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 on a quest for cures and is committed to being the world's premier, most research-intensive biopharmaceutical company. Today, we're doubling down on this goal. Our Company's Research Laboratories is a true scientific research facility of tomorrow and will take our Company's leading discovery capabilities and world-class small molecule and biologics Research and Development expertise to create breakthrough science that radically changes the way we approach serious diseases.
Our Company's Research and Development in San Diego provides a unique experience to contribute to our Company's drug discovery efforts at one of the earliest stages of the process. To this end, we strive to create a fast-paced, nimble and flexible environment of mutual respect, creativity, invention and teamwork. Interns will be part of a highly collaborative and innovative scientific culture with the ultimate goal of learning new biology, chemistry, and technology that drives therapeutic development. Students will be exposed to immunology, microbiology, chemical biology, synthetic chemistry and bioactive discovery both within our Company at San Diego and at other Company sites across the country. With access to our Company's proven global Research and Development organization, you'll have the opportunity to collaborate with talented and dedicated colleagues while developing and expanding your career.
We are seeking intern candidates at all levels with strong academic performance, communication skills, teamwork, and the ability to work in a multi-functional environment. Successful candidates will work within a diverse group of scientists in the Discovery Immunology group, studying new biology pathways relevant to the drug discovery process. This is an exciting opportunity for individuals to learn & execute key cell biology and/or molecular biology techniques including primary and cell line culture, genetic manipulations including various CRISPR methods, and assay development skills for various readouts including qPCR, Western blot, ELISA, imaging, and flow cytometry.
Intern position commitment: June - August 2026 (10 - 12 weeks)
Required Education and Experience:
Candidates must be currently enrolled undergraduate or graduate students pursuing a degree in Biology, Chemistry, or related field.
Candidates must have taken courses covering fundamentals of chemistry, biochemistry, molecular biology, and/or immunology
Preferred Skills and Experience:
Candidate should be highly motivated and driven and willing to learn new science
Candidate should have basic knowledge of immunology, cell biology, and/or molecular biology
Candidate should have prior experience with mammalian cell culture and immunoassays
Candidate should be a strong team player
Candidate should have excellent oral and written communication skills
Candidate should be comfortable using a PC computer and proficient in Windows-based operating systems and basic applications, such as spreadsheets and databases
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):
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.
Requisition ID: R362320