Acadia Pharmaceuticals Inc.→
Cybersecurity Intern at Acadia Pharmaceuticals Inc. in San Diego, CA
InternshipHybridFull-timeSan Diego, CA$46k–$46k/yr
Skills
cybersecurityanalytical skillsproblem-solvingmicrosoft office suiteprofessionalismcommunication skillsteamwork skillsorganizational skillstime-management skills
Job Description
Summary: Acadia Pharmaceuticals is committed to making a difference for underserved neurological and rare disease communities through innovative treatments. The Cybersecurity Intern will support the Cybersecurity team by contributing to strategic initiatives and operational projects, providing hands-on experience in a professional pharmaceutical environment.
Responsibilities:
- Help identify and track security weaknesses by reviewing results from scanning tools (systems that check for missing updates, risky settings, or known issues) and document the findings to help verify when fixes are applied
- Support investigation of security incidents (examples: suspicious sign-ins, malware warnings, or phishing emails) by gathering basic details (time, device, user impact) and writing clear notes so others can act quickly
- Learn and practice secure, professional habits such as protecting sensitive information, following documented processes, and asking questions early when something is unclear
- Review and triage security alerts using monitoring software that collects activity from computers and online services (often called a security event monitoring or SIEM tool). Flag items that look unusual and escalate to a mentor when needed
- Own automation project focused on making daily security operations more efficient and consistent to reduce time spent on repetitive tasks by creating a simple, repeatable way to gather and organize securityrelated information that the team reviews regularly
- Participate in team meetings, planning sessions, and strategic discussions to gain exposure to business operations and contribute insights where appropriate
- Demonstrate professionalism, accountability, and alignment with company values in all interactions
- Complete a final presentation summarizing internship contributions and key learnings
Required Qualifications:
- Currently enrolled in an accredited college or university pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems/Information Technology, or Computer Engineering
- Minimum GPA of 3.0 preferred
- Ability to follow a process carefully, pay attention to details, and document work clearly
- Communication and teamwork skills: comfortable asking questions, sharing what you tried, and collaborating with others to solve problems
- Professionalism and integrity when handling sensitive information (security work often involves confidential data)
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to interpret data and identify trends
- Strong organizational and time-management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities
- High level of professionalism, discretion, and ability to maintain confidentiality
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook)
- Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a team-based environment
- Demonstrated initiative, curiosity, and willingness to learn in a fast-paced environment
Preferred Qualifications:
- Minimum GPA of 3.0 preferred
- Prior internship, leadership experience, campus involvement, or project-based work preferred
- Interest in the pharmaceutical and/or biotechnology industry strongly preferred
Required Skills: Cybersecurity, Analytical skills, Problem-solving
Important Skills: Microsoft Office Suite
Nice-to-Have Skills: Professionalism, Communication skills, Teamwork skills, Organizational skills, Time-management skills
Benefits: Competitive base, bonus, new hire and ongoing equity packages, Medical, dental, and vision insurance, Employer-paid life, disability, business travel and EAP coverage, 401(k) Plan with a fully vested company match 1:1 up to 5%, Employee Stock Purchase Plan with a 2-year purchase price lock-in, 15+ vacation days, 13 -15 paid holidays, including office closure between December 24th and January 1st, 10 days of paid sick time, Paid parental leave benefit, Tuition assistance
Benefits
Competitive base, bonus, new hire and ongoing equity packages
Medical, dental, and vision insurance
Employer-paid life, disability, business travel and EAP coverage
401(k) Plan with a fully vested company match 1:1 up to 5%
Employee Stock Purchase Plan with a 2-year purchase price lock-in
15+ vacation days
13 -15 paid holidays, including office closure between December 24th and January 1st
10 days of paid sick time
Paid parental leave benefit
Tuition assistance