2027 Future Talent Program - Vivarium Co-op

About the role

The 2027 Future Talent Program offers cooperative (co-op) education lasting up to 6 months, with one or more projects, within Merck's Research and Development division. The Vivarium unit (Laboratory Animals Resources, LAR) advances drug candidates by helping define the non-clinical safety and selectivity of lead compounds, through animal model development, veterinary medical and animal care, research facility management and regulatory support for drug registration. Co-ops work under the guidance of LAR Directors/Senior Directors, Veterinary Technicians and Vivarium Managers.

Key responsibilities

• Take part in Vivarium projects across multiple laboratory animal species at the company's research laboratories
• Assist with clinical cases, monitoring of infectious diseases, coordination of husbandry and support of regulatory compliance, and ongoing qualification of vivarium programs
• Collaborate on ongoing in vivo drug discovery and development projects, including special projects that improve laboratory animal care or use in line with research needs
• Prepare and present several reports on vivarium scientific topics related to training and research projects

Required profile

• Currently enrolled in or pursuing an Associate's degree with a practical/hands-on requirement, or a BS/MS in Animal Science, Animal Veterinary Technology, Biology, Pharmacology or a relevant discipline
• Available for 6 consecutive months in 2027, with start date set by college program requirements
• Preferred: ALAT certification, in-vivo laboratory experience and in-vivo husbandry experience