2027 Future Talent Program – Discovery Oncology – Intern (South San Francisco, CA)

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

Job summary

Merck invites highly motivated students to join its Future Talent Program as Oncology Discovery Interns for up to 12 weeks in 2027, offering hands-on cell-based and biochemical assay experience under scientific mentorship.

The role focuses on learning oncology drug discovery, designing experiments, and collaborating with teams across medicinal chemistry and pharmacology to advance potential targets and molecules, while developing data analysis and communication skills.

Qualifications

• Currently enrolled in BS/BA in biological sciences or related discipline.
• Available to work full-time for up to 12 weeks beginning in May or June 2027.
• Strong desire to develop knowledge of oncology drug discovery.
• Experience with basic lab procedures: pipetting, solution preparation, plate assays.
• Experience with basic mammalian cell culture.
• Demonstrated ability to perform accurate data analysis.

Responsibilities

• 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.

Skills

Lab techniques

Data analysis

Independent work

Collaboration

Education

BS/BA in biological sciences or related discipline

Tools

Cell culture

Flow cytometry

Genomic perturbation techniques

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.

Our Company Discovery Oncology team is seeking a highly motivated and technically skilled student majoring in the biological or pharmaceutical sciences for an internship 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.

Interns will work with a scientific mentor to develop and carry out cell-based and/or biochemical assays to characterize new therapeutic targets and potential therapeutic molecules. Techniques used may 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 (12) weeks beginning in May or June of 2027.
• 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.

Preferred Experience And Skills

• 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.

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:

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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)

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.