2027 Future Talent Program - Payer & Health Systems Oncology - Intern

Job Description

The Future Talent Program features internships that last up to 12 weeks and will include one or more projects. These opportunities in our Research Lab Division can provide you with great development and a chance to see if we are the right company for your long-term goals.

The Future Talent Program provides students with meaningful project-based experience, professional development, and exposure to leaders across the organization. The Payer and Health Systems (PHS) team is seeking a motivated and collaborative 2027 summer intern for a 10-12 week internship to support strategic initiatives focused on oncology, patient access, health systems, and medical affairs.

Primary Responsibilities

Participation in projects alongside the PHS headquarters strategy team to:

• Support development and refinement of health system and payer insight-gathering priorities.

• Analyze and summarize stakeholder insights and identify trends across the oncology landscape.

• Evaluate payer policy, reimbursement, quality, pathway, and regulatory developments affecting oncology care.

• Contribute to field engagement planning resources and internal training materials.

• Collaborate with cross-functional Medical Affairs stakeholders.

• Develop and present findings for project assignments with recommendations to PHS leadership.

Learning Objectives

• Understand the role of U.S. Medical Affairs payer and health system access team within the pharmaceutical industry.

• Gain exposure to payer and health-system decision-making in oncology.

• Learn how stakeholder insights inform medical strategy.

• Strengthen analytical, communication, and project management skills.

Required Education

• Currently pursuing a PharmD, MD, DNP, or other doctoral-level clinical or health sciences degree and returning to school following the internship.

Required Skills

• Strong verbal and written communication skills.

• Strong organizational and project management skills.

• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.

• Ability to work collaboratively in cross-functional teams.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.

Preferred Qualifications

• Interest in oncology, market access, managed care, or medical affairs.

• Familiarity with the pharmaceutical industry or healthcare delivery systems.

• Experience with literature evaluation, data analysis, or insight synthesis.

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:

Current Employees apply HERE

Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

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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. 

Employee Status:

Intern/Co-op (Fixed Term)

Relocation:

No relocation

VISA Sponsorship:

No

Travel Requirements:

No Travel Required

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.