2027 Future Talent Program – Development of a Multiplex Antibody-Dependent Cellular Phagocytosis – Intern

Merck; Lower Gwynedd Township (PA); On-site; USD 39,000 - 111,000; Full time

Job summary

Merck's Future Talent Program offers a 12-week internship in our Research and Development Division, featuring projects in vaccine-related bioanalytics. The Exploratory Vaccines-Regulated Bioanalytics group designs and applies assays to characterize immune responses, advancing candidates from discovery to clinical development.

As an intern, you will perform proof-of-concept studies for a bead-based multiplex ADCP platform, analyze data with Excel, and present findings at the end-of-summer

Qualifications

• Immunology, microbiology, or life sciences degree required.
• Basic lab skills with aseptic technique.
• Strong data analysis in Excel or similar.
• Excellent documentation and communication.
• Ability to work independently and in teams.

Responsibilities

• Support development of a multiplex ADCP assay.
• Prepare antigen-coated beads.
• Run THP-1 cell-based assays.
• Assist flow cytometry data collection and analysis.
• Evaluate assay performance and feasibility.
• Document experiments and maintain records.
• Create technical summaries of findings.
• Present results at intern symposium.

Skills

Lab experience

Analytical skills

Documentation

Communication

Independent work

Education

Immunology

Microbiology

Biological Sciences

Biotechnology

Biomedical Sciences

Biochemistry

Molecular Biology

Life sciences

Tools

FlowJo

GraphPad Prism

Python

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 and Development Division can provide you with great development and a chance to see if we are the right company for your long-term goals.

Position Description

The Exploratory Vaccines-Regulated Bioanalytics group supports vaccine research and development by designing and implementing innovative immunological assays used to characterize vaccine-induced immune responses. We develop and apply functional bioanalytical platforms that help advance vaccine candidates from discovery through clinical development.

Project Overview

Antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis (ADCP) is an important antibody effector function that contributes to vaccine-induced immunity. Current ADCP testing is performed in a singleplex format, requiring independent analysis of each vaccine antigen. The goal of this project is to establish a bead-based multiplex ADCP platform capable of simultaneously measuring functional antibody responses against multiple antigens.

The intern will perform proof-of-concept studies to evaluate multiplex assay feasibility, optimize assay conditions, generate and analyze experimental data, and compare multiplex assay performance to established singleplex methods. This work has the potential to improve assay throughput, reduce sample and reagent consumption, and expand functional immunogenicity assessment capabilities for multivalent vaccine programs.

Primary Responsibilities

• Perform laboratory experiments supporting development of a multiplex ADCP assay.
• Prepare and characterize antigen-coated fluorescent bead reagents.
• Conduct cell-based functional assays using THP-1 cells and vaccine study samples.
• Support flow cytometry sample acquisition and data analysis.
• Evaluate assay performance, reproducibility, and multiplex feasibility.
• Analyze experimental data using Excel and other analytical software tools.
• Collaborate with scientists to troubleshoot and optimize assay conditions.
• Maintain accurate laboratory documentation and experimental records.
• Prepare technical summaries and presentations of project findings.
• Present project outcomes at the end-of-summer intern symposium

Required Education

• Immunology
• Microbiology
• Biological Sciences
• Biotechnology
• Biomedical Sciences
• Biochemistry
• Molecular Biology
• Related life science discipline

Required Skills

• Basic laboratory experience in immunology, molecular biology, cell biology, or related disciplines.
• Familiarity with aseptic laboratory practices.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to analyze data using Microsoft Excel or equivalent software.
• Excellent organizational and documentation skills.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a research environment.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to scientific rigor.

Preferred Skills

• Experience with flow cytometry, including sample preparation and data analysis.
• Familiarity with cell culture techniques and/or THP-1 cell handling.
• Experience with immunogenicity, vaccine, or antibody-based assays.
• Familiarity with FlowJo or similar flow cytometry analysis software.
• Knowledge of antibody effector functions, Fc-mediated immunity, or phagocytosis assays.
• Experience with multiplex assay platforms or bead-based technologies.
• Exposure to data visualization or statistical software such as GraphPad Prism, R, Python, or JMP.
• Prior research experience through coursework, internships, co-ops, or academic laboratory projects.

Learning Opportunities

• Functional immunology assay development and optimization.
• Multiplex assay technologies and vaccine bioanalytics.
• Flow cytometry and cell-based assay platforms.
• Experimental design, troubleshooting, and data interpretation.
• Bioanalytical support for vaccine development programs.
• Scientific communication through technical reporting and presentations.
• Cross-functional collaboration within a pharmaceutical research organization.

Expected Deliverables

• Proof-of-concept evaluation of multiplex ADCP assay feasibility.
• Experimental data package comparing multiplex and singleplex assay performance.
• Recommendations for future assay optimization and implementation.
• Final scientific presentation summarizing project objectives, methods, results, and impact.

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.

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

EEO Statement

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