Future Talent Program - Pharmaceutical Research & Development - 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 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 Laboratories Pharmaceutical Sciences & Clinical Supplies organization is responsible for translating a therapeutic agent into a functional drug product optimized for patients. Within this organization, Oral Formulation Sciences is responsible for addressing drug delivery and manufacturing science challenges to bring forward a new generation oral drug product, including tablets and capsules.  Based in Rahway, NJ, the team is seeking Co-Op students looking for an extended duration immersive experience in pharmaceutical research and who can help advance scientific understanding through the exploration of novel research programs.

Responsible for an essential delivery modality to enable patient access and new treatments, co-ops will have an opportunity to explore a range of scientific topics relevant to the field, including but not limited to i.) amorphous solid dispersions, ii.) controlled release formulation development, iii.) continuous manufacturing technology development, iv.) formulation and process design for oral delivery of macrocyclic peptides, and v.) deployment of artificial intelligence and machine learning to drug product design.  This extended duration experience will allow students to advance scientific understanding within the field and while cultivating essential professional skills that will benefit the student in their future career.

We are seeking co-op candidates at all levels with strong academic performance, communication skills, teamwork, and the ability to work in a multi- functional environment. The co-ops will participate in departmental and research project team meetings to provide a broad perspective on the drug development process in the pharmaceutical industry. The co-ops will have the opportunity to build a working knowledge of physicochemical and mechanical characterization techniques, device development, and/or drug product manufacturing. In addition, the co-op student will have an opportunity to present their research results in both oral and written formats.

Locations: Rahway, NJ

This is a full- time Co-Op position. Housing subsidy is not available as part of this program and must be fully funded by the student.

Education:

• Required: Candidates must be a currently enrolled undergraduate sophomore, junior, or senior student pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Chemistry or Engineering OR a currently enrolled graduate student pursuing a Masters or PhD in Pharmaceutics, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, or Engineering.

Required Experience and Skills:

• Candidates must be available to work full-time for up to (6) consecutive months beginning in May or June of 2026.

• Candidates must have completed at least (2) years of studies toward bachelor’s degree by June 2026.

Preferred Experience and Skills:

• Prior experience in a laboratory environment

• Prior experience with statistical software (JMP, Minitab) and numerical analysis software (Matlab)

• Strong mechanical aptitude

• Passion to learn and develop as a pharmaceutical scientist

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

Current Employees apply HERE

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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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.

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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”.

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:

Not Applicable

Shift:

Not Indicated

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

n/a

Required Skills:

 Preferred Skills:

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.