Bioinformatics &
Computational Biology Internships
Whether you're an undergrad, Master's student, or PhD candidate, here's everything you need to know about landing an internship in biotech and pharma.
Internship Pay Rates (Hourly)
Based on current job postings from Amgen, Genentech, Biogen, and others
Who Are Internships For?
Bioinformatics and computational biology internships are available to students at all academic levels, from undergraduates to PhD candidates. Contrary to what you might expect, even undergraduate interns work on real, impactful projects—not busywork. At companies like Amgen and Genentech, undergrad interns build AI-powered tools, develop data pipelines, and write production code that scientists actually use. Graduate students typically take on more research-focused projects involving machine learning model development, genomic analysis, and drug discovery. Most top pharma and biotech companies—including Genentech, Amgen, Biogen, and Moderna—actively recruit interns from universities across the country, looking for students with backgrounds in biology, computer science, statistics, or related quantitative fields.
Undergraduates
Rising juniors and seniors in Biology, CS, Bioinformatics, or related fields.
Master's Students
Students between year 1-2 of MS in Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, or Statistics.
PhD Candidates
Graduate students in computational fields. Most ML/AI and drug discovery roles require this.
Common backgrounds: Biology, Computer Science, Bioinformatics, Biostatistics, Mathematics, Chemistry, Physics
Duration & Timing
Most bioinformatics internships in the pharmaceutical and biotech industry follow a 10-12 week summer format, running from May or June through August. These are full-time positions (40 hours per week) and are almost always paid. Some companies also offer 6-month co-op programs that provide deeper immersion into research projects and are popular with students who can take a semester off from their studies. The application window typically opens in late summer (August) and runs through early spring (March), but competitive positions at top companies like Genentech and Biogen often fill by December—so applying early gives you the best chance of landing your preferred role.
Summer Internships
10-12 weeks
- • When: May/June - August
- • Hours: Full-time (40 hrs/week)
- • Format: Mostly on-site, some hybrid
Co-op Programs
6 months
- • Spring: January - June
- • Fall: July - December
- • Hours: Full-time (40 hrs/week)
Application Timeline: Apply August - March for summer programs. Earlier is better - many positions fill by December!
What Will You Do?
As a bioinformatics or computational biology intern, you'll work on real research projects that directly contribute to drug discovery and development. Unlike academic internships, industry positions give you hands-on experience with proprietary datasets, cutting-edge tools, and cross-functional teams of scientists and engineers. Common projects include analyzing genomic and single-cell sequencing data, building machine learning models for drug target identification, developing AI-powered tools for clinical safety assessments, and statistical programming for clinical trials.
Most internships culminate in an end-of-program presentation where you share your findings with senior scientists and leadership. You'll also have a dedicated mentor who guides your work and helps you navigate the company. Below are real project examples from current job postings:
Genomic Analysis
"Analyze single-cell atlases spanning multiple cancer types to identify tissue-specific patterns"
Genentech - Regev Lab
AI/ML Development
"Build GPT-powered workflows for safety assessments, integrating literature, -omics, and internal datasets"
Amgen - R&D AI
Statistical Programming
"SAS programming for clinical trial data analysis, working with CDISC standards (SDTM, ADaM)"
Biogen - Statistical Programming
Drug Discovery
"Machine learning for small-molecule drug discovery, working with computational chemistry team"
Takeda - Computational Sciences
LLM-based Agents
"Develop AI agents that transform scientific knowledge into reusable tools and workflows"
Genentech - Prescient Design
Common themes: Cross-functional collaboration with scientists and engineers, end-of-internship presentation, dedicated mentorship
Top Companies Hiring Interns
The leading pharmaceutical and biotech companies recruit bioinformatics interns from top universities each year. These companies offer competitive pay, mentorship from industry experts, and the opportunity to work on cutting-edge research in areas like genomics, machine learning for drug discovery, and clinical data science. Major biotech hubs include Boston/Cambridge (home to Moderna, Biogen, and Takeda), the San Francisco Bay Area (Genentech, Ginkgo Bioworks), and San Diego. Many companies also offer remote or hybrid internship options. Based on our current job listings, here are the top companies actively hiring bioinformatics and computational biology interns:
How to Apply
Landing a bioinformatics internship requires early preparation and a strong application. Unlike academic positions, industry internships have structured recruiting cycles that begin months before the actual start date. The most competitive programs at companies like Genentech and Amgen receive hundreds of applications, so standing out requires a combination of relevant coursework, research experience, and technical skills. Here's a step-by-step guide to maximizing your chances of getting hired:
When to Apply
Apply August - November for summer programs. Don't wait until spring - many positions fill by December.
What You Need
Resume, unofficial transcript, cover letter or research statement. Some companies require a faculty recommendation.
What Helps
Prior research experience (academic lab), GitHub portfolio with projects, relevant coursework in programming/statistics.
Where to Find Openings
Company career pages, our job board, LinkedIn, university career services.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are bioinformatics internships paid?
Yes, all major pharma and biotech internships are paid. Rates typically range from $20-50/hr depending on your education level, the company, and location. Big pharma companies like Amgen, Genentech, and Biogen consistently offer competitive compensation.
Do I need a PhD for a bioinformatics internship?
Not always. Undergrad and Master's students can apply for many positions. However, computational/ML-heavy roles and drug discovery research positions often prefer or require PhD candidates. Check the specific job requirements.
Can international students apply?
Yes, most companies sponsor F-1 and J-1 visas for summer internships. International students studying at US universities are eligible for CPT (Curricular Practical Training) which allows internship work. Check individual job postings for specific requirements.
Are there remote internship options?
Some companies offer remote or hybrid internships (~10% of listings), but most are on-site. Major biotech hubs include Boston/Cambridge, San Francisco Bay Area, San Diego, and Research Triangle Park (NC).
What skills do I need?
Core skills include Python and/or R programming, statistics, and genomics/biology knowledge. For computational roles, experience with machine learning, data analysis, or bioinformatics pipelines is valuable. SAS is helpful for clinical/statistical programming roles.
When should I apply?
For summer internships, the application window is typically August through March. However, many competitive positions fill by December, so apply early. Set up job alerts and check company career pages starting in late summer.
Ready to Find Your Internship?
Browse current bioinformatics and computational biology internship openings from top pharma and biotech companies.