Research Intern at Michigan Medicine, USA | Life Science | Apply Now
If you are a recent graduate looking for a high-impact Research Intern experience that serves as a bridge to medical or graduate school, the laboratory of Dr. Matthias Wolf at the University of Michigan is offering a premier opportunity. This Life Science Job focuses on the “frontiers of renal physiology,” specifically investigating how the kidney handles electrolytes to prevent diseases like kidney stones, chronic kidney disease, and diabetes mellitus. By joining this highly dynamic team during its transition to Ann Arbor, you will gain hands-on expertise in molecular biology and whole-animal physiology, making this a cornerstone for your future University of Michigan career.
About The Organisation
The University of Michigan Medical School is a cornerstone of the university’s prestige. It is part of Michigan Medicine, a massive healthcare complex that integrates patient care with groundbreaking discoveries. By joining this Life Science Job, you gain access to high-level core facilities, including the Mouse Metabolic Phenotyping Core and the Michigan Diabetes Research Center, which provide specialized tools for metabolic and physiological studies.
About the Research & The Wolf Lab
Dr. Matthias Wolf’s laboratory is dedicated to understanding the tubular handling of electrolytes. The team investigates how abnormalities in calcium and magnesium regulation lead to human disease.
- Ion Channel Regulation: The project explores the modification of renal ion channels and their interaction with abundant urinary proteins like Uromodulin and Mucin-1.
- Metabolic Impact: Researchers study how the dysregulation of these proteins alters homeostasis, influencing systemic metabolism and the risk for kidney stones.
- A Growing Team: The laboratory is currently moving to the University of Michigan, offering a unique “ground-floor” opportunity for a Research Intern to help establish operations in a world-class medical school environment.
Key Responsibilities For Research Intern
This role is designed for a researcher who wants to acquire a diverse technical toolkit. You will work directly with senior scientists on complex problems in renal physiology.
Molecular & Genetic Analysis
- Genotyping: Perform PCR for the genotyping of genetically modified mouse models.
- Quantitative Analysis: Execute quantitative PCR (qPCR) to measure gene expression levels related to ion channel regulation.
- Data Stewardship: Collect, document, and analyze scientific data, participating in high-level discussions regarding interpretation with your supervisor.
Physiological & Metabolic Studies
- Whole-Animal Work: Conduct whole-animal physiology studies using specialized metabolic cages to track electrolyte excretion.
- Tolerance Testing: Perform glucose and insulin tolerance tests to evaluate the metabolic consequences of renal dysregulation.
- Animal Husbandry: Support animal body fluid testing and general animal husbandry in collaboration with the Animal Care & Use Program (ULAM).
Qualifications & Requirements: Entrance-Level Opportunities
This position is explicitly designed for a “talented researcher” seeking an entrance-level role to acquire experience in biological sciences before moving on to MD or PhD programs.
- Education: Bachelor’s degree or above with a life science-related major (Biology, Biochemistry, etc.).
- Mindset: You should be curious, patient, and highly motivated to transition into an independent role over time.
- Technical Interest: A high interest in applying mouse models to identify new therapies for human diseases is essential.
- Collaboration: You must be a team player with strong work ethics, capable of interacting with the Michigan Diabetes Research Center and the Mouse Metabolic Phenotyping Core.
In summary, this Research Intern position in the Wolf Lab is an exceptional Life Science Job for those looking to master the intricacies of renal ion channels and whole-animal metabolism. By starting your University of Michigan career here, you gain the technical skills (qPCR, metabolic phenotyping, and genotyping) and the collaborative network necessary to excel in the next stage of your medical or scientific education.
