2027 Future Talent Program - Chemical Engineering Research & Development Intern

MSD•Rahway, NJ

2d•$39,908 - $111,111•Onsite

About The Position

The Future Talent Program features internships that 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 Chemical Engineering Research and Development department (CERD) within the Small Molecule Process Research & Development (SM PRD) organization and Research Labs division is seeking interns who will operate as fully integrated members of our team for 11-12 weeks during summer 2027. Day-to-day research for the intern will focus on CERD department objectives such as small molecule and cross-modality (ex: antibody-drug-conjugate) active pharmaceutical ingredient (API, also referred to as drug substance) process development using organic synthesis techniques, technology innovation, and process safety evaluation. This internship will provide insight into our department and company culture, teach the fundamentals of the pharmaceutical industry, and highlight opportunities throughout the Research and the Manufacturing divisions. Interns in CERD will participate in departmental and team meetings and have access to seminars on all aspects of pharmaceutical development, as well as the opportunity to network with mentors. Tours of pilot plants and development labs as well as a visit to a drug product formulation facility may be integrated into the internship program to diversify exposure. The CERD department develops the processing knowledge necessary to successfully scale-up and efficiently produce small molecule and cross-modality APIs at clinical and commercial scale. Development efforts focus on ensuring robust, cost-effective, safe, environmentally benign chemical processes and advancing technologies for the laboratories, pilot plants, and manufacturing facilities to secure a competitive advantage for the company. Members also work closely with Pilot Plants and Commercialization sites to ensure the successful transfer and validation of the process and to provide material for clinical trials or product launch, respectively. CERD also invests in the development of new technologies and workflows to enable efficient process development. Spanning all unit operations required for API manufacture – reactions (including biocatalysis), separations (liq-liq extraction, distillation, crystallizations), and isolations (filtration, drying) –the scouting of technologies and evaluation of their applications presents a unique opportunity for innovation and broad impact across the product portfolio. The intern will work with at least one technical mentor on a chemical engineering research project and will be responsible for accurate electronic notebook recording, experimental set-up techniques, interpretation of results, and safe lab practices. By taking ownership of the research project, the intern will utilize their chemical engineering skill set, become a subject matter expert on their topic, and will have the opportunity to present their results to the entire department. We are seeking intern candidates with innovative minds who want to gain hands-on laboratory and scale-up skills. Candidates will have strong communication skills, technical know-how, teamwork, self-initiative, and the ability to work in a multi-functional and collaborative environment.

Requirements

Currently pursuing a Bachelor's degree, Master’s degree, or PhD in Chemical Engineering or Biochemical Engineering with a target graduation date of Winter 2027 or Spring 2028
Available for employment for 11-12 weeks beginning in May or June 2027
Authorized to work in the U.S.
Experience performing lab-based research/process development or shop floor experience in a pilot plant/manufacturing facility in a chemical engineering-related area

Nice To Haves

Strong technical/problem solving skills including grasp of chemical engineering fundamentals
Strong interest in process/technology development and process scale-up moving from laboratory to pilot plant or production scale
Knowledge of organic chemistry and small molecule API synthesis unit operations (e.g. reaction, distillation, extraction, crystallization, filtration, drying)
High level of innovation, creativity, and self-initiative along with the ability to plan and organize activities
Strong communication and collaboration skills

Responsibilities

Operate as fully integrated members of the team for 11-12 weeks during summer 2027.
Focus on CERD department objectives such as small molecule and cross-modality active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) process development using organic synthesis techniques, technology innovation, and process safety evaluation.
Participate in departmental and team meetings.
Have access to seminars on all aspects of pharmaceutical development.
Network with mentors.
Work with at least one technical mentor on a chemical engineering research project.
Be responsible for accurate electronic notebook recording, experimental set-up techniques, interpretation of results, and safe lab practices.
Utilize chemical engineering skill set, become a subject matter expert on their topic, and have the opportunity to present their results to the entire department.