2027 Future Talent Program - Protein & Structural Chemistry - Intern

Merck; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 67,000 - 111,000; Full time

Job summary

Merck invites applications for a 10–12 week paid internship in the Protein & Structural Chemistry group, part of the Future Talent Program. Interns will work on structural biology projects using X-ray crystallography and Cryo-EM to enable structure-based drug discovery.

Candidates must be enrolled in BS/BA, Master’s, or PhD programs, with strong lab skills in biochemistry/biophysics and a passion for protein science. The internship runs June–August 2027 across multiple locations in the US.

Qualifications

• Pursuing BS/BA or Master’s/PhD in related field with interest in drug discovery.
• Basic lab skills and research experience in structural biology, biochemistry, biophysics, and related areas.
• Enrollment in an academic program during application and continuing education after internship.

Responsibilities

• Support drug discovery with structural information using crystallography and Cryo-EM.
• Protein purification, SDS-PAGE, spectroscopy and chromatographic characterization.
• Pre-crystallization assays, crystallization screening, data collection and structure analysis.
• Accurate electronic notebook recording and presentation of data to scientists.
• Attend departmental and team meetings to understand the drug development process.

Skills

Structural biology

Protein biochemistry

Biophysics

BioNMR

Mass spectrometry

Molecular biology

Protein expression and purification

Education

BS/BA or Master’s/PhD in related field

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 and Development Division can provide you with great development and a chance to see if we are the right company for your long-term goals.

For you

These positions in our Company's Research Labs will provide you with a great development opportunity and a chance to see if we are the right company for your long-term goals.

For us

We get to meet the best and brightest individuals who represent the future of scientific endeavor in the US.

We are seeking candidates with a passion for scientific research, excellent academic performance, communication skills, teamwork, and the ability to work in a multi-functional environment. A strong science background in applied biology, biochemistry, or chemistry with research in a laboratory setting is essential. Applicants with previous research experience in the listed areas are highly preferred. You will be provided with laptops and have access to state-of-the-art lab equipment as necessary to perform the role. This is a paid internship targeted to start in June 2027 and run for 10-12 weeks. Potential involvement in a scientific publication may occur as a result of the research undertaken during the internship.

The department of Protein & Structural Chemistry is offering internships in the following discipline:

Structural Chemistry

The Structural Chemistry groups use X-ray crystallography and Cryo-electron microscopy to determine structures of drug/target complexes, biologics, and other relevant biological macromolecules to enable structure-based drug discovery.

The successful candidate will work to support drug discovery with structural information using some or all of the following methods: preparative protein purification, characterization using SDS-PAGE, spectroscopic and analytical chromatographic methods, biochemical and biophysical pre-crystallization assays, crystallization screening and crystal optimization, crystal harvesting, grid preparation for Cryo-EM, and data collection, processing, and structure determination and critical analysis of protein-ligand structural data.

Interns will be responsible for accurate electronic notebook recording, safe laboratory practices, and presentation of data and their interpretation to a team of scientists. The intern will also attend departmental and team meetings to gain a wider perspective of the drug development process in the pharmaceutical industry.

Locations

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

**Please note when applying for this position,if the applicantis selected for an interview, they must be prepared to submit letters of recommendation, a brief research statement, and a copy of their transcript. Applicant must select location when applying for this position in those cases where multiple locations are listed **

Required Education, Experience And Skills

• Candidates must be pursuing BS/BA or Master’s/Ph.D. degree in related field with demonstrated interest/experience in research areas relevant to the drug discovery process
• Candidates must have basic laboratory skills and research experience such as: structural biology, protein biochemistry, biophysics, BioNMR, mass spectrometry, molecular biology, protein expression and purification, protein characterization using biochemical and biophysical techniques, and safe lab practices.
• Candidates must have completed at least two years of studies toward BS/BA degree or at least 1 year towards Master’s/PhD at time of internship
• Candidates must be currently enrolled in an academic program at the time of the application and be continuing education for at least 1 semester once internship completes
• Candidates must be available for full-time employment for 10-12 weeks during the months of June - August 2027

Preferred Experience And Skills

• Candidates should have significant interest in protein structure/function
• Candidates should have experience with preparation of challenging biological macromolecules such as membrane proteins, or characterizing proteins using functional assays or techniques that measure ligand binding
• Candidates should have 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 $39,108 through $111,111.

FTP2027

RL2027

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

R413406