2027 Future Talent Program - Spatial Biology & Multiplex Imaging - Intern

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

Job summary

MSD Malaysia offers a Summer 2027 internship at our South San Francisco, CA site within the Profiling and Expression department. The role focuses on development and validation of a high-plex immune and fibroblast spatial biology panel using PhenoCycler-Fusion for target localization studies.

You will engage in antibody evaluation, staining optimization, workflow automation, and collaboration with imaging and data science teams, culminating in a findings presentation with translational potential.

Qualifications

• Currently enrolled in a Bachelor's in Biological Sciences; MS/PhD candidates welcome.
• Available to work full-time on-site for 10-12 weeks starting May/June 2027.
• Strong analytical, communication, and interpersonal skills with a collaborative mindset.

Responsibilities

• Assist with antibody evaluation, conjugation, staining optimization, and documentation for PhenoCycler-Fusion.
• Support workflow automation using Parhelia Spatial Station.
• Collaborate with Immunology and data scientists on image analysis and algorithm development.
• Prepare a final presentation summarizing findings and translational potential.

Skills

Analytical skills

Communication

Interpersonal skills

R

Python

Education

Bachelor's degree in Biological Sciences

MS or PhD encouraged

Tools

R

Python

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. The Company's Research Labs Profiling and Expression (P&E) department is offering one 10-12 week internship position at our South San Francisco, CA site. Our department specializes in characterization and understanding of human disease using tissue-based assays. We utilize histopathological methods, molecular phenotyping, and advanced single-cell approaches to support discovery and clinical programs. The primary focus for the Summer 2027 candidate is to support the development and validation of a high-plex immune and fibroblast spatial biology panel using the PhenoCycler-Fusion platform for target localization studies.

Key Responsibilities

• Assay Development & QC: Support antibody evaluation, conjugation, staining optimization, and documentation for the PhenoCycler-Fusion platform.
• Workflow Innovation: Collaborate on workflow automation using advanced platforms like the Parhelia Spatial Station.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with the Immunology group on target validation.
• Work with imaging and data scientists on image analysis and algorithm development.
• Preparation of a final presentation summarizing findings and potential translational applications.

Required Education and Skills

• Currently enrolled in a Bachelor's degree program in Biological Sciences (e.g., Immunology, Oncology, Pathology, Cell Biology, Computational Biology) or a related field.
• Students in graduate programs (MS or PhD) are highly encouraged to apply.
• Available to work full-time and on-site for 10-12 weeks beginning in May or June of 2027.
• Excellent analytical, communication, and interpersonal skills, with a strong academic standing and a collaborative mindset.

Preferred Skills and Experience

• For Lab-Based Workflows: Experience with tissue culture, standard molecular biology techniques, multiplex immunofluorescence (mIF), immunohistochemistry (IHC), antibody conjugation, or fluorescence microscopy.
• For Computational Workflows: Experience with programming languages (R or Python), digital pathology image analysis, computer vision, machine learning, or processing bulk/single-cell spatial datasets.

Our company is committed to inclusion, ensuring that candidates can engage in a hiring process that exhibits their true capabilities.

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.

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.

Employee Status: Intern/Co-op (Fixed Term)

Relocation: No relocation

VISA Sponsorship: No

Travel Requirements: No travel required

Flexible Work Arrangements: Hybrid

Shift: 1st - Day

Valid Driving License: No

Hazardous Material(s): Yes

1. Salary range: $39,108 through $111,111.
2. Job Posting End Date: 11/6/2026 *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.

Our company is a global health care leader with a diversified portfolio of prescription medicines, vaccines and animal health products. The difference between potential and achievement lies in the spark that fuels innovation and inventiveness; this is the space where we have codified our legacy for over a century. Our success is backed by ethical integrity, forward momentum, and an inspiring mission to achieve new milestones in global healthcare.