2027 Future Talent Program - Discovery Oncology – Co-op (South San Francisco, CA)

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

Job summary

Merck is seeking a highly motivated Oncology Discovery Intern for a 6-month cooperative education opportunity within our Research and Development Division. The role focuses on designing and executing in vitro experiments to characterize new therapeutic targets and molecules under the guidance of a scientific mentor.

You will work with cancer cell lines, conduct proliferation assays, genomic perturbation techniques, and flow cytometry, collaborating with teams across medicinal chemistry and

Qualifications

• Currently enrolled in a BS/BA in biological sciences or related field.
• Available to work full-time for up to 6 consecutive months starting early to mid-2027.
• Enrolled in a co-op program through college or university.
• Strong interest in oncology drug discovery and learning.
• Experience with basic lab procedures: pipetting, solution prep, plate assays.
• Experience with basic mammalian cell culture.
• Ability to perform accurate data analysis.
• Experience in bioinformatics data analysis and integration from biological databases.

Responsibilities

• Design, execution, and interpretation of in vitro experiments.
• Develop, execute, and troubleshoot new cell-based assays.
• Communicate data clearly to teams and stakeholders.
• Monitor and interpret published work to guide your research.
• Collaborate with medicinal chemistry, in vivo/in vitro pharmacology, and genetics teams.

Skills

Biological sciences

Data analysis

Bioinformatics

Cell culture

Lab techniques

Collaboration

Education

BS/BA in Biological Sciences

PhD in Biomedical Sciences (preferred)

Tools

Flow cytometry

Job description

Job DescriptionThe Future Talent Program features Cooperative (Co-op) education that lasts up to 6 months 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.

Our Company's Discovery Oncology team is seeking a highly motivated and technically skilled student majoring in the biological or pharmaceutical sciences for a co-op opportunity. The applicant should have a strong interest in cancer research and learning about oncology drug discovery. Successful candidates will be able to work independently and will be expected to proactively collaborate with colleagues.

The co-op will work with a scientific mentor to develop and carry out biochemical, and/or cell-based assays to characterize new therapeutics targets and potential therapeutic molecules. Techniques used will include cancer cell line culture, proliferation assays, genomic perturbation techniques and flow cytometry.

Responsibilities Of The Oncology Discovery Intern May Include

• Design, execution, interpretation, and reporting of in vitro experiments.
• Assist in developing, executing, and troubleshooting new cell based assays.
• Communicate data clearly and concisely to teams and stakeholders.
• Monitor, review, and critically interpret published work to guide your own research.
• Collaborate with members from other functional areas, including medicinal chemistry, in vivo and in vitro pharmacology and genetics.

Required Education And Skills

• Candidates must be currently enrolled in a minimum of a BS/BA degree in biological sciences or a related discipline.
• Candidates must be available to work full-time for up to (6) consecutive months beginning in early to mid-2027.
• Candidates must be enrolled in a co-op program through their college or university.
• Candidates must have a strong desire to develop knowledge of oncology drug discovery.
• Candidates must have experience with basic lab procedures: pipetting, solution preparation, plate assays.
• Candidates must have experience with basic mammalian cell culture.
• Candidates must have demonstrated ability to perform accurate data analysis.
• Demonstrated experience in bioinformatics data analysis and extraction, integration, and interpretation of data from biological databases.

Preferred Experience And Skills

• Currently enrolled in a Ph.D. program in Biomedical Sciences, with experience combining wet-lab and computational approaches to solve biological research questions.
• Candidates should have excellent oral and written communication skills, including preparation of lab reports and presentations.
• Candidates should have strong attention to detail.
• Candidates should have prior research experience.

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.

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.

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)

Yes

Job Posting End Date

11/20/2026

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.