2026 Future Talent Program – Intern

Job Description

The Future Talent Program features internships that last up to 12 weeks and will include one or more projects. These opportunities can provide you with great development and a chance to see if we are the right company for your long-term goals.

Our Research & Development BARDS (Biostatistics and Research Decision Sciences) Epidemiology is seeking 2026 summer interns. Primary responsibilities may include but are not limited to the following:

• Summarizing background information of a specific topic via targeted literature review

• Conducting data analysis in real-world health data sources to understand data quality, disease identification or treatment patterns, develop and validate prediction models

• Summarizing and interpreting study results

• Contributing to protocol development and manuscript writing

• Contributing to development and update of visualization tools (e.g., dashboard, geospatial visuals) of real-world data

• Contributing to development of materials to understand artificial intelligence and machine learning methods

• Communicating findings to an internal or external audience

The interns will have the opportunity to present their research work in internal or external professional forums or meetings. In addition, the interns will attend departmental and project team meetings to gain a broad perspective on the application of epidemiology and statistical method in the pharmaceutical industry. We are seeking intern candidates with strong academic performance, communication skills, spirit of teamwork, and the ability to work in a multi-functional environment.

Locations: West Point, PA; Upper Gwynedd, PA; Rahway, NJ, Boston, MA

Education:

• Candidates must be a currently enrolled graduate student pursuing a PhD degree in epidemiology, biostatistics, public health, data science, biomedical informatics, or other closely related field OR a currently enrolled graduate student pursuing a PharmD degree with relevant training in epidemiology

Required Experience and Skills:

• Candidates must be able to commit to full-time employment for 10 - 12 weeks beginning June 2026. 

• Candidates must have completed at least 2 semesters of graduate work towards a PhD degree in epidemiology, biostatistics, public health, data science, biomedical Informatics, or other closely related field by May 30, 2026 OR towards a PharmD degree with relevant training in epidemiology by May 30, 2026.

• Candidates must be scheduled to return to school in Fall 2026 unless the internship is a requirement for your degree.

• Candidates must have effective oral and written communication skills.

Preferred Experience and Skills:

• Candidates should have prior literature review (systematic/target) experience.

• Candidates should have a good understanding of real-world data and real-world databases.

• Candidates should have a good knowledge of SAS, SQL, R, or Python. 

• Candidates should have an interest in genetics/biomarkers, geospatial analysis, policy, patient-reported outcomes/clinical outcomes assessments (PROs/COAs), data science, model development, and/or artificial intelligence/machine learning

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

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

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.