Biotechnology Internship at Merck, Switzerland | Process Development of ADCs Internship | Apply Now
In the precision-driven landscape of 2026, Antibody-Drug Conjugates (ADCs) have emerged as the “magic bullets” of oncology, and the Biotech Development Center in Corsier-sur-Vevey is where that magic is refined. If you are looking to secure a Biotechnology Internship that places you at the intersection of biological elegance and chemical potency, this 12-month placement in Switzerland is a career-defining move.
- Position: Internship – Process Development of ADCs (m/f/d)
- Job ID: 298622
- Location: Corsier-sur-Vevey, Vaud, Switzerland
About The Company
Founded in 1668, Merck (headquartered in Darmstadt, Germany) is the world’s oldest pharmaceutical and chemical company. In the landscape of 2026, it has become a global science and technology powerhouse operating across three distinct yet synergistic sectors: Healthcare, Life Science, and Electronics. Unlike companies that stick to a single lane, Merck thrives on “working magic” at the intersection of these fields to solve the world’s most complex challenges. While the job description invites you to “Work Your Magic,” the reality behind a Merck career is grounded in world-class science across Healthcare, Life Science, and Electronics. Joining the Global Drug Substance Development department in Switzerland means working within a diverse, 6-continent team dedicated to oncology, neurology, and fertility.
Key Responsibilities For This Biotechnology Internship
ADCs are sophisticated biopharmaceuticals that combine the targeting precision of monoclonal antibodies with the cell-killing power of potent cytotoxic drugs. Your role as an intern is to optimize the manufacturing workflow that brings these two components together safely and efficiently.
- Bench-Scale Conjugation: You will perform both site-specific and stochastic conjugation approaches. A critical metric you will track is the Drug-to-Antibody Ratio (DAR), which determines the therapeutic index of the drug.
- Downstream Purification: You will get hands-on with resin and membrane chromatography to separate the desired ADC from unconjugated payloads.
- Tangential Flow Filtration (TFF): You will optimize TFF workflows for buffer exchange and concentration, ensuring the stability of the final product.
- Tech Transfer: You won’t just generate data; you’ll analyze it to provide recommendations for “scale-up,” helping transition a lab-scale discovery into a manufacturing-ready process.
Candidate Profile: Your Life Sciences Internship Foundation
This Biotechnology Internship is specifically designed for high-level students who can navigate the ambiguity of research with a collaborative spirit. In 2026, Merck continues to lead in “intelligent devices” and “next-generation therapeutics.” For a Master’s or Engineering student, this Life Sciences Internship provides an immersive experience in a culture that champions human progress and scientific curiosity. You won’t just be an intern; you’ll be a contributor to a team that improves and prolongs lives at every stage.
- Educational Track: You must be a Master’s or Engineering student in Biotechnology, Biochemistry, or a related field.
- Technical Readiness: You should have a foundational understanding of protein chemistry and a high degree of motivation to conduct hands-on experiments.
- Soft Skills: Merck values “curious minds.” You need to be adaptable, independent, and a proficient communicator in English. If you have a working knowledge of French, you’ll find navigating the local Vaud region even more rewarding.
- Motivation: You should be eager to benchmark your work against scientific literature and collaborate across functional teams to solve complex biological puzzles.
Location & Lifestyle
The Biotech Development Center is located in the stunning Vaud region of Switzerland, near the shores of Lake Geneva.
- Start Date: August or September 2026.
- Duration: 12 months (Full-time).
- The Swiss Advantage: This is a long-term commitment that allows you to fully integrate into the team and see a project through multiple milestones.
In summary, this Biotechnology Internship at Merck is a definitive step for any student aiming for a top-tier Merck career. You will master the mechanisms of conjugation, explore regulatory requirements, and produce technical reports that have a real-world impact on patient outcomes. If you are a highly motivated scientist-in-training ready to “Spark Discovery,” this 12-month journey in Switzerland is your starting line.
