Job Description

The Future Talent Program features Cooperative (Co-op) education that lasts up to 6 months and will include one or more projects. These opportunities in our Research Lab 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 & Development Division’s Pharmaceutical Sciences & Clinical Supplies organization is responsible for translating a therapeutic agent into a functional drug product optimized for patients. The Discovery Pharmaceutical Sciences Department in South San Francisco CA, is seeking a co-op who will work collaboratively in a team environment to help solve key challenges in formulation development and manufacturing of oral, sterile, and specialty (inhaled, implantable) pharmaceutical products including small molecule, peptides biologics and vaccines. The Discovery Pharmaceutical Sciences Department is a multidisciplinary research group that provides drug delivery, solid state and solution chemistry tools in Drug Discovery and Early Development.

Potential research projects include, but are not limited to the following:

• Engineering polymer/API composite particles for injectable formulation.

• Characterization and formulation of biologics or other complex modalities.

• Design, formulation, and characterization of lipid based delivery systems.

We are seeking candidates at all levels with strong academic performance, communication skills, teamwork, and the ability to work in a multi- functional environment. The co-op will participate in departmental and project team meetings to provide a broad perspective on the drug development process in the pharmaceutical industry. In addition, the co-op student will have an opportunity to present their research results in both oral and written formats. During your co-op appointment you will work closely with an experienced pharmaceutical industry scientist on a research project.

Required Education and Experience:

• Candidates must be a currently enrolled undergraduate sophomore, junior, or senior student pursuing a bachelor’s degree OR a currently enrolled graduate student pursuing a Masters or Ph.D. in Pharmaceutics, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, or Engineering.

• Candidates must be available to work full-time for up to 4-6 months during 2027.

Preferred Experience and Skills:

• Candidates should have significant interest in Pharmaceutical Sciences & Clinical Supplies

• Candidates should have basic laboratory skills and research experience, such as: electronic notebook recording, HPLC, spectroscopy, analytical techniques, and safe lab practices

• 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.

Salary range:
The salary range for this role is $39,908 - $111,111 ​USD

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.

Learn more about your rights, including under California, Colorado and other US State Acts

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

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.