Future Talent Program – Intern

Job Description

The Future Talent Program features internships that last up to 12 weeks and include working on one or more specially designed projects. These opportunities in our Research & 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's Research Lab's Chemical Biology group within Discovery Chemistry is seeking a summer intern with a passion for scientific research, strong academic performance, communication skills, and the ability to work on cross-functional teams. We offer opportunities in our state-of-the-art science laboratories to solve fundamental synthetic or biological problems relevant to drug discovery and development, while functioning as a fully integrated member of the company project teams. 

Chemical Biology

Our Company's Chemical Biology Intern (comprising of chemistry, proteomics, and cell pharmacology) focuses on providing novel, high-quality targets and expanding confidence on molecular mechanism of action for our key assets. Candidates will leverage their chemical and biological expertise to solve complex biological problems while working in both chemistry and biology laboratory spaces. The internship will provide an opportunity to gain firsthand knowledge on how our Company's Research Labs (our Research & Development Division) uses key technologies to create a synergistic toolbox for early discovery and beyond.

The intern will gain hands-on experience in organic synthesis and bioconjugation workflows, including antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), and contribute to projects exploring induced proximity as a novel therapeutic strategy. 

Key Responsibilities

• Perform organic synthesis of small molecules and linkers relevant to bioconjugation.

• Execute bioconjugation protocols to generate and characterize antibody-drug conjugates.

• Assist in designing and conducting experiments related to induced proximity applications.

• Analyze and interpret experimental data, maintaining detailed lab records.

• Collaborate with team members to troubleshoot and optimize workflows.

• Participate in lab meetings and present findings.

*Please note when applying for this position, the candidate must have consent from PI. If the candidate is selected for an interview, the applicant must be prepared to submit letters of recommendation and a brief research statement and a copy of transcripts. 

Required Education & Experience: 

• Candidates must be currently enrolled sophomore, junior, or senior students pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Chemical Biology, or related field; OR a currently enrolled graduate student pursuing a Master's or Ph.D. in Chemistry, Chemical Biology, or related field. 

• Candidates must have completed at least two years of studies toward a Bachelor’s degree by June 2026. 

• Candidates must be available to work full-time for approximately 11-12 weeks from May - August 2026. 

Preferred Experience & Skills: 

• Candidates should have a significant interest in the application of chemical biology in drug discovery research. 

• Candidates should have hands-on experience with organic synthesis techniques.

• Candidates should have practical knowledge of bioconjugation workflows, especially involving antibody-drug conjugates.

• Candidates should have familiarity with or strong interest in induced proximity technologies and their therapeutic applications.

• Candidates should have a basic understanding of chemical biology and molecular biology principles.

• Candidates should have strong organizational skills and attention to detail.

• Candidates should have effective communication skills and ability to work collaboratively in a team environment.

• Candidates should have a GPA of 3.0 or higher.

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:

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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.

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:

Hybrid

Shift:

Not Indicated

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

Yes

Required Skills:

Antibody Drug Conjugates (ADC), Antibody Drug Conjugates (ADC), Bioconjugation, Biopharmaceuticals, Chemical Biology, Clinical Research, Cloud Data Catalog, Data Analysis, Database Management, Data Science, Data Security, Data Visualization, Data Wrangling, Detail-Oriented, Event Planning, Immunoassays, Immunochemistry, Immunology, Key Performance Indicators (KPI), Molecular Biology, Organic Chemistry, Organic Synthesis, Pharmacokinetics, Project Management, Proteomics {+ 2 more}

 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.