Data, AI, and Genome Sciences Intern - Foundation Models

Job Description

The Future Talent Program within our Research & Development Division Data, AI, and Genome Sciences (DAGS) Department is offering internships that last 10-12 weeks. We have 1 open position in the AI/ML Methods & Modeling Group. Candidates can apply for the opportunity to be involved in one or more of the projects listed below. The projects are designed to enable students to further develop their skills and to evaluate if we are the right Company for their long-term goals. We are seeking highly motivated students with computational skillsets.

Location: Cambridge, MA

Term: Full-time, 12 weeks

AI/ML Methods & Modeling:

• Develop statistical and computational methods/pipelines to analyze genetic and genomic datasets.

• Analyze of large-scale human genetic and genomic datasets to facilitate discovery of novel targets and biomarkers of disease risk and progression.

• Work within an integrated, interdisciplinary team supporting validation efforts, including bioinformatic analysis of bulk and single-cell sequencing. 

Required Education and Skills:

• Must be currently enrolled in a PhD degree in Computer Science, Statistics, Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, or related technical field.

• Must be available to work full-time for 10-12 weeks beginning in May or June of 2027. 

• Excellent software design and development skills and strong proficiency in Python.

• Strong proficiency in modern ML frameworks (e.g., PyTorch, TensorFlow, JAX) and experience implementing scalable solutions for complex tasks.

• Excellent communication skills and ability to work collaboratively in a multi-disciplinary team.

• Interest in life sciences problems and disease biology, and willing to learn from and teach others.

Preferred Skills and Experience:

• Experience fine-tuning foundation models on multiple GPUs is a strong plus.

• Experience with biological foundation models (e.g., single-cell foundation models) is a strong plus.

• Experience with biological data (e.g., perturb-seq) is a strong plus.

• Publications in top-tier ML conferences (e.g., NeurIPS, ICML, ICLR) is a strong plus.

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

US and Puerto Rico Residents Only:

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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. 

Employee Status:

Intern/Co-op (Fixed Term)

Relocation:

No relocation

VISA Sponsorship:

No

Travel Requirements:

No Travel Required

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Not Applicable

Shift:

Not Indicated

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

NA

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.