2027 Future Talent Program - Research Initiation & Budget Execution - Intern

Merck • North Wales, PA

13h • $39,908 - $111,111 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Future Talent Program features internships that last up to 12 weeks and will include one or more projects. These opportunities in our Research Labs Division can provide you with great development and a chance to see if we are the right company for your long-term goals. The Summer Intern within Non-Interventional Research Management (NIRM) – Research Initiation and Budget Execution (RIBE) resides in the Value & Implementation (V&I) organization, which includes Global Medical and Scientific Affairs. As technology and data strategies rapidly evolve, this role is designed for a forward-thinking student eager to drive operational excellence. The internship lasts up to 12 weeks and will focus on multiple projects centered around process improvement, workflow optimization, and the integration or evaluation of AI-enhanced tools (such as specialized non-interventional research platforms, automated budget management applications, or literature-screening AI tools). The intern's contributions will directly support our mission to enhance operational efficiency, accelerate research initiation, and maximize the value of our research pipeline.

Requirements

• Pursuing a Bachelor’s or master’s degree in business, Data Analytics, Management Information Systems, Health Informatics, the Sciences, or another area of study that aligns with the strategic and analytical background required for this role.
• Returning to school in the Fall of 2027.
• Basic understanding of process optimization frameworks (e.g., Lean, Agile, Six Sigma, or workflow mapping) and problem-solving techniques.
• Analytical and inquisitive mindset with an intermediate-level understanding of data analysis and metric visualization.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to articulate technical or process concepts clearly.
• Strong self-organization and time-management skills in both on-site and remote/hybrid work environments.
• Collaborative team player who is proactive, eager to take initiative, and comfortable working independently on structured tasks.
• Available to work full-time for 12 weeks beginning on June 7, 2027, through August 27, 2027.

Nice To Haves

• High interest in emerging digital technologies, automation, or AI-enhanced tools (such as Generative AI, or smart research platforms) and their application in business workflows.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office 365 applications (Word, Excel, Teams, PowerPoint, Outlook); experience with data visualization tools (e.g., Power BI) or process mapping tools is a plus.
• Prior experience or strong interest in project management, clinical/observational research methodology, or corporate finance.
• Knowledge of or keen interest in the pharmaceutical and healthcare industry.

Responsibilities

• Document, evaluate, and map existing research execution and budget workflows. Identify bottlenecks, operational gaps, and redundancies, and propose actionable, technology-driven solutions or process improvements.
• Partner with team members to pilot, test, evaluate, or enhance innovative AI-enhanced tools and specialized platforms (e.g., the Non-Interventional Research (NIR) Vendor Grading Tool) aimed at automating manual tasks, tracking deliverables, or streamlining literature reviews.
• Collect, analyze, and visualize operational metrics to measure the impact, time savings, and quality improvements generated by newly adopted processes or digital systems.
• Navigate internal processes by coordinating with multidisciplinary stakeholders, documenting best practices, and learning how to execute complex study initiatives in a global corporate environment.
• At the conclusion of the 12-week term, present the results of your primary process improvement or digital tool project(s) along with strategic recommendations to RIBE and NIRM leadership.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Intern
• Education Level: Associate degree