2027 Future Talent Program - Data, AI, and Genome Sciences, Foundation Models - Intern

Merck; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 40,000 - 111,000; Full time

Job summary

Merck invites applications for a Future Talent Program internship in the AI/ML Methods & Modeling group within the DAGS Department in Cambridge, MA. The 10–12 week, full-time opportunity supports genetic/genomic data analysis and biomarker discovery through scalable ML pipelines.

Applicants must be enrolled in a PhD program and demonstrate strong Python and ML framework skills.

Qualifications

• Must be currently enrolled in a PhD degree in Computer Science, Statistics, Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, or related technical field.
• Must be available to work full-time for 10-12 weeks beginning in May or June of 2027.
• Excellent software design and development skills and strong proficiency in Python.
• Strong proficiency in modern ML frameworks (e.g., PyTorch, TensorFlow, JAX) and experience implementing scalable solutions for complex tasks.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to work collaboratively in a multi-disciplinary team.
• Interest in life sciences problems and disease biology, and willing to learn from and teach others.

Responsibilities

• Develop statistical and computational methods/pipelines to analyze genetic and genomic datasets.
• Analyze large-scale human genetic and genomic datasets to facilitate discovery of novel targets and biomarkers of disease risk and progression.
• Work within an integrated, interdisciplinary team supporting validation efforts, including bioinformatic analysis of bulk and single-cell sequencing.

Skills

Python

ML frameworks (PyTorch, TensorFlow, J"

Software design

Communication

Collaborative teamwork

Life sciences interest

Education

PhD in Computer Science/Statistics/Bioinformatics/Computational Biology or related field

Tools

PyTorch

TensorFlow

JAX

Job description

The Future Talent Program within our Research & Development Division Data, AI, and Genome Sciences (DAGS) Department is offering internships that last 10-12 weeks.

We have 1 open position in the AI/ML Methods & Modeling Group.

Candidates can apply for the opportunity to be involved in one or more of the projects listed below. The projects are designed to enable students to further develop their skills and to evaluate if we are the right Company for their long-term goals.

We are seeking highly motivated students with computational skillsets.

Location: Cambridge, MA

Term: Full-time, 12 weeks

AI/ML Methods & Modeling

• Develop statistical and computational methods/pipelines to analyze genetic and genomic datasets.
• Analyze of large-scale human genetic and genomic datasets to facilitate discovery of novel targets and biomarkers of disease risk and progression.
• Work within an integrated, interdisciplinary team supporting validation efforts, including bioinformatic analysis of bulk and single-cell sequencing.

Required Education and Skills

• Must be currently enrolled in a PhD degree in Computer Science, Statistics, Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, or related technical field.
• Must be available to work full-time for 10-12 weeks beginning in May or June of 2027.
• Excellent software design and development skills and strong proficiency in Python.
• Strong proficiency in modern ML frameworks (e.g., PyTorch, TensorFlow, JAX) and experience implementing scalable solutions for complex tasks.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to work collaboratively in a multi-disciplinary team.
• Interest in life sciences problems and disease biology, and willing to learn from and teach others.

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Experience fine-tuning foundation models on multiple GPUs is a strong plus.
• Experience with biological foundation models (e.g., single-cell foundation models) is a strong plus.
• Experience with biological data (e.g., perturb-seq) is a strong plus.
• Publications in top-tier ML conferences (e.g., NeurIPS, ICML, ICLR) is a strong plus.

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

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