2027 Future Talent Program – Protein and Structural Chemistry – Co-op

MSD • Boston, MA

5d • Onsite

About The Position

The Future Talent Program offers cooperative education opportunities lasting 4–6 months and involving one or more projects. This six-month Co-op is with the Boston Structural Chemistry group in the Protein and Structural Chemistry department within Discovery Chemistry. The group uses X-ray crystallography, cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM), and complementary structural biology approaches to determine high-resolution structures of therapeutically relevant targets and drug-target complexes, supporting structure-based drug discovery across research programs.

The Co-op will gain hands-on experience with modern structural biology workflows and contribute to projects from early discovery through late-stage development. Depending on project needs and the candidate’s experience, work may involve protein crystallization screening, cryo-EM sample preparation, diffraction or imaging data collection, data processing, structure determination, model building, and structural analysis. The Co-op will work with structural biologists and collaborate with protein scientists, medicinal chemists, computational chemists, and biophysicists to generate insights that guide drug design.

The role includes participation in departmental and project team meetings and opportunities to communicate scientific results through presentations, written reports, and internal research symposia. Additional duties include maintaining accurate electronic laboratory records, operating structural biology laboratory instrumentation, and following safety and compliance requirements. The position requires full-time availability for six consecutive months beginning in 2027 and on-site laboratory work in the Boston area. The posting identifies the role as Intern/Co-op (Fixed Term).

Requirements

• Currently enrolled in a graduate degree program in Structural Biology, Biochemistry, Biophysics, Molecular Biology, Chemistry, or a related discipline.
• Available to work full-time for six consecutive months beginning in 2027.
• Willing to relocate to the Boston area for on-site laboratory work.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a highly collaborative, team-oriented environment.
• Experience with one or more of the following: X-ray crystallography, cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM), protein biochemistry, protein crystallization, structural data processing and analysis, or molecular visualization and structure refinement software.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to structural biology projects spanning early discovery through late-stage development.
• Perform work that may include protein crystallization screening and cryo-EM sample preparation.
• Perform diffraction or imaging data collection, data processing, structure determination, model building, and structural analysis, depending on project needs and experience.
• Collaborate with structural biologists, protein scientists, medicinal chemists, computational chemists, and biophysicists to generate insights that guide drug design.
• Participate in departmental and project team meetings.
• Communicate scientific results through presentations, written reports, and internal research symposia.
• Maintain accurate electronic laboratory records.
• Operate laboratory instrumentation used in structural biology research.
• Follow all safety and compliance requirements.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Intern