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

Biopharma Careers; West Point (MS); Hybrid; USD 28,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

Merck & Co., Inc. offers a scientific co-op in its Vaccines and Advanced Biotechnologies Process R&D division. Under a project mentor, you will perform lab-scale process development and scale-up studies, and develop robust, scalable cell culture processes for vaccine production.

You may work on GMP campaigns, assist with technology transfer, and learn to report results clearly in written and oral formats with a strong emphasis on lab safety.

Qualifications

• BS/BA in chemical/biomedical/biological engineering or closely related field.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Self-motivated, adaptable with a positive attitude.
• Able to learn new techniques and manage multiple tasks while maintaining accurate records.
• Hands-on laboratory experience and compliance with policies.
• Excellent organizational and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Perform lab-scale process development/scale-up studies.
• Develop robust, scalable cell culture processes for vaccine production.
• Support lab-scale fermentation or cell culture.
• Maintain raw material and equipment inventories for development experiments.
• Assist with technology transfer to later-stage groups.
• Contribute to GMP campaign planning and execution as needed.
• Convey results clearly in verbal and written formats.

Skills

Independent work

Team collaboration

Self-motivation

Adaptability

Positive attitude

Learn new techniques

Multi-tasking

Record-keeping

Follow instructions

Company policies

Hands-on laboratory

Organization

Interpersonal communication

Verbal communication

Written communication

Education

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

Tools

Cell culture

Fermentation

Flow cytometry

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:

• 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 virometry (flow-based nanoparticle analysis) experience preferred.

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:

$

FTP2027

RL2027

PRD

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:

10/18/2026 *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:

R413130

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.

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:

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Company Diversity & Inclusion Statement

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