2027 Future Talent Program - Discovery Sample Management Automation - Intern

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

Job summary

Merck in Rahway, NJ seeks a Discovery Sample Management Automation Intern to learn and optimize benchtop robotics and large-scale automation systems in drug discovery labs. You will join a team that supports instrumentation adaptation for automated workflows and data integration with LIMS.

This paid summer internship runs 11–12 weeks with May/June 2027 start. Candidates should be pursuing a Bachelor's in Chemistry, Biology, CS or Engineering, with lab experience and interest in robotics and

Qualifications

• Currently pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Biology, Computer Science, or Engineering.
• Experience in a laboratory setting.

Responsibilities

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

Skills

Laboratory robotics

Automation

Python

Visual Basic

HTML

Data transfer tools

LIMS

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry

Bachelor’s degree in Biology

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering

Tools

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 That The Intern May Have The Opportunity To Undertake Include, But Are 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.

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.

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}

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

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.

Requisition ID:R411918