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 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.

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 our company has codified its legacy for over a century. Our Company's success is backed by ethical integrity, forward momentum, and an inspiring mission to achieve new milestones in global healthcare.

Our Company is on the quest for cures and is committed to be the world’s premier, most research-intensive biopharmaceutical company. Today we’re doubling down on this goal. Our Company Research Laboratories is a true scientific research facility of tomorrow and will take our company leading discovery capabilities and world-class small molecule, biologics, vaccine Research and Development expertise to create breakthrough science that radically changes the way we approach serious diseases.

A summer research internship is available in the Regulated Bioanalytics organization within the Pharmacokinetics, Dynamics, Metabolism, and Bioanalytics function of our company Research Laboratories. Regulated Bioanalytics develops and executes assays that support preclinical and clinical studies, providing impactful data that support drug approvals and post-marketing commitments. The internship will last up to 12 weeks at our company site in West Point, PA and will involve the characterization of critical reagents used in regulated bioanalytical assays to support development of biologics modalities. Critical reagents bind to the analytes of interest and impact assay performance.

The intern will apply binding assessment technologies such as surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and biolayer interferometry (BLI) to develop methods to ensure consistent critical reagent performance in regulated bioanalytical assays. The intern will gain experience in experimental design, troubleshooting, documentation, and scientific reporting/presentation. The intern will also have opportunities to collaborate and network with colleagues in multiple functional areas throughout PDMB Regulated BA and to participate in special events and programs for summer interns. 

Key roles and responsibilities will include:

• Binding kinetics measurements, including SPR and BLI.

• Electronic laboratory notebook documentation.

• Data reporting.

• Presentations in meetings and forums.

• Safety and compliance activities.

Education:

• Candidate must be pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in biology, chemistry, biochemistry, biophysics, or related discipline.

Required Experience and Skills:

• Candidate must have coursework in biochemistry and organic chemistry with lab.

• Candidate must possess basic laboratory skills, including pipetting and solution preparation.

• Candidate must demonstrate the ability to think critically and to solve problems.

• Candidate must be able to work collaboratively and communicate effectively with stakeholders from other areas.

• Candidate must be able to complete a 10-12 week internship between May and August 2026.

• Candidate must be able to follow established procedures, develop new protocols, and have strong attention to detail.

Preferred Experience and Skills:

• Candidate should have prior research experience in biology, biochemistry, biophysics, or a related discipline.

• Candidate should have coursework in biophysics or physical chemistry.

• Candidate should possess an understanding of binding kinetics (on rates, off rates, affinity). Hands-on experience in SPR, BLI, or similar types of binding technologies is preferred.

• Candidate should have prior experience with immunoassays (ie. ELISA-based assays).

Please note that this position may be closed before the posted end date or may remain open longer, at the discretion of the company.

Under New York City, Colorado State, Washington State, and California State law, the Company is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the salary range for this job. Final determinations with respect to salary will take into account a number of factors, which may include, but not be limited to the primary work location and the chosen candidate’s relevant skills, experience, and education.

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:

Our company is committed to inclusion, ensuring that candidates can engage in a hiring process that exhibits their true capabilities. Please click here if you need an accommodation during the application or hiring process.

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​

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.

Learn more about your rights, including under California, Colorado and other US State Acts

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):

Yes

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.