2027 Future Talent Program - Vaccines Process Research & Development Downstream - Co-Op

Merck; West Point (PA); Hybrid; USD 40,000 - 111,000; Part time

Job summary

Merck’s Future Talent Program offers a 4-6 month co-op in our Research Division. Under a project mentor, you will conduct benchwork to develop, optimize, and troubleshoot downstream process operations and basic analytical techniques for vaccine bioprocess purification, analyzing and presenting results in a team setting.

The position is hybrid, requires enrollment in a relevant BS/BA program, and runs in 2027 with full-time commitment for the duration.

Qualifications

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to learn new techniques, perform multiple tasks, keep accurate records, follow instructions.
• Proven ability to work in hands-on laboratory setting.
• Effective organization, interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills.
• Available to work full-time for 4-6 months in 2027 (June - November or March - August).

Responsibilities

• Design, execute and analyze process development experiments to understand purification bioprocesses.
• Maximize understanding of purification steps for vaccine products.
• Analyze, summarize and present experimental results in a collaborative team.
• Contribute to pilot-scale campaigns for GMP manufacture of bulk clinical material.

Skills

Independent work

Team collaboration

Learning new techniques

Lab experience

Communication skills

4–6 months commitment

Education

BS/BA in Chemical/Biomedical/Biological Engineering, Bioengineering, Biological Sciences, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Molecular Biology, Microbiology, or closely related field

Job description

Job Description

The Future Talent Program features Cooperative (Co-op) education that lasts 4-6 months and will include one or more projects. These opportunities in our Research Division can provide you with great development and a chance to see if we are the right company for your long-term goals.

The Future Talent Program features Cooperative (Co-op) education that lasts 4-6 months and will include one or more projects. These opportunities in our Research Division can provide you with great development and a chance to see if we are the right company for your long-term goals. Our Research Scientists are our Inventors. We identify and target steps in disease mechanisms or pathways that could be inhibited or enhanced. Our goal is to isolate a compound that is effective against a disease target. Using innovative thinking, state-of-the-art facilities, and robust scientific methodology we collaborate to discover the next medical breakthrough. Applications are sought for a scientific co‑op opportunity in our company's Vaccines and Advanced Biotechnologies Process Research & Development division. Under the direction of a project mentor, a successful candidate will conduct laboratory benchwork to execute, optimize, and troubleshoot downstream process unit operations and basic analytical techniques. They will contribute to the development of new principles, concepts, and methods to enable process development, scale‑up of processes to pilot scale, and technology transfer to manufacturing scale. Design, execute, and analyze process development experiments to maximize understanding of purification bioprocesses to make vaccine products and subsequently analyze, summarize, and present experimental results in a collaborative team environment. The candidate may also work on pilot‑scale campaigns for the GMP manufacture of bulk clinical material. In this role, assignments could encompass aspects of campaign preparation, execution, and closeout of a GMP campaign. The successful candidate will be expected to demonstrate the ability to convey the results of their work in both verbal and written formats. In addition to the core duties outlined above, the candidate will be expected to keep careful notes, comply with all required training, and maintain focused attention on laboratory safety for themselves and their team.

FTP2027
RL2027
PRD

Education Minimum Requirement

• Candidates must be enrolled in a minimum of a BS/BA in: Chemical/Biomedical/Biological Engineering, Bioengineering, Biological Sciences, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Molecular Biology, Microbiology, or closely related field.

Required Experience And Skills

• Must have the ability to work independently and as part of a team, self-motivation, adaptability, and a positive attitude.
• Must have ability to learn new techniques, perform multiple tasks simultaneously, keep accurate records, follow instructions, and comply with company policies.
• Must have proven ability to work in hands‑on laboratory setting.
• Must have effective organization, interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills
• Must be available to work full-time for 4-6 months in 2027 (June - November or March - August)

Preferred Experience And Skills

• Should have scientific understanding of downstream bioprocess purification processes.
• Should have scientific understanding of purification operations of large complex molecules.

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 $$39,908 - $111,111

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.

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

Hybrid

Shift

1st - Day

Valid Driving License

No

Hazardous Material(s)

n/a

Job Posting End Date

10/19/2026

• 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

R413127