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

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

Job summary

Merck’s Future Talent Program offers a summer internship lasting up to 12 weeks in our Research & Development division, with opportunities to work on cross-functional teams and meaningful projects in state-of-the-art laboratories.

Interns will join the Discovery Chemistry and Process Research teams across sites in Boston, Rahway, West Point and South San Francisco, contributing to organic synthesis and data-driven experiments while learning about drug discovery and development.

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 by June 2027.
• Available to work full-time for 10–12 weeks May–August 2027.

Responsibilities

• Work alongside scientists in an organic synthesis laboratory on drug discovery projects.
• Advance chemical synthesis, reaction development, and enabling technologies.
• Maintain electronic laboratory notebooks and follow safe lab practices.
• Present research results in oral and written formats.

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemistry

Graduate student pursuing master's or Ph.D. in Chemistry

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.


• Candidates must be available to work full‑time for approximately 10‑12 weeks from May – 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.

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:

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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.

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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.

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

• 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: R414395