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 Support Function Division can provide you with great development and a chance to see if we are the right company for your long-term goals.

Our company's Research Laboratories Communications team is seeking a summer intern to support internal and external communications programs related to our company’s robust research & development (R&D) pipeline. You’ll work alongside our team and cross-functionally with editorial, analytics, media relations and employee engagement colleagues to help shape scientific storytelling grounded in our company's purpose: using leading‑edge science to save and improve lives.

Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Collaborate with the editorial team to create content featuring our scientists, state-of-the-art labs and R&D pipeline efforts, including written, visual and video content for our corporate website, social channels and intranet.

• Support employee engagement and internal events (e.g., town halls); prepare briefing materials, coordinate logistics and create supporting content.

• Assist with media relations tactics; draft press releases, field media inquiries, track news coverage and compiling and compile media reports

• Partner with the analytics team to measure R&D content performance and evaluate how to improve audience reach and engagement for both internal and external channels

• Collaborate cross-functionally with subject‑matter experts across our Research and Development Division and Corporate Affairs to facilitate reviews and ensure accuracy of communications.

• Conduct research to inform R&D communication strategies and initiatives

• Support our Research and Development Division and BD&L communications team in day-to-day tasks and special projects including business development

• undefined

What you’ll learn & development opportunities:

• Practical experience developing scientific communications for diverse audiences

• Media relations basics and measurement-driven content strategy

• Cross-functional collaboration across Corporate Affairs, our Research and Development Division and business development

• Mentorship from communications leaders and feedback to support professional growth

Required Education and Skills

• Candidates must be currently in their junior year or above pursuing a college degree preferably in a related field (e.g., Business, English, Marketing/Communications) OR have a minimum of a high school diploma and have completed at least 1 internship, apprenticeship, co-op or equivalent professional role in a communications-related field.

• Candidates must be available to work full-time for the summer months beginning in May 2026 through August 2026.

• Candidates must have proficiency with Windows-based applications (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)

• Experience creating digital and social content preferred, video production skills a plus

Preferred Education and Skills

• Creative and passionate, with a solid understanding of communications, public relations and social media fundamentals.

• Strong proofreading/editing skills and project management abilities.

• Resourceful problem solver who uses creativity to address communications challenges

• Excellent written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills

  Collaborative team player who thrives in a fast-paced role

• Curious and proactive, comfortable asking questions and learning on the job

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

GSF2026

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:

10%

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Hybrid

Shift:

Not Indicated

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

n/a

Job Posting End Date:

11/3/2025

*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.