2027 Future Talent Program - Global Project and Alliance Management Intern

Merck; Rahway (NJ); Hybrid; USD 40,000 - 111,000; Full time

Job summary

Merck is offering a 12-week Future Talent Program internship in Global Project and Alliance Management (GPAM), based in Rahway, NJ or Upper Gwynedd, PA. Interns work on real projects spanning drug development, clinical strategies, and value generation while collaborating with experienced project managers.

The role emphasizes organization, effective communication, and cross-functional teamwork to support decision making and project execution.

Qualifications

• Currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate degree program with a concentration in public health, life sciences, technology, engineering, project management, or a closely related discipline.

Responsibilities

• Manage time effectively, prioritize assigned work, and estimate projected time needed to complete tasks.
• Execute on key deliverables to assist team and department in meeting goals and objectives.
• Support project managers and participate as a team member in preparation of inputs for decision making as appropriate.
• Effectively facilitate discussions and be able to ask key pointed questions to guide team in new directions.
• Learn and apply project management tools, templates, and processes to support planning, tracking, communication, and reporting activities.
• Contribute to the development of risk assessments and creation of risk mitigation plans.
• Communicate project updates, risks, issues, and decisions clearly and appropriately to team members and stakeholders.
• Serve as a point contact for stakeholders regarding project information or updates.
• Compile, organize, and analyze data to summarize report/project updates and findings.
• Identify opportunities to improve and streamline processes.
• Lead an assigned project from initiation to close out and transition.

Skills

Time management

Communication

Teamwork

Problem solving

Attention to detail

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Public health

Life sciences

Technology

Engineering

Project management

Tools

Office 365

MS Project

Power BI

Job description

Job Description

The Future Talent Program features internships that last 12 weeks and will include one or more projects. These opportunities in our company's Research organization can provide you with great development and a chance to see if we are the right company for your long-term goals.

About Global Project And Alliance Management (GPAM)

Global Project and Alliance Management (GPAM) is a vital part of our Research & Development (R&D) organization, driving the discovery, development, and delivery of innovative drugs and vaccines that improve health worldwide. Our diverse team includes Integrated Project Planners and Project Managers across Discovery, Development, Chemistry Manufacturing and Controls (CMC), Value & Implementation, Alliance Managers, and a Project Management Office (PMO) — all key members of cross‑functional teams collaborating to advance our R&D pipeline and bring life‑changing therapies to patients.

In GPAM, the PMs are core members of cross‑functional discovery, development, Value & Implementation, and alliance teams responsible for discovering & developing products that improve human health as well as develop strategies & execute our Company’s drug and vaccine V&I efforts to progress the R&D pipeline and realize its full potential in reaching patients around the world.

More Specifically

• Integrated Project Planners: Collaborates with Project Managers and cross functional teams to build and manage integrated development plans
• Discovery Portfolio & Development PMs: Lead pipeline progression across all drug development phases through enterprise leadership
• CMC PMs: Drive end-to-end thinking and connectivity between CMC and clinical strategies
• Value & Implementation PMs: Execute plans to generate real‑world evidence optimizing access and health outcomes worldwide
• Alliance Managers: Partners with Business Development & Licensing, GPAM, and External Parties to manage R&D partnerships and integration of acquired companies
• PMO: Enables pipeline progression, and cross-functional execution across our R&D planning, governance, and monitoring our data ecosystem

What You’ll Do

As a GPAM intern, you’ll work closely with experienced Project Managers on real projects that span drug development, clinical strategies, and value generation. Your responsibilities may include:

• Manage time effectively, prioritize assigned work, and estimate projected time needed to complete tasks
• Execute on key deliverables to assist team and department in meeting goals and objectives
• Support project managers and participate as a team member in preparation of inputs for decision making as appropriate
• Effectively facilitate discussions and be able to ask key pointed questions to guide team in new directions
• Learn and apply project management tools, templates, and processes to support planning, tracking, communication, and reporting activities
• Contribute to the development of risk assessments and creation of risk mitigation plans
• Communicate project updates, risks, issues, and decisions clearly and appropriately to team members and stakeholders
• Serve as a point contact for stakeholders regarding project information or updates
• Compile, organize, and analyze data to summarize report/project updates and findings
• Identify opportunities to improve and streamline processes
• Lead an assigned project from initiation to close out and transition

Why Join Us?

This Internship Offers a Unique Opportunity To

• Develop foundational project management skills in a dynamic, collaborative environment
• Contribute to projects that directly impact global health
• Explore a potential long-term career path with a leading pharmaceutical company
• Learn from industry experts and build a professional network

NOTE: This position is available in Rahway, NJ or Upper Gwynedd, PA based on candidate preference.

Required Education

• Candidates must be currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate degree program with a concentration in public health, life sciences, technology, engineering, project management, or a closely related discipline

Required Experience And Skills

• Candidate must be able to commit to full-time, hybrid employment for 10 - 12 weeks beginning June 2027
• Highly organized and capable of working with attention to detail, while connecting project details to larger project objectives
• Ability to bring structure to ambiguous situations by asking thoughtful questions, organizing information, identifying key issues, and helping the team clarify next steps and priorities
• Analyze and evaluate an issue or situation objectively to form sound, unbiased judgement
• Ability to define solutions and formulate and execute on actions across a team
• Ability to drive results for assigned projects
• Effective interpersonal and teamworking skills, with ability to build and foster relationships and collaboration with colleagues from other areas of the company
• Effective communicator, who knows when and how to speak up, raise issues, ask for guidance, and keeps both team members, departmental colleagues and management appropriately informed of project or initiative status and risks

Preferred Experience And Skills

• Exposure to Office 365 applications such as Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint. Exposure to MS Project, Power BI, AI applications in project management

Salary Range

The salary range for this role is $39,908 - $111,111

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

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.

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

10%

Flexible Work Arrangements

Hybrid

Shift

Not Indicated

Valid Driving License

No

Hazardous Material(s)

n/a

Job Posting End Date

10/16/2026

• 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

R414102