2025 Quantitative Biosciences, Cellular Pharmacology & Lead Discovery Intern

Job Description

The Future Talent Program offers internships lasting up to 12 weeks and will include one or more projects. These opportunities within our Research & Development Division serve as a platform for significant personal growth, allowing you to gauge whether our company aligns with your long-term objectives. The Quantitative Biosciences Cellular Pharmacology & Lead Discovery team is looking for a highly talented and motivated student to join our ranks. Collaborating closely with experienced pharmaceutical industry scientists, the chosen candidate will contribute to the discovery and advancement of novel medicines for cancer and cardiometabolic disorders. At the heart of this role lies the execution of critical cellular assays to evaluate and characterize preclinical therapeutic candidates.

The successful candidate will:

• Learn about different cellular assays used in drug development and how to leverage laboratory automation to improve robustness and increase throughput

• Execute cellular assays to support compound screening and mechanism of action studies

• Evaluate and optimize new assay technologies and methods

• Engage with industry-standard data analysis tools and record keeping, including electronic lab notebooks and analysis software

• Communicate data progress during internal meetings; deliver a verbal presentation at the completion of training; participate in scientific exchange with our Company scientist

• We value open communication, creative-thinking, strong teamwork, and rigorous scientific exploration. If you are a highly motivated team player with enthusiasm for learning new techniques who thrives on challenge and has a strong desire to impact drug discovery, we invite you to apply.

Required Education & Experience:

• Candidates must be currently enrolled in a full-time degree program in biology, biochemistry, or a related scientific discipline and have completed at least 2 years of studies toward BS/BA or at least 1 year towards master’s/PhD by June of 2025

• Candidates must be available to work full-time for 8-12 weeks beginning in May or June of 2025

• Candidates must possess superior verbal and written communication skills

• Candidates must have a demonstrated record of strong academic achievement

• Candidates must be able to work independently in a multi-functional, team-oriented environment

Preferred Experience & Skills:

• Candidates should have previous laboratory experience with cell biology techniques

• Candidates should have experience with aseptic technique and good cell culture practice

• Candidates should demonstrate a keen interest in scientific exploration and drug discovery research

• Candidates should be self-motivated and detail-orientated with excellent record keeping and organizational skills

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.

Expected salary range:

$39,600.00-$105,500.00

FTP2025

MRL2025

Employees working in roles that the Company determines require routine collaboration with external stakeholders, such as customer-facing commercial, or research-based roles, will be expected to comply not only with Company policy but also with policies established by such external stakeholders (for example, a requirement to be vaccinated against COVID-19 in order to access a facility or meet with stakeholders).  Please understand that, as permitted by applicable law, if you have not been vaccinated against COVID-19 and an essential function of your job is to call on external stakeholders who require vaccination to enter their premises or engage in face-to-face meetings, then your employment may pose an undue burden to business operations, in which case you may not be offered employment, or your employment could be terminated. Please also note that, where permitted by applicable law, the Company reserves the right to require COVID-19 vaccinations for positions, such as in Global Employee Health, where the Company determines in its discretion that the nature of the role presents an increased risk of disease transmission.

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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.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability status, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.  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 diverse, talented, and committed people together. The fastest way to breakthrough innovation is when diverse ideas 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, generally Tuesday, Wednesday and either Monday or 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”.

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. 

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