Job Description
The Future Talent Program features Cooperative (Co-op) education that lasts up to 6 months and will include one or more projects. These opportunities in our Research and Development Division can provide you with great development and a chance to see if we are the right company for your long-term goals
Our Company is a global leader in healthcare, offering a diverse range of prescription medicines, vaccines, and animal health products. We are committed to building a new kind of healthcare company focused on creating a healthier future for everyone. Our success is driven by the integrity, expertise, creativity, skills, diversity, and collaboration of individuals like you. We foster an environment of mutual respect, support, and teamwork. As part of our global team, you will collaborate with talented professionals while advancing your career.
Internship Overview
The
Future Talent Program (FTP) offers up to
6 month paid co-ops within our Company's Research Labs that provide an excellent opportunity to learn about drug discovery and development, develop new skills, and explore whether our Company aligns with your long-term career goals. We are excited to engage with emerging scientific talent and foster meaningful connections that inspire innovation and shape the future of science and healthcare.
We are looking for candidates passionate about scientific research, with strong academic records, excellent communication and teamwork skills, and the ability to thrive in a cross-functional environment. A solid foundation in applied laboratory science or computer science is essential. Prior research experience in the areas highlighted below would be preferred.
Locations:
- South San Francisco, CA
- Boston, MA
- Cambridge, MA
Application Requirements
Applicants selected for interviews must be prepared to submit letters of recommendation, a brief research statement, and an academic transcript. Please specify your preferred location when applying.
Qualifications
Education:
- Currently pursuing a BS/BA, MS, or Ph.D. in a relevant field with demonstrated interest or experience in drug discovery research
- Completion of at least two years of undergraduate studies (BS/BA) or one year of graduate studies (MS/PhD) by June 2026
- Enrollment in an academic program at the time of application and continuing education for at least one semester after the internship (Fall 2026)
Required Experience And Skills
- Candidate must have basic laboratory skills in molecular biology, cell culture, protein biochemistry, protein expression and purification, or protein characterization (analytical, biophysical, and/or cellular techniques)
- Candidate must have an understanding and training in safe lab practices
- Candidate must have availability for full-time work for up to 6 months during June–November 2026
- Candidate must be committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace culture
Preferred Experience And Skills
- Candidate should have prior laboratory research experience in molecular biology, cell culture, protein biochemistry, protein expression and purification, or protein characterization (analytical, biophysical, and/or cellular techniques)
- Candidate should have experience in protein engineering and/or computational protein engineering and machine learning, especially predictive modeling of protein and antibody structures
- Candidate should have a GPA of 3.0 or higher
Potential Internship Areas
Interns may be assigned to any of the following Discovery Biologics teams, with specific projects and mentors confirmed before the internship begins:
- Antibody Discovery (in vivo or in vitro)
- Cell Engineering/Assay Development
- Protein Characterization and Developability
- Protein Design/Engineering
- Protein Expression and Purification
Please note that this position may be closed before the posted end date or may remain open longer, at the discretion of the company.
Under New York City, Colorado State, Washington State, and California State law, the Company is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the salary range for this job. Final determinations with respect to salary will take into account a number of factors, which may include, but not be limited to the primary work location and the chosen candidate’s relevant skills, experience, and education.
Salary Range
The salary range for this role is $39,600.00-$105,500.00 USD
FTP2026
RL2026
#WE25
#DNiSTEM2025
Current Employees apply HERE
Current Contingent Workers apply HERE
US And Puerto Rico Residents Only
Our company is committed to inclusion, ensuring that candidates can engage in a hiring process that exhibits their true capabilities. Please click here if you need an accommodation during the application or hiring process.
Requirements
As an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, we provide equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. As a federal contractor, we comply with all affirmative action requirements for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. For more information about personal rights under the U.S. Equal Opportunity Employment laws, visit:
EEOC Know Your Rights
EEOC GINA Supplement
We are proud to be a company that embraces the value of bringing together, talented, and committed people with diverse experiences, perspectives, skills and backgrounds. The fastest way to breakthrough innovation is when people with diverse ideas, broad experiences, backgrounds, and skills come together in an inclusive environment. We encourage our colleagues to respectfully challenge one another’s thinking and approach problems collectively.
Learn more about your rights, including under California, Colorado and other US State Acts
U.S. Hybrid Work Model
Effective September 5, 2023, employees in office-based positions in the U.S. will be working a Hybrid work consisting of three total days on-site per week, Monday - Thursday, although the specific days may vary by site or organization, with Friday designated as a remote-working day, unless business critical tasks require an on-site presence.This Hybrid work model does not apply to, and daily in-person attendance is required for, field-based positions; facility-based, manufacturing-based, or research-based positions where the work to be performed is located at a Company site; positions covered by a collective-bargaining agreement (unless the agreement provides for hybrid work); or any other position for which the Company has determined the job requirements cannot be reasonably met working remotely. Please note, this Hybrid work model guidance also does not apply to roles that have been designated as “remote”.
San Francisco Residents Only: We will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records for employment in compliance with the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance
Los Angeles Residents Only: We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance
Search Firm Representatives Please Read Carefully
Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, Rahway, NJ, USA, does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. All CVs / resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at our company without a valid written search agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of our company. No fee will be paid in the event a candidate is hired by our company as a result of an agency referral where no pre-existing agreement is in place. Where agency agreements are in place, introductions are position specific. Please, no phone calls or emails.
Employee Status
Intern/Co-op (Fixed Term)
Relocation:
No relocation
VISA Sponsorship
No
Travel Requirements
No Travel Required
Flexible Work Arrangements
Not Applicable
Shift
1st - Day
Valid Driving License
No
Hazardous Material(s)
Yes
Required Skills
Preferred Skills:
Job Posting End Date
11/3/2025
- A job posting is effective until 11:59:59PM on the day BEFORE the listed job posting end date. Please ensure you apply to a job posting no later than the day BEFORE the job posting end date.
Requisition ID:R362180
