MSD Co-op 2027 in Vaccines Process R&D, USA | Biotech Students | Apply Now

How are vaccines made at scale, from a flask in the lab to a GMP pilot plant? The MSD Co-op 2027 in Vaccines Process R&D (Upstream) at West Point, Pennsylvania, USA, lets students find out first-hand. This 4–6 month Future Talent Program co-op is open to students enrolled in at least a BS/BA programme in a life-science or engineering discipline.

  • Position: Co-op, Vaccines Process R&D (Upstream) – 2027 Future Talent Program
  • Location: West Point, Pennsylvania, USA
  • Research Area: Vaccine Cell Culture and Upstream Process Development

About The Company

Merck & Co., Inc., known as MSD outside the US and Canada, is a global pharmaceutical company headquartered in Rahway, New Jersey. Its Research Division discovers and develops medicines and vaccines. The company describes its research scientists as inventors who target steps in disease pathways to find the next medical breakthrough.

MSD Co-op 2027 Job Description

The MSD Co-op 2027 sits in the Vaccines and Advanced Biotechnologies Process R&D division. Under a project mentor, the co-op student will run lab-scale process development and scale-up studies. The goal is to build robust, efficient and scalable cell culture processes for vaccine production. The student may also join pilot-scale campaigns for the GMP manufacture of bulk clinical material. As a result, tasks could cover the preparation, execution and closeout of a GMP campaign. The co-op lasts 4–6 months and includes one or more projects.

MSD Co-op 2027 – Key Responsibilities

  • Perform lab-scale process development and scale-up studies under a project mentor.
  • Develop robust, efficient and scalable cell culture processes for vaccine production.
  • Run lab-scale fermentation or cell culture and support in-process assays.
  • Support process scale-up and engineering work.
  • Maintain and coordinate raw material and equipment inventories for development experiments.
  • Help prepare, execute and close out pilot-scale GMP campaigns.

Educational Requirements and Eligibility For MSD Co-op 2027

  • Qualification: Currently enrolled in at least a BS/BA in Chemical, Biomedical or Biological Engineering, Bioengineering, Biological Sciences, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Molecular Biology, Microbiology or a closely related field.
  • Availability: Full-time for 4–6 months in 2027 (June–November or March–August).
  • Requisition ID: R413130

Skills and Qualifications

  • Ability to work independently and in a team, with self-motivation and a positive attitude.
  • Ability to learn new techniques, multitask, keep accurate records and follow instructions.
  • Proven hands-on experience in a laboratory setting.
  • Strong organisation, interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills.
  • Preferred: experience with cell culture or fermentation, upstream process development, or expression systems for vaccines or biologics.
  • Preferred: hands-on immunofluorescence, flow cytometry or virometry experience.

Salary and Benefits

MSD lists a salary range of USD 39,908–111,111 for this role. The final pay depends on the candidate and the role details given by the company. Interested in a Co-op that puts you inside vaccine process development? The MSD Co-op 2027 combines cell culture, scale-up and GMP campaign work. However, the company may close the position before the posted end date, so eligible students should apply early.

APPLY ONLINE HERE