Future Talent Program Co-op - Protein and Structural Chemistry

Job Description

The Future Talent Program features Cooperative (Co-op) education that lasts 4-6 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.

Job Description

We are seeking a 6-month Co-op to join the Boston Structural Chemistry group within the Protein and Structural Chemistry (PSC) department in Discovery Chemistry. Our group applies X-ray crystallography, cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM), and complementary structural biology approaches to determine high-resolution structures of therapeutically relevant targets and drug-target complexes. These efforts support structure-based drug discovery across a portfolio of research programs.

The Co-op will gain hands-on experience with modern structural biology workflows and contribute to projects spanning early discovery through late-stage development. Depending on project needs and candidate experience, responsibilities may include protein crystallization screening, cryo-EM sample preparation, diffraction or imaging data collection, data processing, structure determination, model building, and structural analysis. The successful candidate will work alongside structural biologists and collaborate with protein scientists, medicinal chemists, computational chemists, and biophysicists to generate insights that guide drug design.

The Co-op will participate in departmental and project team meetings, providing exposure to multidisciplinary drug discovery efforts in the pharmaceutical industry. Opportunities will be provided to communicate scientific results through presentations, written reports, and internal research symposia.

Additional responsibilities include maintaining accurate electronic laboratory records, operating laboratory instrumentation used in structural biology research, and following all safety and compliance requirements.

Required Education and Skills

• Currently enrolled in a graduate degree program in Structural Biology, Biochemistry, Biophysics, Molecular Biology, Chemistry, or a related discipline
• Available to work full-time for six consecutive months beginning in 2027
• Willing to relocate to the Boston area for on-site laboratory work
• Strong organizational, analytical, and communication skills
• Ability to work effectively in a highly collaborative, team-oriented environment
• Experience with one or more of the following:
• X-ray crystallography
• Cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM)
• Protein biochemistry
• Protein crystallization
• Structural data processing and analysis
• Molecular visualization and structure refinement software, such as PyMOL, Coot, ChimeraX, or Phenix

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:

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:

10%

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Not Applicable

Shift:

Not Indicated

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

Yes

Job Posting End Date:

11/20/2026

*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.