Merck Innovation Summer School: Live Your Innovation Dream!

Up to twelve brilliant international students, one unique opportunity: the chance to attend the 3-month Merck Innovation Summer School at our Innovation Center this June.

We are looking for up to 12 PhD and experienced Masters students from any discipline, studying at one of the world’s top universities. Do you enjoy working on novel ideas with the potential to generate transformational change? Then, this is a great opportunity for you!   

The Merck Innovation Center situated at Merck´s Headquarters in Darmstadt, the city of science, aims to develop entirely new businesses and technologies beyond our current scope. It is Merck’s core to bring the brightest people, most promising ideas and cutting-edge facilities together from different disciplines.

What is the Merck Innovation Summer School?  

It is a paid 3-month intrapreneurship program (June-August 2019) that allows you to learn about intrapreneurship, meaning innovation in a corporate environment, and grow a seed idea into a “pitchable” innovation concept. The program is designed for PhD students and experienced Masters students and is fully integrated into the Merck Innovation Center. We are looking for outstandingly talented individuals to absorb everything they can about innovation from Merck experts, and ideate around key Innovation Fields at Merck.  

The program is designed to develop exceptional talent from around the world through intensive innovation trainings, involvement in innovation practice, and hands-on project experience at a state-of-the art Innovation Center. Ultimately, the goal of the program is to develop new Merck innovation projects that lead to new Merck businesses. Our Innovation Summer School intrapreneurs will have the opportunity to pitch their ideas at the end of the 3-month program, which could become real innovation projects. 

How does  the Merck Summer School work?  

Starting on 3 June 2019, participants will join an interdisciplinary team of up to 6 PhD and Masters students covering all science disciplines. 
Each team will work on developing an innovation project within one of our three Innovation Fields from scratch and pitching an innovation concept that is relevant and meaningful for Merck’s innovation strategy. 
Each team will be required to network across the company to involve the most suitable Merck experts from around the world to support and join their team

What are the benefits for you? 

At the Merck Summer School, you will:  

Gain a deep understanding of how a leading global science and technology company like Merck drives innovation and change from its futuristic Innovation Center at the company’s headquarters. 
Discover how a global player like Merck enables innovation within corporate structures in a flexible, agile and modern future work environment 
Get paid for learning as an intrapreneur, understanding the challenges and chances of corporate innovation. 
Benefit from the support of two student organizations: the German National Board of Young Chemists Association (JungChemikerForum) of the German Chemical Society (GDCh), and the Young Business Chemists (Junge WirtschaftschemikerInnen). 
Receive accommodation support in Darmstadt 
Experience a truly intercultural and interdisciplinary learning environment with a unique mix of young and experienced talents from around the world 
Attend cultural and fun activities, for example the Merck Philharmonic Orchestra’s “Last Night of the Proms” garden concert 
Receive an Innovation Center certification as proof of expertise 
Get to know the Rhein-Main region in the center of Germany from Darmstadt, the City of Science 
Get support for Visa applications as required 

We have a rolling admissions process, meaning the earlier you apply, the higher your chances of being accepted! The application deadline has been extended to the 25th of March 2019!

Register now

Any questions?

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