Lab Intern
About the Company
PEAK is the source of superior genetics to the URUS brands and the world. PEAK develops and produces elite bovine genetics and industry-leading reproductive products through genetic programs, production, and research and development. PEAK people are in multiple countries and locations and have an extensive level of expertise, including genetics, operations, research, and data management.
PEAK is a part of URUS Group LP. As a holding company with cooperative and private ownership, URUS is a family of businesses at the heart of the dairy and beef industry – Alta Genetics, GENEX, Jetstream Genetics, PEAK, SCCL and VAS. Each of these organizations has its own unique identity, products, and services. These companies work globally to provide cutting-edge dairy and beef genetics, customized reproductive services to maximize conceptions, dairy management information to take producers to the frontline of progressive dairy farming, and an array of products and services to help bovines reach their full genetic potential. URUS Group has 25 operating companies in 14 countries, $400 million turnover, and employs approximately 2,000 people.
The Opportunity
Come and join PEAK for a paid internship program in the cattle AI industry. As a global company with multiple semen production centers across the globe we provide superior beef and dairy genetics to our clients.
You will learn more on world-class cattle genetics, progressive male reproductive solutions, and advance your knowledge of a Global AI Center business. You will be working side-by-side with laboratory and research staff as well as in a team of interns at the different production sites to enhance your knowledge in the cattle AI industry. You will be able to grow your professional skills while experiencing to work in a global company. At the end of the program you will visit other URUS production sites and present the results of the project to management.
Our production centers are in Ithaca, NY, Shawano, WI, Watertown, WI, Billings, MT and Calgary, Canada. Housing accommodations may be arranged if needed. Must have your own vehicle.
Primary Responsibilities
• Intern will be responsible for a project in that relates to lab production and semen quality with focus on data analysis
• Assist in semen collection by preparing AVs, including building, washing, and sanitizing
• Assist in the preparation of the semen extender
• Work with other lab employees to dilute semen and place in straw packaging
• Work with microscopes to evaluate motility and morphology o semen
• Work on an assigned research project that relates to lab production and semen quality
• May be asked to work with flow cytometry and IVOS systems
• General laboratory maintenance and cleaning
• Administrative tasks, including data entry
• Assist with cryopreservation of semen
• Perform quality control evaluations
Candidate Profile
Knowledge & Experience
- Be self-motivated and be able to work in a team
- Excellent communication skills
- Have an interest in bovine AI industry
- Be comfortable working with liquid Nitrogen and bull semen
- Able to work full time (40 hours/week) during the program during the summer
Skills & Competencies
- Good data analysis skills with focus on MS Excel, knowledge of statistics is considered an asset
Education
- Currently enrolled or completed courses in Animal Breeding, Genetics, Animal Science, Dairy Science, Agriculture Business, or any related fields.
Company Culture Alignment
- Trust – We choose to be vulnerable, speak up, and dare to be wrong
- Transparency – We choose to be open and share
- Empowerment – We choose to encourage people to own their decisions
- Challenge – We choose to question and be questioned for better performance
- Accountability – We choose to follow through and hold each other to that standard
- Act – We choose to execute our plans when we’re confident they will work
- Results – We choose results over comfort and popularity