Future Talent Program internships and co-ops are typically posted in early September at the beginning of the fall recruiting season each year. Additional roles may be added throughout the fall and winter months as they become available. All positions are posted until a candidate pool has been identified. Candidates are encouraged to apply as early as possible.
Candidates must be enrolled in a Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Ph.D. program and plan to return to school after completion of the internship (unless the internship is an academic requirement to graduate). Candidates must also be able to commit to full-time employment for 10-12 weeks from in the summer and have U.S. work authorization for the length of the internship.
Candidates must be enrolled in a Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Ph.D. program and plan to return to school after completion of the co-op (unless the co-op is an academic requirement to graduate). Candidates must also be able to commit to full-time employment for 4-6 months and have U.S. work authorization for the length of the co-op.
Sponsorship is not offered by the company for internship or co-op roles. If you are an international student looking to obtain work authorization, please consult your Designated School Official (DSO). Please note that if offered an internship or co-op role, it will be your responsibility to provide work authorization documentation to Merck prior to your internship/co-op start date.
The types of positions that are available vary from year-to-year, however, you can typically find opportunities in the following areas: Research & Development, Marketing, Clinical Regulatory Affairs, Medical Affairs, Manufacturing & Quality Assurance, Policy & Communications, Digital Data & Analytics, Engineering, IT, Sales, Supply Chain, Finance, Human Resources, Business Support, Human Health, and Animal Health.
All majors are encouraged to apply for positions of interest if your skills and experience align with the role. Before applying, please confirm that you have met the listed minimum requirements on the job posting for consideration.
Most positions are in person or hybrid, however, on rare occasions, some roles are posted as 100% remote. We encourage candidates to refer to the listed job postings for this information.
Cover letters and transcripts are generally not required unless otherwise stated in the job posting.
I was a co-op at the Discovery Biologics, South San Francisco site. Merck’s internship/co-op program offers an exceptional experience in the bio-pharmaceutical industry. Working alongside talented scientists on meaningful projects has reconfirmed my passion for science and patient care. With my mentor’s guidance and the support from my manager and department, my co-op project progressed smoothly. I truly appreciate the open and collaborative culture at Merck and I’m grateful for the opportunity to learn about the drug development pipeline.
As a co-op at Merck, I have been immersed in an environment that fosters growth, innovation and leadership. My experience has given me the opportunity to tackle meaningful challenges while expanding my skills in ways that have prepared me for future leadership roles. The culture at Merck has been extremely supportive which drove both my personal and professional development.
I was incredibly lucky to join our company as an intern last summer. My managers and teammates, along with site leadership went above and beyond to help me adjust to the experience and my role in manufacturing, science and technology. Each time I have asked a manager for an opportunity to discuss my career development 1-1 , they have eagerly made time to talk about their experiences and offer advice.
As a former intern turned full time employee, I have experienced nothing but overwhelming support from individuals in every group that I have touched. Every person I have met has been willing to take the time not only to answer my abundant questions but to truly teach me using both their technical expertise and their career experiences.
Since joining our company, I have met so many fantastic people both on my team and in other departments! Whether I am writing a technical report, wanting to learn about a new area of the business or playing volleyball after work, there is someone to connect with. It's great to be somewhere that really fosters a community for employees.
I’ve had the opportunity to work across different areas of the business and no matter where I go within the company, I have always met kind, supportive people. I’ve never encountered anyone who isn’t happy to offer advice on a technical problem, provide feedback on a draft of a report or give guidance on my next career steps. While the purpose of saving and improving lives is already incredibly fulfilling, it’s the people at the company that make it truly a joy to come into work every day.
My journey began with internships in global engineering solutions and small molecule science & technology, leading to my current role in large molecule science & technology. Throughout this experience, I have received invaluable support and mentorship which has allowed me to hone my skills in programming, lab work, project management, critical thinking and teamwork. These experiences have not only shaped my present but have also laid a solid foundation for seizing future growth opportunities within the company.
Since joining our company, I have felt supported in every endeavor I pursue. From managers to team members to mentors to coaches, everyone I’ve met has always been willing to take time out of their day to make me feel welcome and included. People have been happy to show me around and have 1:1 meetings to help answer my questions. This has been extremely valuable in integrating and truly feeling like part of the company.
After completing two internships at our company, I made the decision to pursue full-time employment here for several reasons. Firstly, the company's culture of encouraging and supporting my continuous upskilling across various areas, such as aseptic technique and database management, which I believe will significantly enhance my career development. Moreover, the consistent display of excellence and kindness in the company's culture by my managers, coworkers and site leadership has been a driving force, inspiring me to strive to make a positive difference at our site every day.
For me, working here is all about the people. Everyone is open to connect over coffee or for a deep industry discussion. These connections have not only deepened my business understanding but also led to exposure to other departments, giving me the opportunity to drive impactful initiatives. My purpose is clear: to elevate operational strategies to help patients receive safe, effective treatments.
During my time at the company, I have been privileged to work on three distinct products across different departments, broadening my expertise within the industry. And while I have learned a lot, there is still so much to explore and contribute to. The dedication to investing in employees combined with the unwavering passion for serving patients continues to inspire and drive my commitment of advancing my career at this company.
We're thrilled to announce that Merck is a 2025 Handshake Early Talent Award winner.
The Handshake Early Talent Awards celebrate best-in-class employers that set a powerful example for engaging Gen Z talent early.
For the third consecutive year, Merck has won a Handshake Early Talent Award for being one of the best companies for today’s generational of future talent. We also received a special designation as a Tech Transformer, for being a great place to launch a career in tech.