2027 Future Talent Program - Clinical and Regulatory Strategic Communications - Intern

Merck; Rahway (NJ); Hybrid; USD 40,000 - 111,000; Full time

Job summary

Merck invites applications for the Future Talent Program internship in our Research Labs division. The 12-week experience includes hands-on projects and exposure to how clinical trials are designed, conducted, reported, and disclosed, with mentorship from CRSC professionals.

The role is ideal for students in life sciences or related fields who want to develop scientific writing and communication skills and explore medical writing at a global pharmaceutical leader.

Qualifications

• Must be enrolled in a bachelor’s program in a scientific field and available for 12 weeks starting June 2027.
• Strong Microsoft Office skills.
• Ability to write scientific documents and deliver presentations.

Responsibilities

• Participate in multiple clinical trial communication projects.
• Work under a mentor to gain hands-on and observational experience across CRSC operations.

Skills

Microsoft Office

Scientific writing

Data analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree progress in life sciences

Tools

AI tools (LLMs)

Job description

Job Description

The Future Talent Program features internships that last up to 12 weeks and will include one or more projects. These opportunities in our Research Labs Division can provide you with great development and a chance to see if we are the right company for your long-term goals.

FTP2027

RL2027

About

Seeking a highly motivated individual who is pursuing an education in the life sciences, medicine, pharmacology/pharmacy, quality, operations, data science, or a related field, and who is interested in writing, communicating about medicine and science, and supporting the quality, compliance and operational excellence activities that enable clinical research. The goal of this position is for the individual to gain broad insight into the following:

• The roles of several types of medical writers at a large pharmaceutical company
• The drug development process
• Documents needed to conduct clinical trials and gain approval for new medicines
• Informed consent
• Disclosure of clinical trial information to the public
• Health literacy and plain language concepts
• Quality, compliance, operational excellence, that support clinical research execution

Clinical Regulatory & Strategic Communications (CRSC) is a multidisciplinary organization that plays a critical role in supporting the development of new medicines by creating key clinical and regulatory documents, communicating clinical trial results, and ensuring information is shared responsibly and transparently with regulatory agencies, healthcare professionals, trial participants, and the public.

The department develops and manages essential clinical trial documents, including study protocols, informed consent forms, investigator brochures, clinical study reports, and regulatory summaries. CRSC also supports public disclosure activities by creating technical and plain-language summaries of clinical trial information and results. We also drive quality, compliance, continuous improvement, and adoption of innovative technologies, including artificial intelligence, to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of CRSC operations.

The Summer Intern will participate in a variety of projects and learning experiences that provide exposure to how clinical trials are designed, conducted, reported, disclosed, and supported through quality and operational excellence practices. Working under the guidance of a mentor, the intern will gain both hands‑on and observational experience while collaborating with individuals and teams across the organization.

Required Education And Skills

• Has completed at least 3 years of a bachelor's or equivalent program in a scientific discipline (e.g., life sciences, data science, pharmacy, or medicine) and be currently enrolled in a degree program
• Is available to work full-time for 12 consecutive weeks beginning in June of 2027
• Possesses strong Microsoft Office skills
• Demonstrates strong scientific communication skills, including the ability to write scientific documents (e.g., lab reports, publications, dissertations, theses, abstracts) and deliver scientific presentations

Preferred Experience And Skills

• Motivation to explore a career in medical writing
• Experience using artificial intelligence tools, especially those that use large language models
• Demonstrated critical thinking and problem‑solving capabilities
• Experience collaborating with others on project teams
• Time management skills (e.g. manages multiple projects/assignments & delivers each on time and with high quality, overcomes obstacles that impact project delivery)
• Interest in quality, compliance, operational excellence, data analysis, process improvement, or practical technology use to improve business processes.

Salary Range

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

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.

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.

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

Employee Status:

Intern/Co-op (Fixed Term)

Relocation:

No relocation

VISA Sponsorship:

No

Travel Requirements:

No Travel Required

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Hybrid

Shift:

Not Indicated

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

n/a

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.

Requisition ID:

R412536