For 75 years, Charles River employees have worked together to assist in the discovery, development and safe manufacture of new drug therapies. When you join our family, you will have a significant impact on the health and well-being of people across the globe. Whether your background is in life sciences, finance, IT, sales or another area, your skills will play an important role in the work we perform. In return, we'll help you build a career that you can feel passionate about.
Job Summary
BASIC SUMMARY:
The Continuous Improvement Intern will support operational excellence initiatives within a biomanufacturing environment by participating in a structured Operational Excellence (OpEx) Cohort alongside 2-4 site employees. Over the course of a 12-week internship, the intern will receive hands-on exposure to process improvement methodologies, operational excellence tools, and project management skills. The role includes dedicated time to learn and understand an assigned site process, actively contribute to a continuous improvement project, and present outcomes to site leadership. Working under the guidance of the OpEx team, the intern will help identify process pain points, evaluate root causes, develop proposed solutions, and support implementation planning to enhance site efficiency, quality, and performance.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Demonstrate strong communication, collaboration, and critical thinking when working with cross-functional site employees.
Uphold site safety standards, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), and all applicable compliance requirements.
Maintain professional conduct and confidentiality throughout work on proprietary processes or data.
Actively engage in learning, feedback sessions, and developmental activities provided as part of the internship program.
Perform other duties as assigned.
The pay range for this position is $16.00 - 19.00 per hour. Please note that salaries vary within the range based on factors including, but not limited to, experience, skills, education, certifications, and location
Position is open to anyone, regardless of age, who meets the educational and experience requirements as posted.
Must be eligible to work in the US without requiring a sponsor visa.
Job Qualifications
EDUCATION AND/OR WORK EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:
Current student pursuing a degree in Engineering, Life Sciences, Operations Management, Business, or a related field.
Coursework or exposure to Lean, Six Sigma, continuous improvement, or process optimization concepts preferred.
Relevant academic or project experience involving data analysis, problem solving, or process evaluation.
Prior internship, coop, or hands-on lab/manufacturing experience (preferred but not required).
Strong communication skills demonstrated through presentations, group projects, or previous work experience.
Ability to work collaboratively in team-based environments such as academic project teams or student organizations.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
Must be able to sit/walk for long periods of time.
Must be able to lift, push, pull to 15 lbs. occasionally.
Must be able to work standing, bending, and reaching overhead occasionally.
About Charles River's CDMO Services
With over 20 years of experience and industry-leading expertise, Charles River's cell and gene therapy Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) group supports biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies in advancing their complex programs from early development through commercialization. Our integrated, phase-appropriate CDMO capabilities-including plasmid DNA, viral vector, and cell therapy manufacturing-enable seamless development and faster timelines. With centers of excellence in the US and UK, we offer GMP-compliant and research-grade solutions, along with comprehensive analytical services and regulatory support. Whether clients need end-to-end development, standalone services, or insourced support, our CDMO team provides custom solutions to meet evolving program needs. From process development in Hanover to viral vector manufacturing in Rockville, large-scale cell therapy production in Memphis, and plasmid DNA services in Keele, we simplify the supply chain and accelerate cell and gene therapy breakthroughs.
About Charles River
Charles River is an early-stage contract research organization (CRO). We have built upon our foundation of laboratory animal medicine and science to develop a diverse portfolio of discovery and safety assessment services, both Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) and non-GLP, to support clients from target identification through preclinical development. Charles River also provides a suite of products and services to support our clients' clinical laboratory testing needs and manufacturing activities. Utilizing this broad portfolio of products and services enables our clients to create a more flexible drug development model, which reduces their costs, enhances their productivity and effectiveness to increase speed to market.
With over 20,000 employees within 110 facilities in over 20 countries around the globe, we are strategically positioned to coordinate worldwide resources and apply multidisciplinary perspectives in resolving our client's unique challenges. Our client base includes global pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology companies, government agencies and hospitals and academic institutions around the world.
At Charles River, we are passionate about our role in improving the quality of people's lives. Our mission, our excellent science and our strong sense of purpose guide us in all that we do, and we approach each day with the knowledge that our work helps to improve the health and well-being of many across the globe. We have proudly worked on 80% of the drugs approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the past five years.
We're committed to providing benefits that elevate your quality of life. Based on your position these may include: bonus/incentives based on performance, 401K, paid time off, stock purchase program, Health and wellness coverage, employee and family wellbeing support programs, and work life balance flexibility.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Charles River is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all qualified applicants and employees without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, mental or physical disability, family status, pregnancy, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.
It is unlawful in some states (including Massachusetts) to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.
If you are interested in applying to Charles River Laboratories and need special assistance or an accommodation due to a disability to complete any forms or to otherwise participate in the resume submission process, please contact a member of our Human Resources team by sending an e-mail message to crrecruitment_US@crl.com. This contact is for accommodation requests for individuals with disabilities only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.
For more information, please visit www.criver.com.
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