2027 Future Talent Program - Infectious Diseases and Vaccines - Intern

Job Description

The Future Talent Program features internships that last up to 12 weeks and include participation in one or more projects.  These opportunities in our Research and Development Division can provide you with great hands-on experience and offer a chance to see if we are the right company for your long-term goals.

We are currently recruiting summer interns within the Infectious Diseases and Vaccines group. The interns will work with scientists developing medicines and vaccines for the treatment or prevention of viral or bacterial diseases using innovative strategies and cutting-edge technologies. These internships are best suited to candidates with a background and interest in virology, microbiology, biochemistry and/or immunology.

Required Education and Experience:

• Candidates must be currently pursuing a minimum of a Bachelor's degree in biology or related major.

• Candidates must have experience with laboratory techniques applicable to molecular biology, microbiology, immunology, or biochemistry such as cell culture, transfection, bacterial handling, ELISAs, PCR, protein analysis, or DNA/RNA manipulation.

• Candidates must have knowledge of Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).

• Candidates must be available to work in-person full-time for up to 12 weeks beginning in late May to early June of 2027.

Preferred Experience and Skills:   

• Candidates should have experience with immunological techniques such as ELISPOT, flow cytometry, or immunostaining or alternatively, experience with virology or bacterial genetics techniques is preferred.

• Candidates should have experience with molecular biology software (e.g., DNASTAR) and/or graphing software (e.g., GraphPad Prism).

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 $39,908 - $111,111.

FTP2027

RL2027

Required Skills:

Preferred Skills:

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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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:

1st - Day

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

May need to work with biohazardous materials.

Job Posting End Date:

10/9/2026

*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.