Co-op

Job Description

The Future Talent Program features Cooperative (Co-op) education that lasts up to 6 months 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 Protein and Structural Chemistry team within Discovery Chemistry uses multidisciplinary approaches to determine structures of critical therapeutic targets. Our structural chemistry group supports the drug-discovery pipeline by elucidating mechanisms of action and enabling structure-based drug design to accelerate development of medicines that benefit patients worldwide.

We are seeking a motivated and collaborative Co-op to join our cryo-EM Center of Excellence for a full-time, six-month placement beginning in spring/summer 2026. This is an excellent opportunity for a student who wants hands-on experience in modern structural biology, with a focus on cutting-edge cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) and protein biochemistry.

Key Responsibilities:

• Prepare and optimize cryoEM sample preparation.

• Assist with experimental design and execution of novel approaches for structure determination using cryo-EM.

• Participate in data-collection sessions as appropriate.

• Critically evaluate cryo-EM sample optimization and data quality; perform data processing and image analysis.

• Maintain accurate electronic laboratory notebook records and document experimental results.

• Maintain a clean, safe laboratory environment and adhere to institutional safety practices.

• Collaborate with multidisciplinary scientists across Discovery Chemistry and related groups.

Education:

• Must be currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate degree program in Structural Biology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, or a related field at the time of the co-op.

Required Experience and Skills:

• Must be available to work full time for six months beginning in spring/summer 2026.

• Must have hands-on experience with cryo-EM, including sample vitrification, data processing, and evaluation of results.

• Must have prior research laboratory experience and a strong interest in protein biochemistry and structural biology.

• Must have experience with cryo-EM processing software (e.g., cryoSPARC, ChimeraX).

Preferred Experience and Skills:

• Should have experience interpreting 3D reconstructions and using model-building/validation workflows.

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 $39,600.00-$105,500.00 USD

FTP2026

RL2026

Required Skills:

Chemical Physics, Clinical Research, Cloud Data Catalog, CryoEM, Data Analysis, Database Management, Data Science, Data Security, Data Visualization, Data Wrangling, Detail-Oriented, Laboratory Documentation, Laboratory Maintenance, Laboratory Safety, Microscopies, Molecular Biology, Molecular Microbiology, Project Management, Protein Separations, Python (Programming Language), Software Proficiency, Structural Biology

Preferred Skills:

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Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

US and Puerto Rico Residents Only:

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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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U.S. Hybrid Work Model

Effective September 5, 2023, employees in office-based positions in the U.S. will be working a Hybrid work consisting of three total days on-site per week, Monday - Thursday, although the specific days may vary by site or organization, with Friday designated as a remote-working day, unless business critical tasks require an on-site presence.This Hybrid work model does not apply to, and daily in-person attendance is required for, field-based positions; facility-based, manufacturing-based, or research-based positions where the work to be performed is located at a Company site; positions covered by a collective-bargaining agreement (unless the agreement provides for hybrid work); or any other position for which the Company has determined the job requirements cannot be reasonably met working remotely. Please note, this Hybrid work model guidance also does not apply to roles that have been designated as “remote”.

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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

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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:

Not Applicable

Shift:

Not Indicated

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

Yes

Job Posting End Date:

11/3/2025

*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.