Summer Intern/Medicinal Chemistry

GSK Internships & Co-ops powered by Atrium • Upper Providence, PA

15d • $22 - $43

About The Position

Uniting science, technology and talent to get ahead of disease together.
GSK is a global biopharma company with a special purpose – to unite science, technology and talent to get ahead of disease together – so we can positively impact the health of billions of people and deliver stronger, more sustainable shareholder returns – as an organisation where people can thrive. We prevent and treat disease with vaccines, specialty and general medicines. We focus on the science of the immune system and the use of new platform and data technologies, investing in four core therapeutic areas (infectious diseases, HIV, respiratory/ immunology and oncology).
Our success absolutely depends on our people. While getting ahead of disease together is about our ambition for patients and shareholders, it’s also about making GSK a place where people can thrive. We want GSK to be a place where people feel inspired, encouraged and challenged to be the best they can be. A place where they can be themselves – feeling welcome, valued, and included. Where they can keep growing and look after their wellbeing. So, if you share our ambition, join us at this exciting moment in our journey to get Ahead Together.
The Discovery Chemistry department is currently seeking a 12-week summer intern who will focus on using organic synthesis and modern industrial and chemical technologies to solve key challenges as part of a GSK chemistry project or program.
The Discovery Chemistry group partners with program teams across GSK’s research organization to deliver high-quality small molecules, from hit generation through late-stage optimization. The successful applicant will be part of a highly productive team responsible for designing and synthesizing drug molecules for development.
The role involves synthesis of new chemical entities, medicinal chemistry data analytics, designing compounds to test medicinal chemistry hypotheses, and/or learning technological advances when opportunities arise. You will be completely embedded within a project team with specific accountabilities to help deliver on objectives by immersion in team meetings, brainstorming sessions, and interaction with adjacent disciplines. You will be matched with an experienced scientist who will also support your project to enable success, and have the opportunity to engage with other scientific leaders across the department. These interactions promote and facilitate relationships that can last beyond the duration of this role.
The intern is responsible for accurate notebook recording, reaction set-up techniques, simple workup procedures, thin layer and flash chromatography, basic NMR and mass spectroscopy interpretation, and safe laboratory practices. This experience will enable students to improve their organic chemistry knowledge while gaining exposure to medical chemistry problem-solving, structure-activity relationships, high-throughput experimentation, and modern methods of parallel synthesis. Students will also learn how this skillset translates into one of the key engines of small-molecule drug discovery and how this area of science fits into their overall professional development goals.
GSK scientists will highlight past achievements and deliver tutorials focusing on fundamental principles through lunch & learn engagement sessions. You will have the opportunity to showcase your work and achievements to the department in a presentation at the end of the term.

Requirements

• Pursuing a BS/BA in Chemistry OR
• Pursuing MS/MA, or PhD student in Organic Chemistry
• Experience with basic mass spectroscopy and NMR interpretation.
• Experience with purification and isolation of organic molecules, including flash chromatography
• Must be able to work full-time (35-40 hours/week) throughout the 12 week internship (May/June ~ August 2026).
• Must have an active student status and/or within 12 months post-graduation from a BS or MS degree program.
• Post-doctoral candidates are not eligible.
• Must successfully pass a drug screen and background check prior to assignment target start date.

Nice To Haves

• Candidate with research focus in organic/synthetic chemistry and with undergraduate research experience
• Candidate with prior biotech research or pharmaceutical co-op/internship experience
• Track record of working in a team environment

Responsibilities

• synthesis of new chemical entities
• medicinal chemistry data analytics
• designing compounds to test medicinal chemistry hypotheses
• learning technological advances when opportunities arise
• accurate notebook recording
• reaction set-up techniques
• simple workup procedures
• thin layer and flash chromatography
• basic NMR and mass spectroscopy interpretation
• safe laboratory practices

Benefits

• Candidates who are hired for an on-site role or hybrid role, and reside outside of 50-miles from their assigned work location, are eligible for relocation stipend.
• This is a one-time payment to help offset housing & relocation expenses.
• GSK Interns and Co-ops are offered a competitive hourly pay rate and benefits.
• Please note, benefits eligibility determined the month following date of hire.

What This Job Offers

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