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

MSD Malaysia; West Point (PA); Hybrid; USD 40,000 - 111,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid

Job summary

Merck & Co., Inc. in Rahway, NJ, United States, invites applications for a scientific co-op in Vaccines and Advanced Biotechnologies Process R&D. Under a project mentor, you will perform lab-scale process development and scale-up studies, developing robust cell culture processes for vaccine production.

The 4-6 month program runs in 2027, offering hands-on experiments, data collection, and collaboration on early-stage development. Excellent documentation and lab safety are emphasized.

Qualifications

• Must be enrolled in a BS/BA in one of the specified scientific fields.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team; strong records and organization.
• Hands-on laboratory experience and safety awareness required.

Responsibilities

• Perform lab-scale process development and scale-up studies.
• Develop robust, efficient, scalable cell culture processes for vaccine production.
• Support fermentation or cell culture, in-process assays, and technology transfer.

Skills

Lab skills

Teamwork

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Self-motivation

Education

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

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. 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 R&D division. Under the direction of a project mentor, a successful candidate will perform lab-scale process development/scale-up studies, and develop robust, efficient, scalable cell culture processes for vaccine production. Duties may include lab-scale fermentation or cell culture, in-process assay support, process scale-up and engineering, maintaining/coordinating raw material and equipment inventories to support development experiments, technology transfer to later stage development groups, and functioning as a key member of an early-stage process development team. 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.

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 4-6 months in 2027 (June - November or March - August).

Preferred Experience and Skills

Should have direct experience with cell culture/fermentation, upstream process development, and/or expression system development for vaccines and/or biologics is strongly preferred. Should have hands-on immunofluorescence, flow cytometry, and/or virology (flow-based nanoparticle analysis) experience preferred.

Salary range

The salary range for this role is $$39,908 - $111,111 FTP2027 RL2027.

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.

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer

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.

Company Values

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.

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

Please Read Carefully 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.

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

Job Summary

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.