2027 Future Talent Program - Sterile Product Development - Intern

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

Job summary

Merck & Co., Inc. Rahway, NJ, USA invites undergrad/grad students to join our Sterile Product Development intern program for up to 12 weeks in 2027. You'll work on formulation development for sterile drug products across modalities, with mentorship from an experienced scientist.

Candidates should have strong academics, teamwork, and communication skills, and be available 10-12 weeks from June to August 2027. In-office, on-site, Rahway, NJ.

Qualifications

• Currently enrolled undergraduate or graduate student in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Engineering or related discipline.
• Available to work full-time for 10-12 weeks from June–August 2027.
• Must have completed a minimum of two years of study toward a bachelor’s degree by June 2027.
• GPA of 3.0 or higher and strong communication/teamwork skills.

Responsibilities

• Utilize physical and chemical characterization techniques to understand physicochemical properties of small molecules, proteins and peptides.
• Use modeling tools to assess formulation stability and performance.
• Develop small-scale in vitro screening systems to predict formulation performance.
• Plan and execute research on novel drug delivery approaches for drug candidates.

Skills

Teamwork

Communication

GPA 3.0+

Education

Bachelor's / Master's / PhD in pharmaceutical sciences or related

Tools

HPLC

Spectroscopy

Analytical techniques

Job description

Internship Overview

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 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 Research Lab’s Pharmaceutical Sciences and Clinical Supply organization is responsible for translating a therapeutic agent into a functional drug product optimized for patients. Our Sterile and Specialty Products department is a multi-disciplinary group that enables sterile drug product and process development through application of pharmaceutical science and drug delivery research for clinical candidates.

The Sterile Product Development department is located in Rahway (NJ) and is seeking interns who will work collaboratively in a team environment to help solve key challenges in formulation development of sterile pharmaceutical products of diverse modalities including small molecules, peptides, biologics, and nucleic acids.

We are seeking intern candidates with strong academic performance, communication skills, teamwork, and the ability to work in a multi-functional environment. The intern will participate in departmental and project team meetings to learn a broad perspective on the drug development process in the pharmaceutical industry.

In addition, the student will have an opportunity to present their research results in both oral and written formats. During the internship they will work closely with an experienced pharmaceutical industry scientist on a research project with key tasks that include, but not limited to, the following:

• Utilization of a variety of physical and chemical characterization techniques to develop an understanding of the physicochemical characteristics of small molecules, proteins, and peptides, and associated formulations.
• Utilization of modeling tools to assess formulation stability and performance.
• Development of small-scale in vitro screening systems to predict formulation performance.
• Planning and executing research related to the design, development and characterization of novel drug delivery approaches for drug candidates.

Education and Skills Requirements

Candidates must be currently enrolled as an undergraduate student pursuing a Bachelor's degree (sophomore, junior, or senior) or a graduate student pursuing a Master's or PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Engineering, or related discipline.

Intern must be available to work full-time for 10-12 weeks from June – August 2027. Candidates must have completed a minimum of two (2) years of study toward a bachelor’s degree by June 2027.

Please note that this position may be closed before the posted end date or may remain open longer, at the discretion of the company.

Preferred Experience and Skills

• Electronic notebook recording.
• HPLC.
• Spectroscopy.
• Analytical techniques.
• Safe lab practices.
• GPA of 3.0 or higher.

Salary and Benefits

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

Location and Work Arrangement

Location: Rahway (NJ). In-office work.

Equal Opportunity and Inclusion

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.

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.

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

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.

Employment Details

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

Company Description

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.