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Drug Discovery Intern Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Internship

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$17.75 - $23.50/hr

Leading pharmaceutical companies like Eli Lilly, Pfizer, and Novartis are rapidly adopting our platform to power their drug discovery programs. Our mission is to accelerate progress towards new cures ...

... drug discovery leads. You need to understand both the AI/ML research community and the biotech ... You have experience building university partnerships or intern/new-grad pipelines * You have a ...

... drug discovery leads. You need to understand both the AI/ML research community and the biotech ... You have experience building university partnerships or intern/new-grad pipelines * You have a ...

... drug discovery leads. You need to understand both the AI/ML research community and the biotech ... You have experience building university partnerships or intern/new-grad pipelines * You have a ...

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Drug Discovery Intern information

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How much do drug discovery intern jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 28, 2026, the average hourly pay for drug discovery intern in the United States is $17.04, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.42 and $19.23 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a drug discovery intern do?

A Drug Discovery Intern assists research teams in the early stages of developing new pharmaceutical compounds. Their tasks often include conducting laboratory experiments, analyzing data, and supporting the design and screening of potential drug candidates. They work under the supervision of experienced scientists and may also help with documenting findings and maintaining lab equipment. This role provides valuable hands-on experience in pharmaceutical research and helps interns understand the drug development process.

What types of projects and daily tasks can a drug discovery intern expect to work on?

As a Drug Discovery Intern, you can expect to participate in various stages of early research and development, such as conducting laboratory experiments, analyzing biological data, and assisting with compound screening. Daily tasks often include preparing samples, maintaining lab equipment, documenting results, and collaborating with researchers on ongoing projects. Interns typically work under the supervision of senior scientists and have opportunities to attend team meetings, present findings, and learn about the drug discovery pipeline. This hands-on experience helps interns develop technical skills and gain insight into collaborative research environments in the pharmaceutical industry.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a drug discovery intern, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Drug Discovery Intern, you generally need a background in chemistry, biology, or a related field, along with foundational laboratory skills. Familiarity with laboratory information management systems (LIMS), analytical instruments like HPLC or mass spectrometry, and basic data analysis software is typically required. Strong attention to detail, problem-solving abilities, and effective teamwork are standout soft skills in this role. These competencies are vital for accurately conducting experiments, analyzing results, and contributing meaningfully to the fast-paced and collaborative environment of drug discovery.
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What cities are hiring for Drug Discovery Intern jobs?

Cities with the most Drug Discovery Intern job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Drug Discovery jobs?

The most popular types of Drug Discovery jobs are:

What states have the most Drug Discovery Intern jobs?

States with the most job openings for Drug Discovery Intern jobs include:

Infographic showing various Drug Discovery Intern job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 76% Full Time, 20% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $35,436 per year, or $17 per hour.

Compound Management Intern

San Diego, CA • On-site

Kumquat Biosciences Inc
Biotechnology Research and Development • 11 - 50 employees

$22/hr

Part-time, Internship

This job post has expired 4 days ago. Applications are no longer accepted.


Job description

Description

Part Time: 15-20 hours/week


Kumquat Biosciences is discovering and developing small molecule drugs that target signal transduction networks for the treatment of cancer and other diseases. Through partnerships with academic and industry experts, we are translating chemical and biological insights into highly targeted, novel drugs. Compound management is an essential component to that drug discovery. It encompasses the preparation of samples for testing and maintenance of a library of compounds.


Our team has a proven track record of drug discovery and development, having played pivotal roles in the discovery of clinical-stage compounds for the treatment of cancer and immune-mediated inflammatory diseases.


We are currently seeking a Compound Management Intern to join our experienced drug development team in San Diego. This position is ideal for a student looking to gain some experience working in a lab setting. 


Primary responsibilities of this position may include:

  • Compound library management and organization
  • Compound stock solution preparation
  • Compound QC using LC/MS and reporting the QC results
  • Registration of chemicals / reagents into inventory database and organizing chemical storage
  • Ordering consumables for chemistry lab
  • Solvent preparation for instruments
  • General laboratory organization and cleanliness tasks
  • Shipping and receiving
  • General operations tasks

Requirements

  • Detail-oriented with good communication skills
  • Ability to prioritize activities to execute daily, weekly, and monthly tasks
  • Chemistry/biology major preferred
  • Ideal candidates will have taken organic chemistry and related chemistry laboratory courses


Time Requirements:

  • 15-20 hours/week
  • Must be available Monday, Tuesday, Thursday for at least 4 hours 

Kumquat is an equal opportunity employer and encourages potential or current employees to request a reasonable accommodation under federal, state and local regulations, should one be needed.