2027 Future Talent Program - Bioprocess Clinical Manufacturing & Technology Co-Op

Merck; West Point (PA); Hybrid; USD 40,000 - 111,000; Part time

Job summary

Merck & Co., Inc. invites candidates to participate in a 4-6 month co-op within the Vaccines and Advanced Biotechnologies Process R&D division, at the West Point Biologics Pilot Plant.

Reporting to a project mentor, you may contribute to automation, process operations, or capital sub-teams, spanning GMP and documentation tasks. You will gain hands-on experience in a GMP manufacturing environment, with opportunities to develop software, learn new techniques, and collaborate across teams while

Qualifications

• Must be enrolled in a BS/BA program in engineering, CS, data science, chemistry, biology, or related discipline.
• Ability to work independently and in a team, with self-motivation and adaptability.
• Strong organization, interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop code for process control, monitoring, and visualization for automation projects.
• Support GMP documentation, change controls, and equipment testing in a bioprocess setting.
• Assist with equipment qualification, validation, and site documentation.

Skills

Teamwork

Self-motivation

Adaptability

Communication

Record-keeping

Education

BS/BA in Engineering, Computer Science, Data Science, Chemistry, Biology

Tools

Python

PLC/DeltaV

Job description

Job Description

The Future Talent Program features Cooperative (Co-op) education that lasts 4-6 months 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 Research Scientists and Engineers are our inventors. We identify and target steps in disease mechanisms or pathways that could be inhibited or enhanced. Our goal is to isolate a compound that is effective against a disease target. Using innovative thinking, state-of-the-art facilities, and robust scientific methodology we collaborate to discover the next medical breakthrough.

We are seeking candidates for a co-op opportunity in our company's Vaccines and Advanced Biotechnologies Process R&D division. Specifically, this candidate would work within West Point’s Biologics Pilot Plant (BPP) GMP clinical manufacturing facility. Under the direction of a project mentor, a successful candidate may work on initiatives within either the automation, process operations, or capital sub-team in the BCMT (Bioprocess Clinical Manufacturing and Technology) department.

Example Projects/Day To Day Work

• Automation: Develop code for process control, monitoring, and visualization. Develop tools to increase efficiency in the automation group and the BCMT department as a whole. Day-to-day work might include writing code, working on GMP change controls and documentation, and equipment/system testing.
• Process Operations: Knowledge Management overhaul: review and clean-up SharePoint, implement playbooks for new ways of working, update templates for key deliverables. New equipment qualification support. Day-to-day work might include attending team meetings, GMP manufacturing support, equipment testing, and document generation.
• Capital: Equipment specification, installation, testing, and qualification. Day-to-day work may include document generation and field execution of equipment commissioning and qualification.

The successful candidate will be expected to demonstrate the ability to convey the results of their work in both verbal and written formats. In addition to the core duties outlined above, the candidate will be expected to comply with all required training and Quality systems, collaborate across multiple functional teams, and maintain focused attention on safety for themselves and their team.

Education Minimum Requirement

• Candidates must be enrolled in a minimum of a BS/BA in: Engineering, Computer Science, Data Science, Chemistry, Biology, or other relevant discipline.

Required Experience And Skills

• Must have the ability to work independently and as part of a team, self-motivation, adaptability, and a positive attitude.
• Must have ability to learn new techniques, perform multiple tasks simultaneously, keep accurate records, follow instructions, and comply with company policies.
• Must have effective organization, interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills.
• Must be available to work full-time for 4-6 months in 2027 (June - November or March - August)

Preferred Experience And Skills By Group

• Automation: Programming experience especially python and/or process control (PLC, DeltaV, etc.). Previous GMP, manufacturing, and/or equipment experience. A drive to self-learn technologies with initial guidance.
• Process Operations: Proven ability to work in hands-on laboratory or manufacturing setting. Direct experience with cell culture/fermentation and/or downstream purification operations of large molecules (vaccines or biologics).
• Capital: Previous GMP, manufacturing, and/or equipment experience. Engineering degree preferred.

To learn more about the PRD team, click: Join Our Process Research & Development Team

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

PRD

Required Skills

Current Employees apply HERE

Preferred Skills:

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

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

Hybrid

Shift

1st - Day

Valid Driving License

No

Hazardous Material(s)

n/a

Job Posting End Date

10/19/2026

• 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:

R413123