2027 Future Talent Program - Vaccines, Infectious Disease and General and Specialty Medicine Global Research Management (GRM) - Intern

Job Description

The Future Talent Program features internships that lasts up to 12 weeks and will include one or more projects. These opportunities in our Research & 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 Is Done By

We are currently recruiting for a summer intern on the Vaccines, Infectious Disease and General and Specialty Medicine Global Research Management (GRM) team. GRM resides within the Global Medical and Scientific Affairs organization. GRM delivers operational excellence during Non-Interventional study conduct to help inform health care decisions that will enable improved access for patients.

Activities include:

• Ensuring real world data generation is executed in a high quality and compliant manner aligned with our SOPs and policies.

• Confirming supplier services are delivered as expected per external party agreements and study protocols.

• Efficiently operationalizing scientific research to ensure on-time delivery of key data demonstrating the value of our products and vaccines.

• Reducing the operational burden on Scientists to allow them to focus on the science.

This position will entail supporting several internal business initiatives and shadowing observational research projects in support of reimbursement activities, publications, or fulfillment of regulatory commitments. The role requires skills with MS Office applications, project management, oral and written communication, data analytics, and presentation/public speaking, and a strong aptitude for utilizing technology (including IT and AI tools) to automate and improve processes. This includes understanding basic research methodology, managing timelines/tracking deliverables, navigating through required internal processes, collecting data/metrics and running analyses, and facilitating meetings with internal and external parties.

In addition, ad-hoc requests such as participating in process improvement initiatives (such as developing automated workflows or dashboards), contributing to ongoing study tasks (such as performing data quality control and organizing system repositories), preparing study-related documents and templates (such as entering information into a final study report template), and shadowing a current Research Manager may be included. At the conclusion of the term, the intern will share results of their primary project(s) and recommended actions as a final project presentation.

Applicants should have a career interest in supporting and conducting observational research, project/budget management and learning how to execute studies/initiatives. They should have the ability to develop and implement timelines, follow up with team members and demonstrate a collaborative spirit, communicate updates and results, and recommend technological or procedural best practices learned on the job. If you are the kind of individual who thrives on challenges within a changing environment and possesses the diligence, curiosity, leadership, and business skills that are of value to our company, we invite you to apply.

Scope of Work and Key Responsibilities:

The intern will join our team to assist with several critical initiatives that will enhance our operational efficiency and support ongoing non-interventional research activities. The interns’ work will be integral to advancing key projects and providing valuable support across multiple functions.

Specific focus areas may include:

• Process Automation and Study Close Out: Shadow current study close-outs to identify inefficiencies and compile open questions. Brainstorm and help design automated processes to streamline study close-outs, incorporating current and new best practices.

• Project Management and Coordination: The intern will manage timelines, track deliverables, and facilitate communication among internal and external stakeholders. This will ensure that projects progress smoothly and deadlines are met, supporting overall team productivity.

• Process Improvement and Documentation: The interns would contribute to process enhancement initiatives, which may include creation of onboarding materials for ESA/dossier processes, development of a resource review form, or generation of compliance checklist for NIS.

• Observational Research Support: By shadowing current Research Managers and participating in research projects, the intern will gain exposure to research methodologies, data collection, quality control, and analysis. This hands-on involvement will support the accuracy and integrity of our study data.

• Communication and Presentation: The intern will regularly communicate project updates, coordinate meetings, and deliver a final presentation summarizing project outcomes and recommendations, thereby supporting knowledge sharing and continuous improvement.

Value to the Team:

This internship will provide essential support to our team by accelerating project timelines, introducing innovative technological and automation solutions, and enhancing data management practices, improving compliance and onboarding processes, and enhancing data management practices. The intern’s contributions will free up team members to focus on higher-level strategic activities while fostering a collaborative environment that encourages learning and innovation.

We believe this internship is a valuable investment that will not only support current business needs but also develop future talent aligned with our organizational goals.

Required Education & Experience

• Candidates must be currently pursuing a Bachelor's or Master’s degree in the sciences or another area of study that would align with the background required for this type of internship.

• Candidates must be returning to school in the Fall of 2027

• Candidates must have a basic understanding of problem-solving techniques

• Candidates must have a basic understanding of data analysis

• Candidates must have excellent written and verbal communication skills

• Candidates must have outstanding ability to organize information and manage one’s own time in both on-site and remote environments

• Candidates must have a positive, proactive, can-do attitude

• Candidates must be available to work full-time for 12 weeks.

Preferred Experience & Skills

• Candidates should have Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Teams, PowerPoint, Outlook)

• Candidates should be an excellent team player who is able to readily take on responsibilities and work independently

• Candidates should have a strong interest in project management

• Candidates should have experience with or strong interest in task/time management applications and dashboard creation.

• Candidates should have foundational IT/AI experience or a strong interest in learning how to automate business procedures

• Candidates should have team collaboration applications

• Candidates should have task or time management applications

• Candidates should have knowledge of the Pharmaceutical industry

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 ​USD

FTP2027

RL2027

Required Skills:

Preferred Skills:

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Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

Search Firm Representatives Please Read Carefully 
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. 

Employee Status:

Intern/Co-op (Fixed Term)

Relocation:

No relocation

VISA Sponsorship:

No

Travel Requirements:

10%

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Hybrid

Shift:

Not Indicated

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

n/a

Job Posting End Date:

10/9/2026

*A job posting is effective until 11:59:59PM on the day BEFORE the listed job posting end date. Please ensure you apply to a job posting no later than the day BEFORE the job posting end date.