Job Description

2027 Future Talent Program - Global Regulatory Affairs & Compliance US Subsidiary - Intern

Drug Shortages & Support Functions (DSSF)

The Future Talent Program features internships that last up to 12 weeks 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

This intern position is part of the Global Regulatory Affairs and Clinical Safety (GRACS) US Subsidiary function within our Company's Research Laboratories. This is an exciting time to join the US Subsidiary regulatory space, as we navigate evolving expectations and drive impactful change in our industry. 

The US Subsidiary team serves as a trusted regulatory center of excellence leading strategic interactions with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) related to drug shortages and other regulatory support activities. The team partners with stakeholders across Regulatory Affairs, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Quality, Medical Affairs, Communications, and Legal to help prevent, mitigate, and minimize the impact of supply disruptions on patients, while ensuring compliance with applicable regulatory requirements.

The organization also supports regulatory intelligence activities, process improvement initiatives, FDA inquiries, and industry engagement to advance supply resiliency efforts. Flexibility and agility in responding to evolving business processes are crucial, as expectations continually change.

As a Summer Intern, you will have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in pharmaceutical regulatory affairs by supporting the Drug Shortages & Support Functions team and various company and industry-wide initiatives through cross-functional collaboration with internal and external stakeholders. The intern will contribute to projects focused on regulatory intelligence, regulatory strategy, and drug shortage prevention activities while working alongside experienced regulatory professionals.

Primary Activities

Under the supervision of the US Subsidiary Drug Shortages & Support Functions team, the intern may:

• Support monitoring and analysis of U.S. drug shortage regulations, FDA communications, and emerging regulatory trends

• Assist with maintaining and enhancing internal resources, playbooks, procedures, and training materials

• Conduct research and regulatory intelligence assessments related to drug shortages, supply continuity, and shortage prevention initiatives

• Engage with external industry working groups to advance supply resiliency initiatives

• Support departmental initiatives including but not limited to digital innovation and automation projects, to support business process improvements and operational effectiveness

• Develop presentations, reports, and communication materials for internal stakeholders

• Participate in cross-functional discussions supporting regulatory strategy development for actual or potential supply disruptions

Required Education

• Candidates must be currently pursuing:

  • Bachelor of Science (BS) degree, or

  • Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree

• Candidates must be enrolled in an accredited college or university and returning to school following completion of the internship

Required Experience and Skills

• Demonstrated interest in pharmaceutical industry, healthcare, policy, life sciences, regulatory affairs, or related disciplines

• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and critical-thinking skills

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail

• Ability to manage multiple assignments and prioritize effectively

• Demonstrated leadership through academic, professional, volunteer, or extracurricular activities

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, PowerPoint, Word, and Teams

• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a team environment

• Willingness to learn and adapt in a dynamic business environment

Preferred Experience and Skills

• Coursework or experience in pharmacy, pharmaceutical sciences, regulatory affairs, healthcare, public health, biotechnology, or life sciences

• Knowledge of FDA regulations, pharmaceutical manufacturing, supply chain operations, or drug development processes

• Experience conducting scientific, regulatory, or business research

• Familiarity with data analysis, visualization, or automation tools (e.g., Power BI, Power Automate, AI-enabled technologies)

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 $39,108 through $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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