2027 Future Talent Program - Discovery Pharmaceutical Sciences Summer - Co Op

Merck & Co., Inc.; South San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 40,000 - 111,000; Full time

Job summary

Merck & Co., Inc. in South San Francisco, CA is offering a co-op within the Discovery Pharmaceutical Sciences Department.

The program provides hands-on experience in translating a therapeutic agent into a functional drug product, with projects spanning oral, sterile, and specialty formulations. You will work with a multi-disciplinary team, present results, and gain exposure to drug delivery and analytical techniques.

Qualifications

• Enrolled undergraduate sophomore to senior, or graduate student pursuing Masters/PhD in relevant fields.
• Available to work full-time for up to 4-6 months in 2027.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate in a team environment on formulation development challenges.
• Present research results orally and in writing to project teams.
• Work closely with an experienced scientist on a research project.
• Participate in departmental and project team meetings to provide broad perspective.

Skills

Basic laboratory skills

HPLC experience

Analytical chemistry knowledge

Electronic notebook experience

Education

Bachelor's degree in Pharmaceutics, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, or Engineering

Graduate student pursuing Master's or Ph.D. in the same fields

Job description

Job Description

The 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 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 South San Francisco CA, is seeking a co‑op 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 formulation.
• Characterization and formulation of biologics or other complex modalities.
• Design, formulation, and characterization of lipid‑based delivery systems.

We are seeking candidates at all levels with strong academic performance, communication skills, teamwork, and the ability to work in a multi‑functional environment. The co‑op 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 co‑op student will have an opportunity to present their research results in both oral and written formats. During your co‑op 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 4-6 months during 2027.

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, and 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

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.

Inclusion Statement

Our company is committed to inclusion, ensuring that candidates can engage in a hiring process that exhibits their true capabilities.

Equal Employment Opportunity

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
• Learn more about your rights, including under California, Colorado and other US State Acts

Diversity and Inclusion

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.

Political Residency Conditions

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.

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.