2027 Future Talent Program - Vaccines Process Research & Development Upstream - Co-Op

MSD • Upper Gwynedd Township, PA

4d • $39,908 - $111,111 • Hybrid

About The Position

This 4–6-month cooperative education opportunity in the Vaccines and Advanced Biotechnologies Process Research & Development division offers one or more projects and professional development in a research environment. Under the direction of a project mentor, the co-op will perform lab-scale process development and scale-up studies and develop robust, efficient, scalable cell culture processes for vaccine production. Work may include laboratory-scale fermentation or cell culture, in-process assay support, process scale-up and engineering, inventory coordination for raw materials and equipment, and technology transfer to later-stage development groups. The co-op will contribute as a member of an early-stage process development team and may participate in pilot-scale campaigns for GMP manufacture of bulk clinical material, including campaign preparation, execution, and closeout.

The successful candidate must communicate work results verbally and in writing, maintain careful notes, complete required training, and focus on laboratory safety for themselves and their team. The role is a full-time co-op for 4–6 months in 2027, with one of the stated schedule windows: June–November or March–August. The position is hybrid and has a first-shift/day schedule.

Requirements

• Be enrolled in at least a BS/BA program in Chemical, Biomedical, or Biological Engineering; Bioengineering; Biological Sciences; Biochemistry; Biotechnology; Molecular Biology; Microbiology; or a closely related field.
• Be able to work independently and as part of a team, with self-motivation, adaptability, and a positive attitude.
• Be able to learn new techniques, perform multiple tasks simultaneously, keep accurate records, follow instructions, and comply with company policies.
• Have proven ability to work in a hands-on laboratory setting.
• Have effective organizational, interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
• Be available to work full-time for 4–6 months in 2027, either June–November or March–August.

Nice To Haves

• Direct experience with cell culture or fermentation, upstream process development, and/or expression system development for vaccines or biologics.
• Hands-on experience with immunofluorescence, flow cytometry, and/or virometry (flow-based nanoparticle analysis).

Responsibilities

• Perform lab-scale process development and scale-up studies.
• Develop robust, efficient, scalable cell culture processes for vaccine production.
• Carry out laboratory-scale fermentation or cell culture and support in-process assays.
• Support process scale-up and engineering.
• Maintain or coordinate raw material and equipment inventories to support development experiments.
• Support technology transfer to later-stage development groups.
• Contribute as a key member of an early-stage process development team.
• Potentially support pilot-scale GMP campaigns for bulk clinical material, including preparation, execution, and closeout.
• Communicate work results verbally and in writing, keep careful notes, comply with required training, and maintain laboratory safety.

What This Job Offers

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