2027 Future Talent Program - Chemical Biology - Co-op

Merck; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 39,000 - 111,000; Full time

Job summary

Merck in Cambridge, MA is offering a Future Talent Program co-op that lasts up to 6 months with one or more projects in our Research & Development Division. The Chemical Biology group seeks a graduate student with strong academic performance, good communication, and the ability to work on cross-functional teams.

The co-op provides hands-on experience in lab settings solving problems in early discovery. The candidate will apply chemical and biological expertise to solve complex problems while

Qualifications

• Currently enrolled graduate student pursuing a Master's or Ph.D. in Chemistry, Chemical Biology, or related field.
• Completed at least two years of studies toward a PhD or equivalent degree by June 2027.
• Available to work full-time for approximately 6 months beginning in mid-2027.
• Self-motivated, creative scientists with strong critical thinking skills and attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Short, multi-step organic synthesis and chemical diversification to generate novel small molecule libraries.
• Collaborate with team members to troubleshoot and improve experiments.
• Analyze and interpret experimental data, maintaining detailed laboratory records.
• Participate in lab meetings and present research findings.
• Consent from PI required; interview may require letters of recommendation, a brief research statement and transcripts.

Skills

Communication skills

Cross-functional teamwork

Critical thinking

Attention to detail

Self-motivated

Education

Master's or Ph.D. in Chemistry/Chemical Biology

Job description

Job Description The Future Talent Program features co-ops that last up to 6 months and will include one or more projects. These opportunities in our Research & Development Division can provide you with great development and a chance to see if we are the right company for your long-term goals.

Job Description The Future Talent Program features co-ops that last up to 6 months and will include one or more projects. These opportunities in our Research & 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's Research Lab's Chemical Biology group within Discovery Chemistry is seeking a co-op with a passion for scientific research, strong academic performance, communication skills, and the ability to work on cross-functional teams. We offer opportunities in our state-of-the-art science laboratories to solve fundamental synthetic or biological problems relevant to drug discovery and development, while functioning as a fully integrated member of the company project teams.

Chemical Biology (Cambridge, MA)

Our Company's Chemical Biology (comprising of chemistry, proteomics, and cell pharmacology) focuses on providing novel, high-quality targets and expanding confidence on molecular mechanism of action for our key assets. The candidate will leverage their chemical and biological expertise to solve complex biological problems while working in both chemistry and biology laboratory spaces. The co-op will provide an opportunity to gain firsthand knowledge on how our Company's Research Labs (RL) uses key technologies to create a synergistic toolbox for early discovery and beyond.

Key Responsibilities

• Short, multi-step organic synthesis and chemical diversification to generate novel small molecule libraries
• Collaborate with team members to troubleshoot and improve experiments
• Analyze and interpret experimental data, maintaining detailed laboratory records
• Participate in lab meetings and present research findings
• Please note when applying for this position, the candidate must have consent from PI. If the candidate is selected for an interview, the applicant must be prepared to submit letters of recommendation, a brief research statement and a copy of transcripts.

Required Education & Experience

• Candidates must be a currently enrolled graduate student pursuing a Master's or Ph.D. in Chemistry, Chemical Biology, or related field
• Candidates must have completed at least two years of studies toward a PhD or equivalent degree by June 2027
• Candidates must be available to work full-time for approximately 6 months beginning in mid-2027
• Self-motivated, creative scientists with strong critical thinking skills and attention to detail

Preferred Experience & Skills

• Some hands-on exposure to mammalian cell culture and standard molecular biology techniques
• Experience designing, optimizing, and developing novel cell-based assays for phenotypic screening is a plus
• Have a good understanding of biology concepts and chemical application to perturb biological systems
• Experience with liquid handlers is a plus
• Candidates should have a GPA of 3.0 or higher

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 $39,108 through $111,111.

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.

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

Not Applicable

Shift

1st - Day

Valid Driving License

No

Hazardous Material(s)

Yes

Job Posting End Date

10/9/2026

• 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.