2025 University Recruiting - Discovery Chemistry, Process Research, and Chemical Biology 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 Discovery and Process Research Departments across multiple geographies are seeking summer interns 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 fully integrated members of the company project teams.

Discovery Chemistry and Process Research (Boston, MA; Rahway, NJ: West Point, PA; South San Francisco, CA)

The candidates will work alongside company scientists in an organic synthesis laboratory to invent novel biologically active compounds and chemical reactions relevant to the synthesis of drug-like molecules (e. g. small molecules, cyclic peptides, and bioconjugates). Day-to-day research for the intern will focus on solving key challenges in reaction design utilizing the latest advances in organic synthesis. In addition to the discovery and development of synthetic routes to potential drug candidates, interns may focus/engage in bio- and chemocatalysis screening and development, laboratory automation, flow chemistry, labeled compound synthesis, and data science and informatics.

Chemical Biology (Rahway, NJ; Cambridge, MA)

Our company's Chemical Biology (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 Research & Development Division uses key technologies to create a synergistic toolbox for early discovery and beyond.

The interns will participate in departmental and project team meetings to provide a broad perspective on the drug discovery or development process in the pharmaceutical industry. Interns will also gain skillsets via exposure to practical aspects and day-to-day problems of pharmaceutical research. Interns will be responsible for and trained in methods for accurate electronic notebook recording and safe laboratory practices. In addition, they will have an opportunity to present their research results in both oral and written formats.

**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 or Chemical Biology; OR a currently enrolled graduate student pursuing a Master's or Ph.D. in Chemistry or Chemical Biology.

• Candidates must have completed at least two years of studies toward a bachelor’s degree by June 2025.

• Candidates must be available to work full-time for approximately 11-12 weeks from May - August 2025.

Preferred Experience & Skills:

• Candidates should have a significant interest in organic chemistry or chemical biology in industry

• Candidates should have basic laboratory skills and previous research experience that includes the use of various experimental techniques, electronic notebook recording,

• Candidates should have a GPA of 3.0 or higher

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.

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.

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:

EEOC Know Your Rights

EEOC GINA Supplement​

Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination

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.

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, 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. 

Employee Status:

Relocation:

VISA Sponsorship:

Travel Requirements:

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Shift:

Valid Driving License:

Hazardous Material(s):

Job Posting End Date:

*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.