2027 Future Talent Program – Discovery Pharmaceutical Sciences - Intern

MSD Malaysia; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 40,000 - 111,000; Full time

Job summary

Merck & Co., Inc. invites undergraduates and graduate students to join the Future Talent Program as summer interns in our Research Lab Division.

Interns will work on projects in formulation development and manufacturing of oral, sterile, and specialty pharmaceutical products. Based in the Discovery Pharmaceutical Sciences Department in West Point and Boston, interns will collaborate in a multi-functional team, present research results orally and in writing, and gain exposure to drug delivery,

Qualifications

• Candidates must be a currently enrolled undergraduate sophomore, junior, or senior student pursuing a bachelor’s degree OR a currently enrolled graduate student pursuing a Masters or Ph.D. in Pharmaceutics, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, or Engineering.
• Candidates must be available to work full-time for up to (12) weeks from June - August 2027.
• Candidates must have completed at least (2) years of studies toward bachelor’s degree by June 2024.

Responsibilities

• Interns will work collaboratively in a team environment to help solve key challenges in formulation development and manufacturing of pharmaceutical products.
• Interns will present their research results in oral and written formats.
• Interns will work closely with an experienced pharmaceutical industry scientist on a research project.

Skills

Communication skills

Teamwork

Multi-functional environment

Education

Bachelor's degree or pursuing

Masters or Ph.D. in Pharmaceutics/Pharmaceutical Sciences/Chemistry/Analytical Chemistry/Engineering

Tools

HPLC

Spectroscopy

Electronic notebook recording

Analytical techniques

Safe lab practices

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 Lab Division can provide you with great development and a chance to see if we are the right company for your long-term goals. Our Research & Development Division’s Pharmaceutical Sciences & Clinical Supplies organization is responsible for translating a therapeutic agent into a functional drug product optimized for patients.

The Discovery Pharmaceutical Sciences Department in West Point and PA, Boston, MA, are seeking summer interns who will work collaboratively in a team environment to help solve key challenges in formulation development and manufacturing of oral, sterile, and specialty (inhaled, implantable) pharmaceutical products including small molecule, peptides biologics and vaccines. The Discovery Pharmaceutical Sciences Department is a multidisciplinary research group that provides drug delivery, solid state and solution chemistry tools in Drug Discovery and Early Development.

Potential research projects include, but are not limited to the following:

• Engineering polymer/API composite particles for injectable formulations


• Characterization and formulation of biologics drugs


• Alternative drug delivery options for peptides


• Design, formulation, and characterization of lipid based delivery systems

We are seeking intern candidates at all levels with strong academic performance, communication skills, teamwork, and the ability to work in a multi- functional environment. The interns will participate in departmental and project team meetings to provide a broad perspective on the drug development process in the pharmaceutical industry. In addition, the intern student will have an opportunity to present their research results in both oral and written formats. During your internship appointment you will work closely with an experienced pharmaceutical industry scientist on a research project.

Required Education and Experience:

Candidates must be a currently enrolled undergraduate sophomore, junior, or senior student pursuing a bachelor’s degree OR a currently enrolled graduate student pursuing a Masters or Ph.D. in Pharmaceutics, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, or Engineering. Candidates must be available to work full-time for up to (12) weeks from June - August 2027. Candidates must have completed at least (2) years of studies toward bachelor’s degree by June 2024.

Preferred Experience and Skills:

Candidates should have significant interest in Pharmaceutical Sciences & Clinical Supplies. Candidates should have basic laboratory skills and research experience, such as:

• electronic notebook recording


• HPLC


• spectroscopy


• analytical techniques


• safe lab practices

Candidates should have a GPA of 3.0 or higher.

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 $39,908 - $111,111 USD 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. 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.

Search Firm Representatives

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: Not Indicated

Valid Driving License: No

Hazardous Material(s): Yes

Job Posting End Date: 10/9/2026 *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.

Our company is a global health care leader with a diversified portfolio of prescription medicines, vaccines and animal health products. The difference between potential and achievement lies in the spark that fuels innovation and inventiveness; this is the space where we have codified our legacy for over a century. Our success is backed by ethical integrity, forward momentum, and an inspiring mission to achieve new milestones in global healthcare.