2027 Future Talent Program - Protein & Structural Chemistry - Intern

Merck; South San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 39,000 - 111,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid internship

Job summary

Merck invites motivated students to join the Future Talent Program for a 10–12 week paid internship in Structural Chemistry to support drug discovery efforts using X-ray crystallography and Cryo-EM.

Interns will perform protein purification, characterization, crystallization screening, and data analysis, presenting findings to scientists in a multi-disciplinary team at multiple US locations including South San Francisco.

Qualifications

• Pursuing BS/BA or Master’s/Ph.D. in related field with interest/experience in drug discovery
• Basic lab skills and research experience in structural biology, protein biochemistry, biophysics, BioNMR, MS, molecular biology, expression/purification, and characterization techniques
• Enrolled in an academic program and continuing education for at least 1 semester after internship
• Available for full-time 10–12 weeks during June–August 2027

Responsibilities

• Support drug discovery with structural information using crystallography and Cryo-EM.
• Perform protein purification, characterization, and pre-crystallization assays.
• Assist with crystallization screening, data collection and structure determination.
• Record data in electronic notebooks and present results to a team of scientists.

Skills

Basic laboratory skills

Structural biology

Protein biochemistry

Biophysics

BioNMR

Mass spectrometry

Molecular biology

Protein expression and purification

Biochemical/biophysical techniques

Safe lab practices

Education

BS/BA or MS/PhD in related field

Tools

X-ray crystallography

Cryo-EM

SDS-PAGE

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.

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

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 ofJune - 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

Current Employees apply HERE

Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

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