2027 Future Talent Program - Device Development & Technology - Systems & Human Factors Engineering - Co-op

Merck • Rahway, NJ

8d • $39,908 - $111,111

About The Position

The Future Talent Program offers co-ops of up to six months, with projects designed to support professional growth. This Research & Development Division opportunity is within the Pharmaceutical Sciences & Device Development organization, which translates therapeutic agents into functional drug products optimized for patients. The Device Development & Technology team develops and commercializes delivery devices, including dry powder and metered dose inhalers, nasal systems, and parenteral systems such as ophthalmic products, injectables, and implants.

The co-op will work with experienced pharmaceutical industry scientists on research projects related to device development, human factors, and risk management. The role includes participation in departmental and project meetings and provides opportunities to present research results orally and in writing. The co-op will support human factors activities, maintain device risk management documentation, conduct literature and database reviews, perform user research, and analyze quantitative and qualitative data. The appointment is for up to six months in 2027 and is based in Rahway, New Jersey.

Requirements

• Be a currently enrolled undergraduate sophomore, junior, or senior pursuing a bachelor's degree, or a currently enrolled graduate student pursuing a master's or Ph.D. in Human Factors, Biomedical Engineering, Psychology, Industrial Engineering, Usability Engineering, Biomechanics, Cognitive Science, or an equivalent field.
• Be available to work full-time for up to six months in 2027.
• Have completed at least two years of bachelor's degree studies by June 2027.
• Ability to apply user-centered design, human factors, and risk management principles to product research, development, and design.
• Experience conducting literature reviews and selecting and implementing appropriate risk management and human factors/user experience research methodologies, such as user interviews, survey design, and research study design.
• Ability to analyze and synthesize large quantities of information into usable communications, literature reviews, and/or presentations.
• Demonstrated analytical skills and aptitude for quickly learning advanced domain knowledge.
• Excellent verbal, written, and formal presentation skills, and ability to collaborate with multidisciplinary teams.

Nice To Haves

• Knowledge of medical devices, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, or a similar regulated industry.
• M.S. and Ph.D. candidates are strongly preferred.
• GPA of 3.0 or higher.

Responsibilities

• Support the planning, conduct, and reporting of human factors activities, including identifying user needs, mapping user journeys and profiles, planning and executing usability studies, developing instructions for use and user training, documenting known use problems, analyzing tasks and use errors, assessing and managing risks, and analyzing post-launch outcomes.
• Maintain device risk management documentation by conducting risk assessments; evaluating failure modes, causes, and effects (FMEA/FMEDA); and updating risk controls and mitigation strategies using postmarket surveillance, complaint data, and customer feedback.
• Conduct independent literature and database reviews to identify relevant scientific and regulatory evidence, synthesize findings, and summarize implications for risk management and human factors work.
• Conduct primary user research using methods such as surveys, interviews, and usability testing to discover user behaviors and motivations and explore research directions and methodologies.
• Perform quantitative and qualitative data analysis and turn research insights into actionable, compelling deliverables.
• Participate in departmental and project team meetings and present research results in oral and written formats.
• Perform other job-related duties or special projects as appropriate.

What This Job Offers

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