2027 Future Talent Program - Discovery Chemistry & Process Research - Intern

MSD; South San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 39,000 - 111,000; Full time

Job summary

Merck & Co., Inc. invites aspiring chemists to join the Discovery Chemistry and Process Research internship program for 10–12 weeks in Summer 2027.

Interns will tackle synthetic chemistry challenges, contribute to drug discovery projects, document work in ELNs, and present findings to researchers across multiple teams. Applicants should be currently enrolled in chemistry at sophomore to senior level or as a graduate student; a minimum GPA of 3.0 is preferred, and availability May–August 2027 is

Qualifications

• Currently enrolled sophomore, junior or senior pursuing a bachelor’s degree in chemistry.
• Graduate student pursuing a master’s or Ph.D. in Chemistry is also eligible.

Responsibilities

• Work in an organic synthesis laboratory on synthetic chemistry problems related to drug discovery.
• Advance chemical synthesis, reaction development, and enabling technologies.
• Maintain accurate electronic laboratory notebooks (ELN) and present results in oral and written formats.
• Participate in departmental and project team meetings and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams.

Skills

Organic chemistry

ELN documentation

Communication

Education

Bachelor in Chemistry (soph/junior/senior)

Graduate student in Chemistry (MS/PhD)

Job description

Job Description

The Future Talent Program features internships that last up to 12 weeks and include working on one or more specially designed projects. These opportunities in our Research & Development Division provide meaningful professional development and an opportunity to explore whether our company is the right fit for your long‑term career goals.

Our company’s Research Lab’s Discovery and Process Research Departments across multiple geographies are seeking summer interns 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 fully integrated members of the company project teams.

Discovery Chemistry and Process Research (Boston, MA; Rahway, NJ; West Point, PA; South San Francisco, CA)

Candidates will work alongside company scientists in an organic synthesis laboratory to solve challenging problems in synthetic chemistry relevant to pharmaceutical research and development. Day‑to‑day research will focus on advancing chemical synthesis, reaction development, and enabling technologies by leveraging modern advances in organic chemistry. In addition to the discovery and development of synthetic routes to potential drug candidates, interns may engage in high‑throughput and data‑rich experimentation (HTE/DRE), bio‑ and chemocatalysis screening and development, laboratory automation, flow chemistry, labeled compound synthesis, involving data science/informatics approaches to reaction optimization and process understanding.

Interns will participate in departmental and project team meetings, gaining broad exposure to the drug discovery and development process within the pharmaceutical industry. They will gain hands‑on experience addressing practical challenges encountered in pharmaceutical research and development while working as members of multidisciplinary teams. Interns will be responsible for maintaining accurate electronic laboratory notebooks and adhering to safe laboratory practices. In addition, they will have the opportunity to present their research results in both oral and written formats.

*Please note that applicants must obtain approval from their principal investigator (PI) prior to applying for this position. If the candidate is selected for an interview, the applicant must be prepared to submit letters of recommendation and a brief research statement and a copy of transcripts.

Required Education & Experience:

• Candidates must be currently enrolled sophomore, junior, or senior students pursuing a bachelor’s degree in chemistry; OR a currently enrolled graduate student pursuing a master’s or Ph.D. in Chemistry .
• Candidates must have completed at least two years of studies toward a bachelor’s degree by June 2027.
• Candidatesmust be available to work full‑time for approximately 10‑12 weeks fromMay - August 2027.

Preferred Experience & Skills:

• Candidates should have a strong interest in organic chemistry and its application to pharmaceutical research and development.
• Candidates should possess basic laboratory skills and prior research experience involving standard experimental techniques and electronic laboratory notebook (ELN) documentation.
• Candidates should have an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher (on a 4.0 scale).

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.

FTP2027

RL2027

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.

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:

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.

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)

possible

Job Posting End Date

11/20/2026

*A job posting is effective until 11:59:59PM on the day BEFOREthe listed job posting end date. Please ensure you apply to a job posting no later than the day BEFORE the job posting end date.