2027 Future Talent Program – Biologics Process Research & Development Intern

Merck; South San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 40,000 - 111,000; Part time

Job summary

Merck is offering summer internships in the Biologics Process Research and Development division for 10–12 weeks, with projects across PCS, BPD, and USMO. Interns will collaborate in state-of-the-art labs to develop bioprocess technologies and tackle challenges in biopharmaceutical process development.

Candidates must be currently enrolled in a relevant Bachelor's, Master’s, or PhD program with strong academics, teamwork, and communication skills.

Qualifications

• Currently enrolled in a Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD program in a related field.
• Strong academic performance and teamwork.
• Availability for 10–12 consecutive weeks in May/June 2027.

Responsibilities

• Work in Biologics Process Research and Development across PCS, BPD and USMO.
• Record experimental details in electronic notebooks and analyze data.
• Present research results in oral and written formats.

Education

Bachelor's/Master's/PhD in Chemistry, Biology, Biochemistry, Engineering, Materials Science, Pharmaceutical Science or related

Tools

CAD

DCS/PLC

Data historians

P&IDs

Job description

Job Description

The Future Talent Program features internships that last 10-12 weeks and will include one or more projects. These opportunities in our Research 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 on a quest for cures and is committed to being the world’s premier, most research-intensive biopharmaceutical company. Today, we’re doubling down on this goal. Our Research & Development Division is a true scientific research facility of tomorrow and will take our company’s leading discovery capabilities and world-class small molecule, vaccines, and biologics R&D expertise to create breakthrough science that radically changes the way we approach serious diseases.

Our Research & Development Division's Biologics Process Research and Development (BPR&D) department is seeking summer interns who will work collaboratively in a team environment at our state-of-the-art laboratories to develop novel bioprocess technologies and solve key challenges in biopharmaceutical process development and manufacturing. BPR&D is responsible for developing manufacturing processes and associated technologies for our company's biologics pipeline. BPR&D includes three main technical functional areas/groups: Process Cell Sciences (PCS) which also interfaces with our company’s discovery teams, Biologics’ Process Development (BPD) which includes both upstream and downstream bioprocessing, and US-based Manufacturing Operations (USMO). This job posting covers opportunities for interns in all the above three functional areas.

The Summer Interns Will Be Exposed To

• Fundamentals of bioprocessing, which are necessary to solve problems as a member of an integrated team in support of the large molecule pipeline at our company.


• Expert groups in the areas of cell line development and engineering, upstream and downstream process development, high throughput screening, media development, -omics, and continuous bioprocessing


• State-of-the-art bioprocessing approaches, automation and engineering technologies, equipment, and facilities used for manufacturing modern biopharmaceuticals.

The interns in BPR&D will also participate in departmental and project team meetings to provide a broad perspective on the drug development process in the pharmaceutical industry. The interns will be responsible for accurate electronic notebook recording of experimental details and for analysis and interpretation of data that may be used for internal or external scientific publications which may follow from the internship. Interns will have the opportunity to gain further knowledge, and skillsets via refinement of laboratory skills, introduction to new experimental techniques, exposure to current challenges in bioprocess research, and perspectives on the practical aspects of drug development. In addition, the intern student will have an opportunity to present their research results in both oral and written formats.

This is a full-time internship position wherein we are seeking intern candidates at all levels with strong academic performance, communication skills, teamwork, and the ability to work in a multi-functional and fast-paced environment.

Locations

Rahway, NJ; Boston, MA; South San Francisco, CA

Education

• Required: Candidates must be a currently enrolled student pursuing a Bachelor's, Master’s, or PhD degree in Chemistry, Biology (e.g. Cell Biology, Virology), Biochemistry, Engineering (Chemical, Mechanical, Electrical), Materials Science, Pharmaceutical Science or a related discipline.

Required Experience And Skills

• Candidates must be available to work full-time for 10-12 consecutive weeks beginning in May or June of 2027


• Candidates must have completed at least 2 years of study toward a Bachelor’s degree by June 2027

Preferred Experience And Skills

• Candidates should have significant interest in biopharmaceuticals or facilities/maintenance.


• Candidates should have basic laboratory skills (lab notebook recording, use of instrumentation, analysis and interpretation of data, and safe lab practices), research experience, along with a problem-solving attitude.


• For USMO - Candidates should have familiarity with engineering tools such as computer-aided design (CAD) software, Distributed Control Systems (DCS)/ Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC), data historians and piping & Instrumentation Diagrams (P&IDs)


• Candidates should have skills in data science, computational biomolecular modeling, and machine learning


• Candidates should have a GPA of 3.0 or higher (preferred)

Please note that this position may be closed before the posted end date or may remain open longer, at the discretion of the company.

Salary Range

The salary range for this role is $39,908 - $111,111

FTP2027

RL2027

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:

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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

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

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)

n/a

Job Posting End Date

10/31/2026

• 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:

R419589