2027 Future Talent Program - Discovery Sample Management Automation - Intern

MSD Malaysia; Rahway (NJ); On-site; USD 39,000 - 111,000; Full time

Job summary

MSD Malaysia is offering a summer internship in Discovery Sample Management Automation in Rahway, NJ. The program runs 11–12 weeks and focuses on adapting laboratory robotics and automation for drug discovery projects within a cross-functional team.

You will work on benchtop and large-scale automation systems, gain exposure to LIMS data integration, and learn protocol development in a collaborative, pharma setting. Compensation reflects U.S. intern pay practices and the 2027 program timeline.

Qualifications

• Pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Biology, CS, or Engineering.
• Laboratory experience required.
• Availability for 11-12 weeks in 2027 (May/June–Aug).

Responsibilities

• Interface with staff to understand scientific workflows and automation.
• Create, troubleshoot, and test protocols on instrumentation.
• Optimize and calibrate laboratory instrumentation.
• Create data transfer tools to integrate instruments with LIMS.
• Observe and learn sample management and QC workflows.

Skills

Robotics interest

Laboratory experience

Cross-functional teamwork

Education

Bachelor's degree (Chemistry/ Biology/ CS/ Engineering)

Tools

Visual Basic

Python

HTML

Spotfire

Pipeline Pilot

Job description

Job Description 2027 Future Talent Program - Discovery Sample Management Automation Intern

The Future Talent Program features internships that last up to 12 weeks and will include one or more projects. These opportunities in our Research & 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 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 Sample Management (Rahway, NJ)

The Discovery Sample Management (DSM) group enables drug discovery through the establishment of industry-leading synthesis-to-assay workflows, application of innovative automation and engineering designs, and collaboration with stakeholders across the internal and external network. The group is offering a summer internship opportunity for an undergraduate student to learn how to adapt laboratory instrumentation and robotics to enable the drug discovery process in the \"Big Pharma\" setting. Additionally, the intern will be exposed to various automation applications and liquid handling principles. The summer intern will become a member of the DSM group and work in a team environment to operate and optimize benchtop robotics as well as large-scale automation systems.

Activities (but not limited to)

• Interface with our Research & Development Division's scientific staff to understand scientific workflows and associated automated systems.


• Create, troubleshoot, and test protocols on instrumentation.


• Optimize and calibrate laboratory instrumentation and equipment.


• Create data transfer tools to assist with integration of instruments with Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS).


• Observe and learn various sample management and quality control workflows.

Required Education & Experience

• Candidate must be currently pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Biology, Computer Science, or Engineering.


• Candidates must have experience in a laboratory setting.


• Candidates must be available to work full-time for 11-12 weeks beginning from May or June to August 2027.

Preferred Experience & Skills

• Candidates must have strong interest utilizing laboratory robotics and automation.


• Candidates should have familiarity with programming languages such as Visual Basic, Python, HTML.


• Candidates should have previous experience with Spotfire, Pipeline Pilot or similar.


• Candidates should have a grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0 or higher.

Salary range: The salary range for this role is $39,108 through $111,111.

Required Skills

Assay Development, Assay Development, Clinical Research, Cloud Data Catalog, Data Analysis, Database Management, Data Science, Data Security, Data Visualization, Data Wrangling, Detail-Oriented, Drug Discovery Process, ETL Pipelines, Event Planning, Immunochemistry, Key Performance Indicators (KPI), Laboratory Automation, Laboratory Equipment Calibration, Laboratory Informatics, Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS), Microsoft Visual Basic, Programming Languages, Project Management, Python (Programming Language), Scientific Research {+ 2 more}

Preferred Skills

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.

Equal Opportunity and Diversity

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 & Work Details

• 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: 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.