Job Description

Are you looking for an internship assignment where you are free to show initiative? Do you want to know what it's like to be part of one of the largest multinationals in the pharmaceutical industry? We have a position for a bachelor’s (HBO) student with previous internship experience or a master’s (MSc) student with a hands-on mentality, who is looking for a challenging internship in our company!

Welcome to our team

Are you enthusiastic about doing an internship with us? Apply now and become part of our team! The Bio Technology Solutions (BTS) department works with R&D and Manufacturing to develop and scale-up production processes for vaccines. This internship assignment is supported by the Discovery & Technology (D&T) department where Proof-of-Concept research is done for the development of new vaccines and production methods.

About your internship project

As an intern you are responsible for further development and scale-up of a bacterial antigen production process. The antigen is the active component in one of our animal vaccines. The process utilizes a novel cultivation medium. We will investigate if we can optimize the culture phase and medium composition in small-scale bioreactors. You will design your experiments independently; report results and define next steps. Also, you will learn to use various analytical methods to show that the optimization works.

Your tasks and responsibilities

• Write a research proposal which includes a literature study.
• Improve culture medium and test performance in our lab. Scale up your improved medium and learn to apply techniques such as fermentation, filtration, and centrifugation.
• Perform analytical tests to support medium development, e.g. DNA extraction and quantification, cell count using agar plates and metabolite quantification with (automated) enzyme assays.
• Analyze and visualize your data.
• You actively participate in our team, give your opinion on your project and speak-up when you have ideas to improve our work methods.
• You perform general lab (maintenance) tasks together with your team members.

You will get the chance to learn how we develop and commercialize vaccines and what it’s like to work at our company in various functions and departments.

Your profile

• Final year BSc (HBO) or MSc student with a hands-on mentality, specialized in bio(process) technology, Life Science, biology or chemical technology
• You enjoy working in the lab and have experience with microbiology or cell culture
• You have experience with analytical tests and molecular biological tests
• You are looking for an internship assignment where you get the freedom to show initiative
• Excellent English communication skills, both spoken and written
• Knowledge of the Dutch language, both spoken and written is seen as pre
• Available for a period of at least 6 months for 5 days a week

What we offer

Doing an internship at our company means working together in a team on projects in an international working environment. As a student you’ll get the freedom you need to further develop your skills and learn about our industry. What you can expect:

• The opportunity to gain experience within the pharmaceutical industry
• A chance to demonstrate and develop your skills and investigate opportunities at our company during or after your internship
• A challenging and dynamic work environment with plenty of room for personal development
• Internship supervision by experienced specialists
• An internship allowance of € 500,- (gross per month, based on a 40-hour working week)

Animal Health Division

Our animal health division is a trusted global leader in veterinary medicine, dedicated to animal health and welfare. We are a global team of professionals working together to make a positive difference in animal care and the world's food supply and have a deep sense of responsibility towards our customers, consumers, animals, society and our planet. We offer the most innovative products, services and technologies of our sector that serve to prevent, treat and control diseases in all major types of farm animals and companion animals.

NLINTERN

Required Skills:

Accountability, Administrative Support Work, Analytical Problem Solving, Clinical Research, Communication, Data Analytics, Database Management, Data Entry, Data Visualization, Document Management, Health Economics, Microsoft Office, Office Applications, Process Improvements, Project Management, Public Administration, Reporting and Analysis, Technical Support, Technical Training, Workload Prioritization

Preferred Skills:

Current Employees apply HERE

Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

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:

VISA Sponsorship:

Travel Requirements:

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Not Applicable

Shift:

Valid Driving License:

Hazardous Material(s):

Job Posting End Date:

12/16/2025

*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.