2027 Future Talent Program – Pharmaceutical Operations Intern

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

Job summary

Merck's Future Talent Program offers summer internships in Rahway, NJ, lasting up to 12 weeks with projects in formulation development, manufacturing and the clinical supply chain. Interns work in cross-functional teams to gain hands-on experience in drug development within a leading pharmaceutical company.

Interns will present results orally and in writing, collaborate with seasoned scientists, and may contribute to process engineering, design of experiments, and data analysis while ensuring

Qualifications

• Current undergraduate or graduate student in a relevant field.
• Available for up to 12 weeks May–August 2027.
• Minimum two years of study completed by June 2027.

Responsibilities

• Assist formulation development, manufacturing and clinical supply chain projects.
• Collaborate in a multi-functional team to solve key challenges.
• Present research results orally and in writing.

Skills

Teamwork

Communication

Lab skills

Analytical thinking

Education

Undergraduate student (Sophomore–Senior)

Graduate student (Masters/PhD)

2+ years toward degree by Jun 2027

Tools

MATLAB

Python

Aspen

Job description

Job Description

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

Our companies Pharmaceutical Sciences & Device Development (PSDD) organization is responsible for translating a therapeutic agent into a functional drug product optimized for patients. The Pharmaceutical Operations department is seeking summer interns who will work collaboratively in a team environment to help solve key challenges in formulation development, manufacturing and clinical supply chain.

Pharmaceutical Operations (Pharm Ops) is responsible for drug product manufacturing for clinical studies, stability studies and new drug filings with locations in Rahway (NJ) and West Point (PA). Example intern projects include:

• Process engineering to develop technical understanding of Oral Solid Dosage products.
• Process engineering to support manufacturing of injectable clinical supplies in West Point.
• Process engineering to support filling of injectable clinical supplies in Rahway.
• Design Engineering to develop technical understanding of process equipment and critical utility systems.

We are seeking intern candidates at all levels with strong academic performance, communication skills, teamwork, and the ability to work in a multi- functional environment. The interns 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 intern student will have an opportunity to present their research results in both oral and written formats. During your internship appointment you will work closely with an experienced pharmaceutical industry scientist on a research project within the department.

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 PhD in Pharmaceutics, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, or Engineering.
• Candidates must be available to work full-time for up to (12) weeks from May - August 2027.
• Candidates must have completed at least (2) years of studies toward bachelor’s degree by June 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 basic experience with analytic tools, programming and software such as: MATLAB, Python, Aspen.
• Candidates should have a GPA of 3.0 or higher.

Salary Range

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

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.

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

Search Firm Representatives Please Read Carefully

Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, Rahway, NJ, USA, does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. All CVs / resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at our company without a valid written search agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of our company. No fee will be paid in the event a candidate is hired by our company as a result of an agency referral where no pre-existing agreement is in place. Where agency agreements are in place, introductions are position specific. Please, no phone calls or emails.

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)

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

R413111