Colossal Biosciences Internship Program: Restoring the Past to Protect the Future
Colossal Biosciences is a breakthrough bioscience and genetic engineering company focused on advancing the field of genomics. Colossal creates disruptive technologies for extinct species restoration, critically endangered species protection and the repopulation of critical ecosystems that support the continuation of life on Earth. Every day, people ask how they can join Colossal-or help protect the planet’s biodiversity. Whether drawn to life in the lab, the field, or the classroom, conservation today isn’t a single path. Colossal is building the next generation of conservation tools and is accepting humanity’s duty to restore Earth to a healthier state, while also solving for the future economies and biological necessities of the human condition.
About Colossal Biosciences
Colossal Biosciences endeavors to jumpstart nature’s ancestral heartbeat; to see the woolly mammoth thunder upon the tundra once again, to advance the economies of biology and nutrition, to make humanity more human, and to reawaken the lost wilds of Earth so we, and our planet, can breathe easier. These things, which were not achievable before, are now possible in our laboratories through our breakthroughs in CRISPR and genetic engineering. Colossal expands the boundaries of what is possible with CRISPR and other cutting edge biological engineering technologies, always with a commitment to responsible science and stewardship of our planet’s natural diversity.
The company brings together the greatest minds and leaders in technology, translational medicine, chemical engineering, biotechnology, molecular genetics, and software along with ground breaking entrepreneurs to help guide us on our path. The team at Colossal is committed, colorful, passionate, intelligent, collaborative, creative, experienced, scientific and world-class. That sounds like a lot to fit into one building. That's why we are spread out in several locations that include laboratories, test facilities, academic institutions, libraries and offices. Through it all, however, we maintain a culture of positivity, hope, happiness and belief that we're doing something big. Something Colossal. Colossal has been recognized for world-saving, life-changing, never-before-seen conservation and de-extinction efforts. Because our work is not done in vain-it’s done for the greater good and the health of our planet’s future.
Ben Lamm is the Co-Founder and CEO Of Colossal Biosciences, the world’s first de-extinction company. He is a serial technology entrepreneur driven to solve the most complex challenges facing our planet. For over two decades, Ben has built disruptive businesses that future-proof our world. Prior to Colossal, Ben served as the founder and CEO to a number of companies, including Hypergiant, an enterprise AI software company focused on critical infrastructures, space, and defense acquired by Trive Capital; Conversable, the leading conversational intelligence platform that helps brands reach customers through automated experiences acquired by LivePerson; and Chaotic Moon, a global creative technology powerhouse acquired by Accenture. He was also the Co-founder of Team Chaos, a consumer gaming company acquired by Zynga. Ben is a fellow and on the Board of Trustee at the Explorers Club, whose mission is to promote the scientific exploration of land, sea, air, and space by supporting research and education in the physical, natural, and biological sciences. He also serves as a Scientific Advisory Board member on the Planetary Society and sits on the Advisory Board for the Arch Mission.
George Church, Ph.D. acts as the co-founder and lead genetics advisor for Colossal. He is a professor at Harvard and MIT, runs the Church lab at the Harvard Medical School, and is a Core Faculty member of the Wyss Institute at Harvard where he leads the Synthetic Biology Platform. In 1984 with Wally Gilbert, Church developed the first direct genomic sequencing method and barcode-multiplexing tags. This led to automation and software used for the first cellular genome sequence (Helicobacter) in 1994, which evolved into ‘in-situ sequencing’ (1999) and ‘next-generation sequencing’ (2014). Church then pioneered chip-based DNA libraries, genome editing, and stem cell engineering. He also pioneered new privacy, biosafety, human engineering, environmental, biosecurity, and bioethics strategies and training. For his achievements and direct contributions to genomics and the sciences as a whole, Church has received numerous awards.
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Beth Shapiro is an evolutionary biologist who specializes in the genetics of ice age animals and plants. As Professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at UC Santa Cruz and HHMI Investigator, Beth uses DNA recovered from bones and other remains to study how species evolved through time and how human activities have affected and continue to affect this dynamic process. questions about domestication, admixture, speciation, and pathogen evolution. Her current work develops techniques to recover increasingly trace amounts of DNA such as from environmental and forensic samples. A 2009 MacArthur Fellow, Beth is also an award-winning popular science author and communicator who uses her research as a platform to explore the potential of genomic technologies for conservation and medicine.
Colossal is proudly partnered with some of the greatest teams and organizations from around the globe. Robert Nelsen is a co-founder and a Managing Director of ARCH Venture Partners. He joined ARCH at its founding and played a significant role in the creation, early sourcing, financing and development of more than 150 companies, including 39 which have reached valuations exceeding $1 billion. and all over the world. Because as we step further into perfecting the science of de-extinction, it will always be of vital importance that we unite the greatest minds and research partners available. Each one of our conservation partners is thus vital to the cause, and as our studies lead to breakthroughs in genetics, we'll partner to help save existing species that are either threatened or in need of help.
Internship Program Overview
Colossal Biosciences offers an internship program for students interested in gaining hands-on experience in the rapidly evolving field of genomics and de-extinction. The Colossal Laboratories and Biosciences Internship is available to sophomore-level and above students interested in genomics. As an intern, you will learn about disruptive technologies for extinct species restoration, critically endangered species protection, and the repopulation of critical ecosystems that support the continuation of life on Earth.
Internships are offered in Dallas, TX, and Boston, MA, and run from June - August.
Areas of Internship
Colossal’s teams include experts in Cell Engineering, Stem Cell Biology, Genome Engineering, and Embryology. The company is also expanding Exogenous Development, the team behind innovations like Colossal’s Exo-Pouch-a cutting-edge artificial womb designed to support early-stage marsupial development. This group engineers new tools at the intersection of biology and technology to advance animal science and conservation. One area of focus is bioacoustics, where we use sound and machine learning to monitor wildlife and ecosystems.
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For 2026, Colossal expects to have internships for a variety of roles including:
- Next-Gen Sequencing
- Animal Care
- Bioengineering
- Cellular/Molecular Biology/Genetics
What to Expect as an Intern
Interns at Colossal are immersed in a fast-paced, innovative environment. “Working at Colossal means building the future of species restoration-every day brings a new challenge that no one has faced before,” says Dr. Anna Keyte, Avian Species Director. “Working at Colossal means that you’re always learning,” shares Dr. Leah Brickson, Manager of Computational Sciences.
“Our team is composed of experts from a variety of disciplines, but the number one quality we share is a deep love for animals,” says Stefano Daza Arango, Manager of Conservation Partnerships. “Passion and pragmatism go hand in hand. Colossal’s mission extends beyond the lab. Colossal empowers team members to contribute to the company’s success,” says Amanda Bastawros, VP & Head of Human Resources. “I really look for that sparkle in people’s eyes for the job,” explains Co-founder & CEO Ben Lamm.
Eligibility and Application Information
To qualify for the Colossal Biosciences Internship program, you must:
- Be a current university student in the United States
- Have completed at least 1 year of undergraduate studies (sophomore level or above)
- Possess US work authorization without the need for company assistance in securing a visa
Students that have already graduated prior to 2026 or will be graduating in 2026 are not eligible for internships but may apply to full-time job postings.
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Those interested in a summer 2026 internship with Colossal can express interest here to join our Colossal Summer Internship Talent Community! Applications for a summer 2026 internship with Colossal will close on Friday, March 6th.
Please note: Colossal hosts a very small number of interns each year. Colossal will respond to your application if/when an appropriate internship opportunity becomes available. Updates on your application may not come through until December at the earliest.
Important Dates and Details
- Internship Duration: Interns would ideally start with us sometime in June and finish sometime in August.
- Location: Internships with Colossal will be based on-site in Dallas, TX. We do not provide any housing.
- Application Timeline: Applications for a summer 2026 internship with Colossal will close on Friday, March 6th.
- Interview Period: We do not typically begin interviewing for internships until December or January.
- Communication: As internship opportunities open up, we may reach out to you. Otherwise the only communication you will receive is confirmation that we received your application. Once all internship decisions have been made, a final update will go out.
Colossal's Commitment
Colossal is proud to be an equal employment opportunity workplace. We welcome people from all backgrounds as well as celebrate and support diversity. We are committed to providing an inclusive environment of mutual respect that is free from discrimination and harassment so everyone can thrive.
Colossal does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms. No fees will be paid for a hired candidate where no pre-existing agreement is in place. We handle most recruitment in-house.
Benefits of Working at Colossal
Colossal is proud to be named a Best Place to Work by BuiltIn for 4 years in a row across multiple categories in 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026:
- #1 on the 50 Best Startups to Work For in Dallas in 2023!
- 100 Best Midsize Places to Work in Dallas in 2024 & 2025
- 100 Best Places to Work in Dallas, TX (All Size Employers) in 2024, 2025, and 2026.
Colossal has also received the Great Place to Work Certification and Most Loved Workplace Certification, including recognition as a most loved workplace for CEO, LGBTQ+ employees, women, and young professionals. Newsweek's Most Loved Workplaces 2024 Award List - Excited to be amongst the winners of Newsweek's 2024 Most Loved Workplaces!
What Colossal Offers Full-Time Employees:
- Medical, dental, and vision coverage
- Excellent paid time off and company holidays so you can rest and recharge
- Flexible spending accounts (FSA)
- Company matched 401k retirement plan
- Paid parental leave at 100% salary for up to 12 weeks
- Education reimbursement
- An opportunity to help us return the Earth to a healthier state
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