ASPIRE Intern – Immunology: Sympathetic Regulation of Lymphocyte Development in the Bone Marrow

ASPIRE Intern – Immunology: Sympathetic Regulation of Lymphocyte Development in the Bone Marrow

The mission of the Allen Institute is to understand the principles that govern life and to advance health. Our creative and multi-dimensional teams focus on answering some of the biggest questions in bioscience. We accelerate foundational research, catalyze bold ideas, develop tools and models, and openly share our science to make a broad, transformational impact on the world.

The mission of the Allen Institute for Immunology is to advance the fundamental understanding of human immunology through the study of immune health and diseases where excessive or impaired immune responses drive pathological processes. The Institute will employ a multi-disciplinary team approach in collaboration with academic centers of human immunology to generate novel mechanistic insights into the immune synapse in health and in diseases such as autoimmunity or oncology. The Institute will simultaneously provide a foundational data set and tools for future immunological research as well as a novel collaboration portal for the broader scientific community.

The generation of protective immunity depends upon the continual output of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) in the bone marrow. HSCs can give rise to common lymphoid progenitors (CLPs), which differentiate into immature B cells, NK cells, or migrate to the thymus and mature into T cells. The process of HSC and lymphocyte development is tightly regulated by signals from the bone marrow niche, including cytokines, adhesion molecules, and stromal cell–derived factors that govern proliferation, survival, and retention.

We are seeking an intern to join the Tissue Immunity and Neuroimmune Interactions (TINI) team to investigate the role of the nervous system in lymphocyte development in the bone marrow. Beyond classical stromal regulation, evidence suggests that the sympathetic nervous system shapes the development of HSCs and lymphocytes in the bone marrow. The bone marrow is densely innervated by tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)–positive sympathetic fibers, which release noradrenaline (NA) to modulate HSC mobilization and circadian trafficking. Chemical sympathetic denervation using 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) has been found to reduce the frequency of immature B cells in the bone marrow, suggesting that NA signaling may also directly influence early lymphocyte development. However, whether developing lymphocytes express functional β-adrenergic receptors and respond to sympathetic cues remains unknown.

Within this framework, the mentee will explore the spatial, molecular, and functional relationships between sympathetic nerves and developing lymphocytes in the bone marrow. Specific aims include:

1. Spatial Mapping: Apply advanced 3D confocal microscopy to visualize and quantify the proximity of lymphocytes (B cells, NK cells, T cells) to TH⁺ sympathetic nerve fibers in whole-mounted femurs. This builds on the group’s established workflows for imaging sympathetic innervation in murine tissues.

2. β-Adrenergic Receptor Profiling: Assess the expression of β-adrenergic receptors (Adrb1 and Adrb2) on developing lymphocyte subsets sorted from bone marrow via quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR)

3. Functional Studies: Activate TH⁺ sympathetic neurons using the hM3Dq DREADD (Designer Receptor Exclusively Activated by Designer Drugs) mouse model to determine whether neuronal stimulation alters lymphocyte frequencies or maturation states in the bone marrow, analyzed via high-dimensional spectral flow cytometry

If changes in immune cell abundance or phenotype are detected upon sympathetic nerve activation, the project will expand to mechanistic studies investigating alterations in bone-marrow niche factors that may underlie these effects. Through this work, the mentee will gain hands-on experience in advanced microscopy, cell sorting, and immunophenotyping, while contributing to a broader effort to define how neuronal signals shape immunity across tissue microenvironments.

At the Allen Institute, we believe that science is for everyone – and should be open to everyone. We are dedicated to combating biases and reducing barriers to STEM careers more broadly. 

We also believe that science is better when it includes different perspectives and voices. We strive to make the Allen Institute a place where everyone feels like they belong and are empowered to do their best work in a supportive environment. 

We are an equal-opportunity employer and strongly encourage people from all backgrounds to apply for our open positions.

Applications must be received by January 12, 2026, to be considered.

Educational Objectives

• Develop a general understanding of neuroimmunology and advanced approaches used to study interactions between nerves and immune cells
• Gain exposure to in vivo experimental work and develop skills handling animals and processing tissues
• Gain experience in immunofluorescence staining and confocal microscopy, spectral flow cytometry, and RNA extraction/qRT-PCR
• Learn to read both immunology literature and computational methods critically and incorporate findings into analysis
• Communicate progress and findings to relevant teams within the Allen Institute. Develop and improve upon presentation and writing skills

Required Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree
• Demonstrated commitment to science

Work Environment 

• Laboratory environment - possible exposure to chemical, biological, or other hazardous substances. 
• Possible exposure to BioSafety Level 2 organisms, such as recombinant viruses
• This may include wearing personnel protective equipment (PPE) - including wearing respiratory protection for long periods of time 
• Working with dry ice or liquid nitrogen
• Sample handling of the following material, including but not limited to: human whole blood, PBMC, plasma, nucleic acids, and cells

Animal Care Services 

• Exposure to and handling of laboratory animals required
• Administration of compounds to mice (iv, ip, sc, po, im, ro, icv)
• Perform health assessments of mice
• Perform euthanasia and tissue collections

Physical Demands

• Occasional lifting up to 30 pounds
• Fine motor movements in fingers/hands to operate computers and other office equipment
• Repetitive motion with lab equipment
• Push/pull up to 50 pounds
• Stooping, bending, crouching 
• Reaching, or climbing ladders 

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

• This role is currently working onsite and is expected to work onsite for the majority of working hours. The primary work location for this role is 615 Westlake Ave N., with flexibility to work remotely on a limited basis.

Additional Eligibility Qualifications 

• Must have completed a Bachelor’s degree prior to the start of the program, and no earlier than December 1, 2023, and must not have an advanced degree in field relevant to the role/project
• Must be able to start in June or July 2026 and commit to the full one-year program, which will end on May 28, 2027
• Must be authorized to work in the U.S. for the program duration
• Must be 18 years of age or older

Additional Comments

• ASPIRE Interns are expected to participate as fully-engaged team members, attending and participating in team meetings, presenting on their work, etc.
• Aside from program activities, interns are expected to work full-time as regular team members unless otherwise approved by their manager
• **Please note, this opportunity offers relocation assistance**
• **Please note, this opportunity requires U.S work authorization and does not sponsor work visas**

Annualized Salary

• $61,048 (non-negotiable)

Benefits

• ASPIRE Interns (and their families) are eligible to enroll in benefits per eligibility rules outlined in the Allen Institute’s Benefits Guide. These benefits include medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance. Employees are also eligible to enroll in the Allen Institute’s 401k plan. Paid time off is also available as outlined in the Allen Institutes Benefits Guide. Details on the Allen Institute’s benefits offering are located at the following link to the Benefits Guide: https://alleninstitute.org/careers/benefits.

It is the policy of the Allen Institute to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, the Allen Institute will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.