Job Description

The Company Research Laboratories in South San Francisco is an innovation hub designed to foster collaboration among scientists and accelerate discovery of novel medicines to improve human health. The Retinal and Vascular Biology group, part of the Cardiometabolic Disease Department, is seeking a motivated and creative Co-ops with hands on experience in in vivo and in vitro pharmacology. This is an exciting 6-month training opportunity for an aspiring early-career scientist to gain hands-on experience working with colleagues within the group/department, across Research and Development in South San Francisco, and the broader the company network. The ideal candidate will be a Master or PhD student with demonstrated proficiency in animal handling and in vitro assay execution.

EDUCATION MINIMUM REQUIREMENT:

• Currently enrolled in a Master’s or Ph.D. program in Biology, Biotechnology, Biomedical Sciences, Animal Science, Pharmacology or a related field.

• Demonstrated strong interest in drug discovery and pre-clinical research.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES AND REQUIRED SKILLS:

• Employ innovative pharmacological platforms to support target validation and drug discovery efforts.

• Demonstrate proficiency in basic laboratory techniques, including molecular biology assays, samples processing and data analysis.

• Maintain accurate and detailed records in electronic laboratory notebooks and adhere to safe laboratory practices.

• Assist in the design and execution of in vivo pharmacology, pharmacokinetic, and efficacy studies.

• Perform animal handling, dosing, and biological sample collection (blood, tissue, etc.) under supervision.

• Collaborate closely with team members to conduct both in vivo and in vitro experiments.

• Analyze, visualize and interpret data using professional tools such as Spotfire, Excel and GraphPad Prism.

• Communicate experimental results clearly through oral presentations and written reports.

• Exhibit strong organizational skills to manage multiple tasks and deliver results in a timely manner.

• Show a high level of motivation, curiosity, and passion for scientific research.

PREFERRED SKILLS:

• Knowledge or research experience in retinal and/or vascular biology

• Familiarity with pharmacological models relevant to ophthalmic or vascular disease.

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 $39,600.00-$105,500.00 USD

FTP2026

RL2026

Required Skills:

Preferred Skills:

Current Employees apply HERE

Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

US and Puerto Rico Residents Only:

Our company is committed to inclusion, ensuring that candidates can engage in a hiring process that exhibits their true capabilities. Please click here if you need an accommodation during the application or hiring process.

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:

EEOC Know Your Rights

EEOC GINA Supplement​

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.

Learn more about your rights, including under California, Colorado and other US State Acts

U.S. Hybrid Work Model

Effective September 5, 2023, employees in office-based positions in the U.S. will be working a Hybrid work consisting of three total days on-site per week, Monday - Thursday, although the specific days may vary by site or organization, with Friday designated as a remote-working day, unless business critical tasks require an on-site presence.This Hybrid work model does not apply to, and daily in-person attendance is required for, field-based positions; facility-based, manufacturing-based, or research-based positions where the work to be performed is located at a Company site; positions covered by a collective-bargaining agreement (unless the agreement provides for hybrid work); or any other position for which the Company has determined the job requirements cannot be reasonably met working remotely. Please note, this Hybrid work model guidance also does not apply to roles that have been designated as “remote”.

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

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:

No Travel Required

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Not Applicable

Shift:

Not Indicated

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

n/a

Job Posting End Date:

12/12/2025

*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.

Requisition ID:R373926