Merck Hiring Co-op: Discovery Oncology

Job Description

The Future Talent Program features Cooperative (Co-op) education that lasts up to 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 Discovery Oncology team in Boston, MA is seeking a highly motivated and technically skilled student majoring in the biological or pharmaceutical sciences for a co-op opportunity. The applicant should have a strong interest in cancer research and in learning about oncology drug discovery. Successful candidates will be able to work independently and will be expected to proactively collaborate with colleagues.

The co-op will work with a scientific mentor to develop and carry out biochemical and/or cell-based assays to characterize new therapeutic targets and potential therapeutic molecules. Techniques used will include, but are not limited to, cancer cell line culture, proliferation assays, genomic perturbation techniques, western blotting, RT-qPCR, and flow cytometry.

Responsibilities of the Discovery Oncology co-op may include:

• Design, execute, interpret, and report in vitro experiments.
• Assist in developing, executing, and troubleshooting new cell-based assays.
• Communicate data clearly and concisely to teams and stakeholders.
• Monitor, review, and critically interpret published work to guide your own research.
• Collaborate with members of other functional areas, including medicinal chemistry, in vivo and in vitro pharmacology, and genetics.

Required Education and Skills:

• Candidates must be currently enrolled in a minimum of a BS/BA degree in biological sciences or a related discipline.
• Candidates must be available to work full-time for up to (6) consecutive months beginning in early to mid-2027.
• Candidates must be enrolled in a co-op program through their college or university.
• Candidates must have a strong desire to develop knowledge of oncology drug discovery.
• Candidates must have experience with basic laboratory procedures, such as pipetting, solution preparation, and plate-based assays. Experience with molecular biology is a plus.
• Candidates must have experience with basic mammalian cell culture.
• Candidates must have demonstrated ability to perform accurate data analysis.

Preferred Experience and Skills:

• Candidates should be strong collaborators with excellent oral and written communication skills, including preparation of lab reports and presentations.
• Candidates should have strong attention to detail.
• Candidates should have prior research experience.

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.