Job Description
The Future Talent Program features co-ops that last 6 months and will include one or more 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 Neuroscience team is seeking a motivated and technically skilled co-op student majoring in the biological sciences, pharmacology or bioengineering. The student should have strong interest in neuroscience and learning about Central Nervous System (CNS) drug discovery. Successful candidates will be able to work independently and will be expected to proactively collaborate with colleagues. Primary responsibilities include contributing to the execution of in vitro and/or in vivo experiment that may encompass establishing cell-based model systems, development of immunoassays and performing biochemical and immunohistochemical analysis of tissues to support the identification and validation of novel targets to treat CNS diseases. The candidate will be an active participant in the positive and critical scientific dialogue that supports our mission of drug discovery.
The responsibilities of the Early Discovery Neuroscience team member include but are not limited to the following:
Design, execute, interpret and report in vitro and/or in vivo experiments.
Assist in developing, executing, and troubleshooting new in vitro or in vivo assays, protocols and/or imaging methods.
Communication of data clearly and concisely to teams and stakeholders.
Monitor, review and critically interpret published work to guide their research.
Collaborate with members from other functional areas, including medicinal chemistry, in vivo and in vitro pharmacology and genetics.
Education:
Candidates must be currently enrolled in a BS/BA or PhD degree program in the biological sciences or related disciplines such as chemistry, pharmacy, or health related fields.
Required Experience and Skills:
Candidates must have completed at least (2) years toward degree program by June of 2026.
Candidates must be available to work full-time for 6 months beginning in early to mid- 2026.
Candidates must have theoretical knowledge of at least 2 of the following areas: molecular biology techniques, biochemistry, cell culture, neuroscience, functional neuroanatomy, pharmacology, toxicology, fluorescence microscopy, electrophysiology.
Candidates must have hands-on experience with basic biology/chemistry lab procedures: pipetting, solution preparation, plate assays, and at least 1 of the following: basic mammalian cell culture, transfections, primary neurons, antibody-based assays, colorimetric assays, gel electrophoresis for DNA and proteins, animal handling, behavioral assays in rodents.
Candidates must have strong desire to develop knowledge of neuroscience drug discovery and work in a multidisciplinary team environment.
Candidates must have demonstrated ability to perform accurate data collection and analysis, graphing and presentation of results. Knowledge of statistical analysis is a plus.
Preferred Experience and Skills :
Candidates should have previous neuroscience, biochemistry, molecular biology class work.
Candidates should have experience with molecular biology assays AND/OR in vitro cell culture techniques AND/OR rodent behavior, animal handling, dosing procedures, tissue processing AND/OR rodent anesthesia and surgical procedures.
Candidates should demonstrate interest in conducting experiments to determine efficacy of test compounds, establish dose-response and pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic relationships, investigate biomarker responses and target engagement or modulation in vitro or in vivo.
Candidates should have excellent oral and written communication skills, including preparation of lab reports and presentations.
Candidates should have strong attention to detail.
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 (https://wd5.myworkday.com/msd/d/task/1422$6687.htmld)
Current Contingent Workers apply HERE (https://wd5.myworkday.com/msd/d/task/1422$4020.htmld)
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 (https://survey.sogosurvey.com/r/aCdfqL) 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 (https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2022-10/22-088\EEOC\KnowYourRights\10\20.pdf)
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 (https://www.msdprivacy.com/us/en/CCPA-notice/)
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:
1st - Day
Valid Driving License:
No
Hazardous Material(s):
n/a
Required Skills:
Clinical Research, Cloud Data Catalog, Data Analysis, Database Management, Data Science, Data Security, Data Visualization, Data Wrangling, Detail-Oriented, Event Planning, Key Performance Indicators (KPI), Project Management, Python (Programming Language), Software Proficiency, Vendor Relationship Management
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.
Requisition ID: R364198
