Job Description

The Future Talent Program features co-ops that last 6 months and will include one or more projects.  These opportunities in our Research and Development division can provide you with great development and a chance to see if we are the right company for your long-term goals. 

Our company’s Neuroscience team is seeking a motivated and technically skilled co-op student majoring in the biological sciences, pharmacology or bioengineering. The student should have strong interest in neuroscience and learning about Central Nervous System (CNS) drug discovery. Successful candidates will be able to work independently and will be expected to proactively collaborate with colleagues. 

Primary responsibilities include contributing to the planning and execution of in vitro and/or in vivo experiments that may encompass establishing cell-based model systems, high throughput screening, immunoassays and performing biochemical and immunohistochemical analysis of tissues to support the identification and validation of novel targets to treat CNS diseases. The candidate will be an active participant in the positive and critical scientific dialogue that supports our mission of drug discovery.

The responsibilities of the Early Discovery Neuroscience team member include but are not limited to the following:

• Design, execute, interpret and report in vitro and/or in vivo experiments.
• Assist in developing, executing, and troubleshooting new in vitro or in vivo assays, protocols and/or imaging methods.
• Communication of data clearly and concisely to teams and stakeholders.
• Monitor, review and critically interpret published work to guide their research.
• Collaborate with members from other functional areas, including medicinal chemistry, in vivo and in vitro pharmacology and genetics.

Education Minimum Requirement:

• Candidates must be currently enrolled in a BS/BA/MA/PhD degree program in the biological sciences or related disciplines such as biology, chemistry, pharmacy, or health related fields.

Required Experience and Skills:

• Candidates must have completed at least two years toward degree program by June of 2026
• Candidates must be available to work full-time for 6 months beginning in early to mid-2027
• Candidates must have theoretical knowledge of at least 2 of the following areas: molecular biology techniques, biochemistry, cell culture, neuroscience, functional neuroanatomy, pharmacology, toxicology, fluorescence microscopy, electrophysiology, cell biology and neurological diseases.
• Candidates must have hands-on experience with basic biology/chemistry lab procedures with at least some of the following: patch-clamp electrophysiology, Western blot, ELISA/biochemical assays, PCR, sterile cell culture with mammalian cell lines, primary neuron culture and human stem cells (iPSCs), calcium imaging and in vivo experience or rodent pain-behaviour testing is highly desirable. Candidates with a strong interest and demonstrated ability to learn these techniques will also be considered
• Candidates must have strong desire to develop knowledge of neuroscience drug discovery and work in a multidisciplinary team environment.
• Candidates must have demonstrated ability to perform accurate data collection and analysis and presentation of results.

Preferred Experience and Skills:

• Candidates should have previous neuroscience, biochemistry, molecular biology class work.
• Candidates should have experience with molecular biology assays AND/OR in vitro cell culture techniques AND/OR rodent behaviour, animal handling, dosing procedures, tissue processing.
• Candidates should demonstrate interest in conducting experiments to determine efficacy of test compounds, establish dose-response and pharmacokinetic/ pharmacodynamic relationships, investigate biomarker responses and target engagement or modulation in vitro or in vivo.
• Candidates should have excellent oral and written communication skills, including preparation of lab reports and presentations.
• Candidates should have strong attention to detail.

Please note that this position may be closed before the posted end date or may remain open longer, at the discretion of the company.

Salary range:
The salary range for this role is $39,908 - $111,111

FTP2027

RL2027

Required Skills:

Preferred Skills:

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Our company is committed to inclusion, ensuring that candidates can engage in a hiring process that exhibits their true capabilities. Please click here if you need an accommodation during the application or hiring process.

As an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, we provide equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.  As a federal contractor, we comply with all affirmative action requirements for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.  For more information about personal rights under the U.S. Equal Opportunity Employment laws, visit:

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We are proud to be a company that embraces the value of bringing together, talented, and committed people with diverse experiences, perspectives, skills and backgrounds. The fastest way to breakthrough innovation is when people with diverse ideas, broad experiences, backgrounds, and skills come together in an inclusive environment. We encourage our colleagues to respectfully challenge one another’s thinking and approach problems collectively.

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San Francisco Residents Only: We will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records for employment in compliance with the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance

Los Angeles Residents Only: We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance

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Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, Rahway, NJ, USA, does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. All CVs / resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at our company without a valid written search agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of our company.  No fee will be paid in the event a candidate is hired by our company as a result of an agency referral where no pre-existing agreement is in place. Where agency agreements are in place, introductions are position specific. Please, no phone calls or emails. 

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