About the internship
The internship is scheduled for three months commencing in November 2024, with the exact dates to be settled after the selection process.
One intern will participate SGInnovate's Summation programme, which provides a specialised deep tech apprenticeship experience. The intern will be placed in one of three deep-tech startups:
- Allium Bio
- Peptobiotics
- or CellVec.
The purpose of the Foundation's internship programme is to provide New Zealand tertiary students with an experience of working in a business environment in Asia to gain a better understanding of the people, place and culture of the host country.
Applications close 5pm, 15 August 2024
About SGInnovate
SGInnovate is a Singapore government-backed investor and ecosystem builder focusing on deep-technology development. The company builds and scales deep-tech startups into high potential companies.
SGInnovate recently launched Deep Tech Talent Central, Singapore’s only one-stop gateway addressing talent and startups needs.
About Summation
Summation is a deep-tech internship programme where top talent is placed with high-potential startups in Singapore. Summation works with several deep tech startups across various technologies and industries.
About CellVec Pte Ltd
CellVec is a certified GMP (good manufacturing practices) gene therapy contract development and manufacturing organisation that is a specialist provider of custom viral vectors for pre-clinical and clinical applications.
Functional evaluation of a novel allogeneic platform
The purpose of this programme of work is to develop off-the-shelf CAR-T cell therapies derived from healthy donor T cells to address limitations in current autologous approaches.
Challenges include graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), allo-rejection, and product durability. The project focuses on optimising allogeneic cellular platforms by exploring various immune cell sources and enhancing manufacturing efficiencies.
What the intern will do
The intern will be required to perform:
- standard tissue culture techniques
- biochemical and molecular biology assays such as RNA extraction
- real-time PCR ELISA (Polymerase chain reaction-enzyme linked immunosorbent)
- immunological assays and animal work as seen appropriate.
The intern will:
- assist with scientific literature searches for relevant information
- design and execute experiments
- conduct data analysis and risk assessment
- participate in presentations/meetings
- assist with ordering reagents and other common lab duties.
Who we’re looking for/ eligibility
CellVec is seeking a master's graduate with a biotechnology focus.
The successful candidate will be:
- proficient in data mining and text mining
- competent in product development and project management.
- capable in data analytics and landscape analysis.
About Allium Bio
Allium Bio is a biotechnology research industry that focuses on creating better food ingredients by combining natural resources to create safe, sustainable and scalable food products.
What the intern will do
The intern will be involved in researching and fermentation of new mycelium and microalgae co-cultures, with the potential to work in additional areas of research.
Tasks may include:
- designing and conducting fermentation processes
- monitoring ongoing tests and experiments
- collecting, compiling and reporting on data
- organising purchases or replacements for reagents and equipment
- cleaning, maintaining, and preparing lab equipment for research
- coordinating and managing logistics of food samples with external testing labs and clients
- collaborating with the chief technology officer, food scientists and the team to translate lab findings into scalable technologies.
Who we’re looking for/ eligibility
The successful candidate will:
- have a degree/diploma in life science or other bio/ science-related backgrounds
- be experienced in aseptic techniques and fermentation
- be capable of prioritising and planning activities, meeting deadlines
- be able to comprehend and communicate technical concepts and results
- be meticulous, curious and a self-starter.
They must also:
- be New Zealand citizens or have permanent resident status.
- be in good health.
About Peptobiotics
Peptobiotics is a synbio (synthetic biology) startup that develops livestock disease prevention biotechnology for sustainable agri-productivity.
The company focuses on promoting growth and protecting against pathogens using new types of antibiotics alternatives that do not cause resistance.
The intern will work on one of two areas:
- Strain engineering to develop high-productivity microbial cell factory
- Optimisation of fermentation processes for high-value feed additive production
Strain engineering to develop high productivity microbial cell factory
Who we’re looking for/ eligibility
Peptobiotics is looking for final-year undergraduate students, graduate students and recent graduates pursuing a degree in biotechnology.
The successful candidate will
- be proficient in polymerase chain reaction (PRC) procedures
- have a background in synthetic biology, microbiology or molecular biology.
They must also:
- be New Zealand citizens or have permanent resident status.
- be in good health.
What the intern will do
The intern will be using their synthetic biology and molecular biology knowledge to engineer Peptobiotics’ Anti-Microbial Peptide (AMP), producing strains to reach higher productivity.
Training will be provided in experimental design, molecular cloning and microbiology.
Tasks may include:
- molecular cloning to generate strains of interest
- engineering strains to increase production titer
- conducting functional assays such as enzymatic digestion to assess different properties of antimicrobial compounds
- screening of variants to obtain high yield mutants
- small scale fermentation
- protein production and purification.
Optimisation of fermentation processes for high-value feed additive production
Who we’re looking for/ eligibility
The internship is for graduate students and recent graduates pursuing a degree in biotechonlogy, biochemical engineering or a related field.
The successful applicant will be a highly motivated and technically-skilled biopress engineer.
The intern will:
- be proficient in operating bioreactors and related laboratory equipment.
- have a strong analytical skill with experience in data analysis
- have knowledge of downstream processing techniques and equipment.
- have at least one year of hands-on experience in a laboratory setting, preferably with bioreactors or in fermentation-related role.
They must also:
- be New Zealand citizens or have permanent resident status.
- be in good health.
What the intern will do
The project will be focused on innovating and producing high value fermentation products for feedstock applications.
The intern will have an opportunity to do some or all of the following tasks:
Bioreactor opperation and maintenance:
- Set up, operate, and maintain bioreactors for fermentation processes.
- Monitor fermentation parameters and adjust conditions as needed to optimize production.
- Perform routine troubleshooting and maintenance of bioreactor systems.
Data collection and analysis:
- Collect and analyze fermentation data using statistical software to assess process performance and product quality.
- Prepare detailed reports on fermentation outcomes and process improvements.
- Collaborate with the R&D team to refine fermentation protocols based on data insights.
Downstream processing:
- Conduct downstream processing activities including separation, purification, and formulation of fermentation products.
- Ensure the consistency and quality of final product through rigorous testing and validation procedures.
- Scale up successful lab-scale processes to pilot and production scales.
Collaboration and communication:
- Work closely with cross-functional teams, including R&D, to integrate production processes and improve efficiencies.
- Participate in team meetings, presenting data and progress updates on project milestones.
What's covered
The Foundation will cover return airfares and SGInnovate will contribute monthly living allowance and monthly stipends according to the intern’s education level.
The intern will be required to:
- contribute $500 of their own funds to cover some living expenses while offshore
- take out appropriate travel insurance (subsidised by the Foundation).
Management of the programme
The Foundation manages the recruitment process and post-offshore professional development activity.
The Foundation and SGInnovate will jointly deliver pastoral care to provide for the intern’s professional development and overall welfare.
Key dates
- Applications must be submitted by 5pm, 15 August 2024.
- Shortlisted applicants will be notified by late September.
- Shortlisted applicants will be invited to an in-person or online panel interview to select the successful candidate.
- The successful candidate will be advised by early October.
- All selected interns will be supported to attend a group induction day in Auckland in late November 2024.
- The internship will take place between November 2024 and February 2025.
Terms and conditions
Interns are expected participate in Foundation professional development activities and networking events after they return and seek opportunities to share their internship experience. Sharing your experience with others is an important part of this initiative as it enlightens others about the Foundation, the internship programme and developments in Asia.
Successful applicants will be required to agree to the standard Terms and Conditions for Asia New Zealand Foundation funding recipients.
Reporting requirements
Foundation interns are expected to write a 600-word article (with accompanying photos) on their internship that will appear on the Foundation’s website (to be submitted during the internship) and write a final three-page report evaluating the internship experience at the end of the programme.
How to apply
To apply, please fill in our online application form.
You will need to upload a copy of:
- your cv
- your academic transcript
- a cover letter outlining your motivation for applying.
The application form allows you to select your preferred internship host company, but the final decision on where the successful applicant will be placed will be made by SGInnovate.
Applications must be submitted by 5pm, 15 August 2024.
Questions
If you have a question about the internships, please first check our 'What you need to know' page.
If your question is not answered there, email the Foundation’s project officer (internships) Joyce Bonde: jbonde@asianz.org.nz.