Merck KGaA

Work Your Magic with us!

Ready to explore, break barriers, and discover more? We know you’ve got big plans – so do we! Our colleagues across the globe love innovating with science and technology to enrich people’s lives with our solutions in Healthcare, Life Science, and Electronics. Together, we dream big and are passionate about caring for our rich mix of people, customers, patients, and planet. That's why we are always looking for curious minds that see themselves imagining the unimaginable with us.

United As One for Patients, our purpose in Healthcare is to help create, improve and prolong lives. We develop medicines, intelligent devices and innovative technologies in therapeutic areas such as Oncology, Neurology and Fertility. Our teams work together across 6 continents with passion and relentless curiosity in order to help patients at every stage of life. Joining our Healthcare team is becoming part of a diverse, inclusive and flexible working culture, presenting great opportunities for personal development and career advancement across the globe.

Start date: September

Duration: 6-12 months

Location : Corsier-sur-Vevey

Role level : Internship

Position Overview:

We are seeking a motivated master student for a 6-month to 1-year internship to join our Drug Substance Process Development team. In the context of monoclonal antibody development, we have different robotic platforms installed in our department for process development: Cell line development, Cell culture, Upstream and Downstream processes.

The intern will assist in the deployment and optimization of processes on robotic platforms to automate cell line development activities, including analytical capabilities. The aim is to deploy small-scale representative processes for mammalian cell culture by automating existing workflows end-to-end, along with the analytical technologies and methodologies required for deployment. This role offers a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in cutting-edge biotechnological processes and contribute to the standardization of robotic workflows in drug substance process development.

Your Role:

• Support the deployment of new processes for cell line and cell culture development on robotic systems (using liquid handler, incubators, readers, etc…)
• Assist in the setup and calibration of methods and devices on the robotic platforms (optical density reader, fluorescence polarization…). Develop methods to analyze protein quality and titer from cell culture samples.
• Automating cell cultures workflows, including analytical methods, conduct trials, and analyze data results.
• Participate in troubleshooting and problem-solving activities related to robotic platforms and process development.
• Contribute to the documentation of standard operating procedures (SOPs) and best practices for robotic workflows.

Your profil:

• Currently enrolled in a Master’s program in Biotechnology, Biochemistry, Chemistry, or a related field like Automation & Robotics
• Strong interest in biotechnological processes and robotic automation.
• Basic understanding of drug substance process development and characterization (cell line, upstream & downstream for antibody production).
• Hands-on experience with laboratory equipment and experimental techniques (cell cultures, sample preparation, …).
• Proficiency in data analysis and interpretation. Excellent problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
• Strong communication and teamwork abilities.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple tasks effectively.
• Preferred Qualifications:
• Previous experience with robotic platforms or automation in a laboratory setting (liquid handling system, high throughput analytics …).
• Familiarity with programming languages used in automation (e.g., Python) is a plus.
• What We Offer:
• Hands-on experience with state-of-the-art robotic platforms and biotechnological processes.
• Mentorship and guidance from experienced professionals in the field.
• Opportunity to contribute to innovative projects and make a meaningful impact.
• Collaborative and inclusive work environment.

What we offer: We are curious minds that come from a broad range of backgrounds, perspectives, and life experiences. We believe that this variety drives excellence and innovation, strengthening our ability to lead in science and technology. We are committed to creating access and opportunities for all to develop and grow at your own pace. Join us in building a culture of inclusion and belonging that impacts millions and empowers everyone to work their magic and champion human progress!

Apply now and become a part of a team that is dedicated to Sparking Discovery and Elevating Humanity!