Internship Research Assistant Machine Learning Jobs in California

ABOUT US:

Scripps Research is a nonprofit biomedical institute ranked as one of the most influential in the world for its impact on innovation. We celebrated our 100-year legacy in 2024. This significant milestone marks a century of seminal discoveries in immunology, infectious diseases (such as COVID-19, flu, HIV), neuroscience, heart disease, cancer, and more. Located in La Jolla, California, the institute houses six research departments, multiple Nobel laureates, a top-ranked graduate school and a leading postdoctoral training program. Scripps Research encompasses two elite and highly innovative institutes, the Calibr-Skaggs Institute for Innovative Medicines and Scripps Research Translational Institute, which merge foundational studies in biology, chemistry and computer science with translational science to produce pioneering drugs and advances in digital and precision medicine. Together, we cultivate new scientific leaders and expand the frontiers of knowledge to deliver medical breakthroughs impacting human health around the globe. If you have a passion for making a difference, this could be your opportunity to join our transformative team.

POSITION TITLE:  Intern-Research

POSITION SUMMARY: 

The Petrascheck Laboratory at The Scripps Research Institute is seeking a motivated and enthusiastic research intern to assist with projects combining behavioral neuroscience, imaging, and machine learning. This internship offers an excellent opportunity to gain hands-on experience at the intersection of neuroscience, animal behavior, imaging, and artificial intelligence while working in a dynamic research environment.

The successful candidate will contribute to studies involving continuous imaging of mice in their home cages and the analysis of behavioral data using state-of-the-art machine learning approaches. A major component of the work will involve processing and evaluating large image datasets and implementing behavioral tracking and pose-estimation pipelines using SLEAP (Social LEAP Estimates Animal Poses).

Responsibilities:

• Mouse husbandry and setting up the imaging experiments.
• Acquire and manage large-scale image and video datasets generated from home-cage monitoring systems.
• Process, organize, and curate large datasets for downstream analysis.
• Assist with behavioral analysis using machine learning and computer vision tools, including SLEAP.
• Contribute to the analysis of automated behavioral phenotyping workflows.
• Maintain accurate records of experimental and computational work.

The ideal candidate is either:

• Comfortable working with large imaging datasets and computational tools, including machine learning approaches, and/or
• Experienced in handling mice and interested in applying quantitative methods to behavioral neuroscience research.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

• Part-time: Up to 19 hours per week.
• This is a year-round position, not a summer intern or other short-term internship,

COMPENSATION: 

• The expected hiring range for this position is $17.25 to $20.40 per hour, commensurate with experience. Consideration will be given to experience that exceeds the listed requirements.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be currently enrolled in high school, an associate’s program, a bachelors program or masters program.

• To apply, please submit a CV and a brief statement of interest describing your relevant experience and career goals.

Preferred qualifications include one or more of the following: 

• Computer skills and familiarity with data analysis workflows.
• Experience handling and organizing large datasets.
• Interest in machine learning, computer vision, or computational biology.
• Experience working with laboratory mice or willingness to learn animal handling techniques.
• Ability to work independently while contributing effectively to a collaborative research environment.
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.

The above statements describe the level of work performed and expected in general terms.  The statements are not intended to list all the responsibilities, duties and/or skills required of employees so classified, and the content herein is subject to change due to the business needs of Scripps Research, with or without notice.   Furthermore, nothing in this job description shall be interpreted to be in conflict with or to eliminate or modify in any way the employment-at-will status of Scripps Research staff. 

EEO Statement:
The Scripps Research Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We promote diversity of thought, culture and background in the fields of science. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristic or status.