2026 Future Talent Program - Protein & Structural Chemistry - Intern

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.

For you: these positions in our Company's Research Labs will provide you with a great development opportunity and a chance to see if we are the right company for your long-term goals.

For us: we get to meet the best and brightest individuals who represent the future of scientific endeavor in the US.

We are seeking candidates with a passion for scientific research, excellent academic performance, communication skills, teamwork, and the ability to work in a multi-functional environment. A strong science background in applied biology, biochemistry, or chemistry with research in a laboratory setting is essential. Applicants with previous research experience in the listed areas are highly preferred. You will be provided with laptops and have access to state-of-the-art lab equipment as necessary to perform the role. This is a paid internship targeted to start in June 2026 and run for 10-12 weeks. Potential involvement in a scientific publication may occur as a result of the research undertaken during the internship.

The department of Protein & Structural Chemistry is offering internships in the following discipline:

Structural Chemistry

The Structural Chemistry groups use X-ray crystallography and Cryo-electron microscopy to determine structures of drug/target complexes, biologics, and other relevant biological macromolecules to enable structure-based drug discovery. The successful candidate will work to support drug discovery with structural information using some or all of the following methods: preparative protein purification, characterization using SDS-PAGE, spectroscopic and analytical chromatographic methods, biochemical and biophysical pre-crystallization assays, crystallization screening and crystal optimization, crystal harvesting, grid preparation for Cryo-EM, and data collection, processing, and structure determination and critical analysis of protein-ligand structural data.

Interns will be responsible for accurate electronic notebook recording, safe laboratory practices, and presentation of data and their interpretation to a team of scientists. The intern will also attend departmental and team meetings to gain a wider perspective of the drug development process in the pharmaceutical industry.

Locations: Rahway, NJ; West Point, PA; South San Francisco, CA

**Please note when applying for this position, if the applicant is selected for an interview, they must be prepared to submit letters of recommendation, a brief research statement, and a copy of their transcript. Applicant must select location when applying for this position in those cases where multiple locations are listed**

Required Education, Experience and Skills:

• Candidates must be pursuing a BS/BA or Master's/Ph.D. degree in applied biology, biochemistry, chemistry or a related field with demonstrated interest/experience in research areas relevant to the drug discovery process.
• Candidates must have basic laboratory skills and research experience, such as structural biology, protein biochemistry, biophysics, BioNMR, mass spectrometry, molecular biology, protein expression and purification, protein characterization using biochemical and biophysical techniques, and safe lab practices.
• Candidates must have completed at least two years of studies toward BS/BA degree or at least 1 year towards Master's/PhD at time of internship (Summer 2026)
• Candidates must be currently enrolled in an academic program at the time of the application and be continuing education for at least 1 semester once internship completes (Fall 2026)
• Candidates must be available for full-time employment for 10-12 weeks during the months of June - August 2026

Preferred Experience and Skills:

• Candidates should have significant interest in protein structure/function
• Candidates should have experience with preparation of challenging biological macromolecules such as membrane proteins, or characterizing proteins using functional assays or techniques that measure ligand binding
• 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

#NDiSTEM2025

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.

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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, 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:
Not Indicated

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: R362188