2027 Future Talent Program - Regulated Bioanalytical Sciences - Intern

Merck; West Point (PA); On-site; USD 39,000 - 111,000; Full time

Job summary

Merck invites applicants to join the Future Talent Program, a 12-week internship in our Regulated Bioanalytical Sciences group within Research and Development. You'll contribute to translational immunogenicity projects and gain exposure to regulated bioanalysis, assay strategy, and data interpretation in a pharmaceutical setting.

You will work on preclinical ADA data, analyze NHP samples, and prepare technical summaries.

Qualifications

• Currently pursuing a Bachelor's, Master's, or Ph.D. in a scientific field as listed.
• Internship duration 10–12 weeks between May and August 2027.
• Enrollment as full-time student after internship.
• Ability to work both independently and in a team environment.

Responsibilities

• Support evaluation of preclinical ADA assay data using established bioanalytical methods.
• Analyze available NHP sample data and compare assay signal patterns across testing conditions.
• Assist with data organization, quality checks, and interpretation of assay trends.
• Explore approaches to improve the scientific interpretation of preclinical immunogenicity findings.
• Summarize results in translational immunogenicity risk assessment for biologics.
• Prepare technical summaries and present outcomes at the end-of-summer intern symposium.

Skills

AI/ML tools

Scientific communication

MS Office proficiency

Data interpretation

Independent teamwork

Critical thinking

Attention to detail

Education

Biology

Immunology

Biochemistry

Biomedical Engineering

Biotechnology

Data Science

Computer Science

Related scientific discipline

Tools

MS Office Suite

Microsoft Excel

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. Our Company's Regulated Bioanalytical Sciences group supports development and interpretation of bioanalytical and immunogenicity assays for biologics and other therapeutic modalities. The successful candidate will contribute to an innovative translational immunogenicity project focused on improving the mechanistic interpretation of non‑human primate (NHP) anti‑drug antibody (ADA) data. This internship provides an opportunity to work alongside scientists supporting preclinical and clinical development of antibody‑based therapeutics while gaining exposure to regulated bioanalysis, assay strategy, experimental design, and data interpretation in a pharmaceutical research environment. Preclinical immunogenicity assessments are an important part of biotherapeutic drug development, but interpretation can be challenging because immune responses observed in nonclinical species may not always translate directly to clinical immunogenicity risk. This internship project will evaluate an improved assay interpretation strategy for non‑human primate (NHP) anti‑drug antibody (ADA) data using available samples and established bioanalytical assay platforms. The goal is to better distinguish broadly assay‑reactive signals from responses that are more relevant to drug‑specific immunogenicity, thereby supporting more informative preclinical‑to‑clinical interpretation for antibody‑based therapeutics.

Primary Responsibilities

• Support evaluation of preclinical ADA assay data using established bioanalytical methods
• Analyze available NHP sample data and compare assay signal patterns across testing conditions
• Assist with data organization, quality checks, and interpretation of assay trends
• Explore approaches to improve the scientific interpretation of preclinical immunogenicity findings
• Summarize results in the context of translational immunogenicity risk assessment for biologics
• Prepare technical summaries and present project outcomes at the end‑of‑summer intern symposium

Required Education

• Currently pursuing a Bachelor's, Master's, or Ph.D. degree in:
  • Biology
  • Immunology
  • Biochemistry
  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Biotechnology
  • Data Science
  • Computer Science
  • Related scientific discipline

Required Qualifications

• Candidates must be able to complete a 10-12 consecutive-week internship between May and August of 2027
• Candidates must have completed at least 2 years of study toward a bachelor’s degree
• Candidates must be enrolled full‑time in the Fall Semester at an accredited university/college after the completion of the internship
• Candidates must be able to work independently and in a team environment
• Candidates must have strong verbal and written communication skills, presentation skills, and interpersonal skills
• Candidate must have proficiency with MS Office Suite

Required Skills

• Prior experience and knowledge in applying or leveraging AI/ML tools for research, data analysis, etc
• Curiosity, organization, and motivation to interpret experimental results in a scientific context
• Basic laboratory experience and ability to follow experimental protocols
• Strong attention to detail and careful documentation habits
• Interest in immunology, bioanalysis, antibody biology, or biotherapeutic drug development
• Experience using Microsoft Excel or similar tools for data organization and analysis
• Effective verbal and written scientific communication skills
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment
• Efficient, organized, and able to handle short timelines in a fast‑paced environment
• Critical thinking, ability to identify issues and seek solutions

Preferred Skills

• Familiarity with ligand‑binding assays, ELISA, or immunoassay formats
• Knowledge of immunogenicity testing, antibody biology, or biotherapeutic drug development
• Experience with bioanalytical data analysis, assay troubleshooting, or comparative method evaluation
• Interest in regulated bioanalysis, translational science, and preclinical‑to‑clinical interpretation

Learning Opportunities

• Regulated bioanalysis and immunogenicity assay strategy for biologics
• Interpretation of preclinical ADA data and translational immunogenicity risk assessment
• Assay design principles and scientific approaches for improving data interpretation
• Data comparison across assay conditions and interpretation of assay signal patterns
• Scientific communication within a pharmaceutical research organization

Expected Deliverables

• Comparative analysis of preclinical ADA assay data across selected testing conditions
• Technical summary describing key findings, interpretation, and recommended next steps
• Final presentation summarizing project rationale, analysis approach, results, and potential impact on translational immunogenicity assessment

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

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. 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.

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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)

Yes

Job Posting End Date

• 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: R413054