Discovery Chemistry & Process Research Intern

Merck KGaA Darmstadt Germany • Rahway, NJ

124d • $39,600 - $105,500 • Onsite

About The Position

The Future Talent Program features internships that last up to 12 weeks and include working on one or more specially designed projects. These opportunities in our Research & 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 company's Research Lab's Discovery and Process Research Departments across multiple geographies are seeking summer interns with a passion for scientific research, strong academic performance, communication skills, and the ability to work on cross-functional teams. We offer opportunities in our state-of-the-art science laboratories to solve fundamental synthetic or biological problems relevant to drug discovery and development, while functioning as fully integrated members of the company project teams. Discovery Chemistry and Process Research (Boston, MA; Rahway, NJ: West Point, PA; South San Francisco, CA) The candidates will work alongside company scientists in an organic synthesis laboratory to invent novel biologically active compounds and chemical reactions relevant to the synthesis of drug-like molecules (e. g. small molecules, cyclic peptides, and bioconjugates). Day-to-day research for the intern will focus on solving key challenges in reaction design utilizing the latest advances in organic synthesis. In addition to the discovery and development of synthetic routes to potential drug candidates, interns may focus/engage in bio- and chemocatalysis screening and development, laboratory automation, flow chemistry, labeled compound synthesis, and data science and informatics. The interns will participate in departmental and project team meetings to provide a broad perspective on the drug discovery or development process in the pharmaceutical industry. Interns will also gain skillsets via exposure to practical aspects and day-to-day problems of pharmaceutical research. Interns will be responsible for and trained in methods for accurate electronic notebook recording and safe laboratory practices. In addition, they will have an opportunity to present their research results in both oral and written formats.

Requirements

• Currently enrolled sophomore, junior, or senior students pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Chemistry.
• Currently enrolled graduate students pursuing a Master's or Ph.D. in Chemistry.
• Completed at least two years of studies toward a Bachelor's degree by June 2026.
• Available to work full-time for approximately 10-12 weeks from May - August 2026.

Nice To Haves

• Significant interest in organic chemistry in industry.
• Basic laboratory skills and previous research experience.
• Use of various experimental techniques and electronic notebook recording.
• GPA of 3.0 or higher.

Responsibilities

• Work on specially designed projects in the Research & Development Division.
• Collaborate with company scientists in an organic synthesis laboratory.
• Invent novel biologically active compounds and chemical reactions.
• Solve key challenges in reaction design utilizing advances in organic synthesis.
• Engage in bio- and chemocatalysis screening and development.
• Participate in departmental and project team meetings.
• Record research accurately in electronic notebooks.
• Present research results in oral and written formats.

Benefits

• Exposure to practical aspects of pharmaceutical research.
• Opportunity to work in state-of-the-art science laboratories.
• Gain skillsets relevant to drug discovery and development.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Intern
• Industry: Chemical Manufacturing
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree