What are the responsibilities and job description for the 2026 Future Talent Program - Cytometric Profiling - Intern position at Merck?
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 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.
Location: South San Francisco, CA
Duration: 10-12 weeks (Full-time, on-site; start in May or June 2026)
The Cytometric Profiling group within the Department of Profiling & Expression at our company Research Laboratories is dedicated to advancing preclinical immunology and oncology drug development through innovative biomarker discovery and target profiling. We use cutting-edge flow cytometry to analyze human disease tissue and develop impactful biomarker assays.
We are currently seeking a highly motivated and creative student to fill one intern position at our South San Francisco, CA location for the summer of 2026.
The successful candidate will join a collaborative team of immunologists and cell biologists, working hands-on with human blood and disease tissue samples. Specific projects could include one or more of the following types of studies:
Immunophenotyping: Profiling human blood and diseased tissue using high-dimensional flow cytometry
Biomarker Discovery: Identifying and validating target engagement and pharmacodynamic biomarkers for drug candidates
Technology Innovation: Assessing novel technologies and helping develop new platforms
The intern can expect to gain experience in:
Processing human blood and tissue for single-cell analysis workflows
Designing and optimizing multi-parameter flow cytometry panels
Analyzing complex data sets and presenting your findings to diverse audiences
Understanding our Companies' Ways of Working and the drug development pipeline
Education
Must be currently enrolled in a Bachelor of Science (BS) program in Biological Sciences, Cell Biology, or a similar field
Must have completed at least two years toward a BS degree by June 2026
Graduate students (MS or PhD) are also encouraged to apply
Required Skills & Experience:
Must have demonstrated scientific curiosity and analytical thinking
Must have attention to detail and ability to keep accurate records
Preferred Skills and Experience:
Should have completion of upper-division biology coursework
Should have basic understanding of aseptic cell culture techniques
Please note that this position may be closed before the posted end date or may remain open longer, at the discretion of the company.
Under New York City, Colorado State, Washington State, and California State law, the Company is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the salary range for this job. Final determinations with respect to salary will take into account a number of factors, which may include, but not be limited to the primary work location and the chosen candidate’s relevant skills, experience, and education
Salary range:
The salary range for this role is $39,600.00-$105,500.00 USD
FTP2026
RL2026
Required Skills:
Biochemical Assays, Biomarkers, Cell-Based Assays, Cell Cultures, Clinical Immunology, Clinical Research, Cloud Data Catalog, Data Analysis, Database Management, Data Science, Data Security, Data Visualization, Data Wrangling, Detail-Oriented, Flow Cytometry, Immunoassays, Immunofluorescence Microscopy, Immunoprecipitation, Mammalian Cell Culture, Molecular Diagnostics, Project Management, Python (Programming Language), Single Cell Analysis, Software ProficiencyPreferred 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 relocationVISA Sponsorship:
NoTravel Requirements:
No Travel RequiredFlexible Work Arrangements:
Not ApplicableShift:
Not IndicatedValid Driving License:
NoHazardous Material(s):
YesJob Posting End Date:
12/5/2025*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:R362504
Salary : $39,600 - $105,500
