2026 Future Talent Program – Cellular Pharmacology - Intern

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 Research Scientists are our Inventors. Our goal is to identify pharmacological agents that are effective against disease targets. We leverage innovative thinking, state-of-the-art facilities, robust scientific methodology and a collaborative environment to discover world changing medical breakthroughs.

The Cellular Pharmacology group in the department of Quantitative Biosciences at a company of Research Laboratories in Boston is seeking an inquisitive and enthusiastic intern with a strong background in Cell and Molecular Biology to join our team.  The successful candidate will play an essential role in developing assays in cellular context for screening and translational relevance.  The alignment of these screening and translational assays with biochemical, ex-vivo and in-vivo approaches will greatly enhance our capabilities in the discovery of innovative therapeutics.

Responsibilities:

• Work collaboratively with members of the department to investigate cellular in vitro pharmacology against a variety of targets across diverse therapeutic areas. 

• Conduct cell-based assays to understand compound potency, characterize cellular signaling, and mechanisms of action.

• Engineering and validating cell models to inform on MoA

• Work with liquid handling stations and plate readers [Echo, Bravo, Envision, Spectramax and Mesoscale

• Independently analyze and interpret data, and trouble shoot experiments.

• Function and communicate effectively in a highly productive and multi-disciplinary environment.

Experience & Qualifications:

• Basic knowledge of cell biology, biochemistry, and molecular biology

• Prior experience with mammalian cell culture, molecular biology, and cellular engineering

• Highly motivated and driven and willing to take initiative to learn new science

• Strong team player

• Excellent oral and written communication skills

• Comfortable using a PC computer and proficient in Windows-based operating systems and basic applications, such as spreadsheets and databases

Education:

• Candidates must be currently enrolled as an undergraduate or graduate student, majoring in biological sciences or a related field

• Candidates should have a GPA of 3.3 or higher

Timeline:

• Intern position commitment: Must be available for full-time for 10-12 weeks during the months of June - August 2026

We are a research-driven biopharmaceutical company. Our mission is built on the simple premise that if we “follow the science” that great medicines can make a significant impact to our world. We believe that a research-driven enterprise dedicated to world-class science can succeed by inventing medicine and vaccine innovations that make a difference for patients across the globe.

Please note that this position may be closed before the posted end date or may remain open longer, at the discretion of the company.

Salary range:

The salary range for this role is $39,600.00-$105,500.00 USD

FTP2026

RL2026

Required Skills:

Preferred Skills:

Current Employees apply HERE

Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

US and Puerto Rico Residents Only:

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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

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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

Job Posting End Date:

05/14/2026

*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.