2026 Future Talent Program - Protein and Structural Chemistry - Co-op

MSD

89d • $39,600 - $105,500

About The Position

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 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. The Protein and Structural Chemistry team within Discovery Chemistry uses multidisciplinary approaches to determine structures of critical therapeutic targets. Our structural chemistry group supports the drug-discovery pipeline by elucidating mechanisms of action and enabling structure-based drug design to accelerate development of medicines that benefit patients worldwide. We are seeking a motivated and collaborative Co-op to join our cryo-EM Center of Excellence for a full-time, six-month placement beginning in spring/summer 2026. This is an excellent opportunity for a student who wants hands-on experience in modern structural biology, with a focus on cutting-edge cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) and protein biochemistry.

Requirements

• Must be currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate degree program in Structural Biology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, or a related field at the time of the co-op.
• Must be available to work full time for six months beginning in spring/summer 2026.
• Must have hands-on experience with cryo-EM, including sample vitrification, data processing, and evaluation of results.
• Must have prior research laboratory experience and a strong interest in protein biochemistry and structural biology.
• Must have experience with cryo-EM processing software (e.g., cryoSPARC, ChimeraX).

Nice To Haves

• Should have experience interpreting 3D reconstructions and using model-building/validation workflows.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and optimize cryoEM sample preparation.
• Assist with experimental design and execution of novel approaches for structure determination using cryo-EM.
• Participate in data-collection sessions as appropriate.
• Critically evaluate cryo-EM sample optimization and data quality; perform data processing and image analysis.
• Maintain accurate electronic laboratory notebook records and document experimental results.
• Maintain a clean, safe laboratory environment and adhere to institutional safety practices.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary scientists across Discovery Chemistry and related groups.

Benefits

• Equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment.
• Commitment to inclusion and diversity.
• Compliance with affirmative action requirements for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Intern
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees