2027 Future Talent Program – Biocatalysis - Co-op

MSD•Rahway, NJ

1d•$39,908 - $111,111•Onsite

About The Position

The Future Talent Program features cooperative (co-op) education that last 4-6 months and will include one or more projects. These opportunities in our Research Division can provide you with great development and a chance to see if we are the right company for your long-term goals. The Biocatalysis group within the Small Molecule Process Research & Development Department at our company is seeking motivated candidates to contribute to the invention, development, and innovative implementation of biocatalysts to advance the company pipeline and impact on the scientific community. The candidates will work alongside company scientists in a laboratory environment to impact our drug discovery, development, and manufacture in the following key areas: biocatalysis, enzyme engineering, microfluidics, and fermentation. The role will involve the development of novel approaches, novel proteins, and enzyme-catalyzed reactions to enable access to biologically active compounds and chemical reactions relevant to the synthesis of drug-like molecules. Day-to-day research for the co-op will focus on solving key challenges in: (a) biocatalysis, which is the development of novel enzymatic transformations and expansion of the biocatalytic toolbox to solve complex chemistry problems, (b) protein engineering, which is the design and engineering of proteins with novel functions, (c) microfluidics, screening and platform development including laboratory automation, data science, modeling and informatics, (d) fermentation, designing and executing improved methods to ensure robust enzyme production, and more! Candidates will leverage their chemistry, biology, engineering and/or analytical expertise to solve complex technical problems while working in both chemistry and biology laboratory spaces. The co-op will provide an opportunity to gain firsthand knowledge on how the company's Research Labs develops and uses technologies to progress medicines and vaccines. Co-ops will participate in departmental and project team meetings to provide a broad perspective on the drug discovery or development process in the pharmaceutical industry. Co-ops will also gain skillsets via exposure to practical aspects and day-to-day problems of pharmaceutical research. Co-ops 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. Please note when applying for this position, if the candidate is selected for an interview, the applicant must be prepared to submit letters of recommendation and a brief research statement and a copy of transcripts.

Requirements

Currently enrolled sophomore, junior, or senior student pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biological Sciences, Chemical Engineering, Bioengineering or Material Science; OR a currently enrolled graduate student pursuing a Master's or Ph. D. in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biological Sciences, Chemical Engineering, Bioengineering or Material Science.
Completed at least two years of study toward a bachelor’s degree by June 2027.
Available to work full-time for approximately 4-6 months beginning in May 2027.
Authorized to work in the United States.
Basic laboratory skills and research experiences such as the use of lab notebook recording and safe lab practices.

Nice To Haves

Significant interest in organic chemistry, enzymology, protein design, directed evolution, chemical engineering or bioengineering, and/or high throughput screening.
Molecular biology, synthetic biology, and materials science and engineering are also relevant disciplines.
Experience and/or exposure to chemistry laboratory set-up techniques for multiple unit operations, including but not limited to reactions, workups (including liquid-liquid extraction), use of vacuum evaporation devices, and multiple purification techniques such as thin-layer chromatography, flash chromatography, crystallization, and precipitation.
Experience and/or exposure to the use of analytical techniques and data interpretation such as high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, mass spectrometry (MS), and spectrophotometric techniques.
Experience and/or exposure to fermentation process development, including both upstream and downstream unit operations.
Experience and/or exposure to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques, biochemical assays, and data analysis.
Experience and/or exposure to programming languages including Python or MATLAB and (structural) data visualization tools.
GPA of 3.0 or higher.

Responsibilities

Contribute to the invention, development, and innovative implementation of biocatalysts.
Work alongside company scientists in a laboratory environment to impact drug discovery, development, and manufacture.
Develop novel approaches, novel proteins, and enzyme-catalyzed reactions.
Solve key challenges in biocatalysis, protein engineering, microfluidics, and fermentation.
Leverage chemistry, biology, engineering and/or analytical expertise to solve complex technical problems.
Gain firsthand knowledge on how the company's Research Labs develops and uses technologies to progress medicines and vaccines.
Participate in departmental and project team meetings.
Gain skillsets via exposure to practical aspects and day-to-day problems of pharmaceutical research.
Be responsible for and trained in methods for accurate electronic notebook recording and safe laboratory practices.
Present research results in both oral and written formats.