2027 Future Talent Program - Pharmaceutical Analysis and Digital Technology (PADT) and Large Molecule Analytical (LMA) - Intern

Merck & Co., Inc.; Rahway (NJ); On-site; USD 40,000 - 111,000; Full time

Job summary

Merck & Co., Inc. in Rahway, NJ, is offering a 10-12 week Future Talent Program internship in our PADT and LMA laboratories.

Interns will work on analytical method development and drug substance/product characterization, collaborating in a team environment at state-of-the-art labs. Ideal candidates are enrolled in a Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD program in chemistry or related fields, with strong academics, teamwork, and data-recording skills.

Qualifications

• Must be a current student pursuing a degree in Chemistry, Biology, Biochemistry or related field.
• Available to work full-time for 10-12 consecutive weeks starting May/June 2027.
• Must have completed at least 2 years of study by June 2027.
• GPA 3.0 or higher preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop analytical methodologies for drug substance and product.
• Record experiments in an electronic notebook and interpret data.
• Present research results orally and in writing to project teams.
• Collaborate within cross-functional teams in PADT and LMA.

Skills

Analytical interest

Lab skills

Data interpretation

Safe practices

Education

Chemistry degree

Tools

Analytical instrumentation

Job description

Job Description

The Future Talent Program features internships that last 10-12 weeks and will include one or more projects. These opportunities in our Research Division can provide you with great development and a chance to see if we are the right company for your long-term goals.

Our Pharmaceutical Analysis & Digital Technology (PADT) and Large Molecule Analytical (LMA) departments in Rahway, NJ, West Point, PA, Boston, MA, and South San Francisco, CA are seeking summer interns who will work collaboratively in a team environment at our state-of-the-art laboratories to develop novel analytical methodologies that impact drug substance and drug product development. Day-to-day research for the intern will focus on solving key challenges in product and process characterization.

The summer interns will be exposed to:

• Core instrumentation critical for modern analysis of small molecules, biologics, and/or vaccines, for manufacturing process characterization, and for determination of drug substance and/or drug product chemical, physical, and biological attributes.
• Fundamentals of analytical, physical, and biological chemistry method development necessary to solve problems as a member of an integrated team in support of the small and large molecule pipeline at our company.
• The PADT and LMA departments will expose the intern to various expert groups in the areas of screening and high-throughput analysis, molecular and physical materials characterization, structural elucidation including high end mass spectrometry and NMR techniques, separation-based techniques, assays for interrogating critical attributes of drug products, immunoassays, cell-based assays, labeled-compound analyses, trace metals analyses, and advanced statistical and data analytics/ machine learning processes, further broadening their experience.

The interns in PADT and LMA will also participate in departmental and project team meetings to provide a broad perspective on the drug development process in the pharmaceutical industry. The interns will be responsible for accurate electronic notebook recording of experimental details and for analysis and interpretation of data that may be used for internal or external scientific publications which may follow from the internship. Interns will have the opportunity to gain further knowledge and skill sets via refinement of laboratory skills, introduction to new analytical techniques, exposure to current challenges in analytical research, and perspective on the practical aspects of drug development. In addition, the intern will have an opportunity to present their research results in both oral and written formats.

We are seeking intern candidates at all academic levels (undergraduate and graduate) with strong academic performance, communication skills, teamwork, and the ability to work in a multi- functional environment.

Locations:

Rahway, NJ; West Point, PA; Boston, MA; South San Francisco, CA

This is a full-time summer internship position.

Education Requirements:

• Candidates must be a currently enrolled student pursuing a Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD degree in Chemistry, Biology (e.g. Cell Biology, Virology), Biochemistry, Chemical/Biological Engineering, Materials Science, Pharmaceutical Science, or a related discipline.

Required Experience and Skills:

• Candidates must be available to work full-time for 10-12 consecutive weeks beginning in May or June of 2027.
• Candidates must have completed at least (2) years of study toward a bachelor's degree by June 2027.

Preferred Experience and Skills:

• Candidates should have significant interest in analytical sciences for small molecules, vaccines, and/or biologics.
• Candidates should have basic laboratory skills and research experience, such as: lab notebook recording, use of analytical instrumentation, analysis and interpretation of data, 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.

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. Please click here if you need an accommodation during the application or hiring process.

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):

possibly

Job Posting End Date:

10/17/2026