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Medicinal Chemistry Internship Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Ensure effective collaboration with the Biology, and Medicinal Chemistry teams by providing key ... Relevant industry experience via internship and co-op * Publication records in computational ...

Ensure effective collaboration with the Biology, and Medicinal Chemistry teams by providing key ... Relevant industry experience via internship and co-op * Publication records in computational ...

Ensure effective collaboration with the Biology, and Medicinal Chemistry teams by providing key ... Relevant industry experience via internship and co-op * Publication records in computational ...

Medicinal Chemistry Internship information

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$11

$19

$34

How much do medicinal chemistry internship jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 26, 2026, the average hourly pay for medicinal chemistry internship in the United States is $19.34, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.38 and $21.63 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a medicinal chemistry internship?

A Medicinal Chemistry Internship is a temporary position, often for students or recent graduates, that provides hands-on experience in the field of medicinal chemistry. Interns work alongside professional chemists to design, synthesize, and analyze compounds that could become new pharmaceuticals. These internships are typically offered by pharmaceutical companies, research institutions, or universities and are an opportunity to gain practical laboratory skills, learn about drug discovery processes, and explore career paths in the pharmaceutical industry. They may also involve participating in team meetings, conducting literature reviews, and presenting findings to colleagues.

What kinds of projects and responsibilities can I expect during a medicinal chemistry internship?

As a Medicinal Chemistry Intern, you will typically assist in the design, synthesis, and characterization of novel compounds aimed at achieving specific biological activity. Tasks may include performing laboratory experiments, analyzing data, and documenting research findings under the guidance of experienced chemists. Interns often collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, such as biologists and pharmacologists, to advance drug discovery projects. This hands-on experience helps develop both technical laboratory skills and a deeper understanding of the drug development pipeline.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a medicinal chemistry intern, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Medicinal Chemistry Intern, you generally need a solid background in organic and analytical chemistry, supported by coursework or a degree in chemistry or a related field. Familiarity with laboratory techniques, chemical synthesis equipment, and software like ChemDraw or spectroscopy analysis tools is typically required. Strong attention to detail, problem-solving skills, and effective teamwork make candidates stand out in collaborative research environments. These skills and qualities are essential for ensuring safe, accurate experimental work and meaningful contributions to drug discovery projects.

What is the difference between Medicinal Chemistry Internship vs Medicinal Chemistry Research Assistant?

AspectMedicinal Chemistry InternshipMedicinal Chemistry Research Assistant
Required CredentialsUndergraduate or graduate student, relevant courseworkBachelor's or master's degree in chemistry or related field
Work EnvironmentLaboratory, pharmaceutical or biotech company, research institutionsLaboratory, academic or industry research settings
Employer & Industry UsageInternship programs in pharma and biotech companiesResearch labs in academia or industry
Common Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding internship opportunities in medicinal chemistryExploring research assistant roles in medicinal chemistry

Medicinal Chemistry Internships are typically short-term programs aimed at students gaining industry experience, while Medicinal Chemistry Research Assistant roles involve more hands-on research work, often requiring a degree. Both roles are found in pharmaceutical and biotech sectors, but internships focus on learning, whereas research assistant positions emphasize active research contributions.

What jobs can you get with medicinal chemistry internship?

A medicinal chemistry internship can lead to roles such as medicinal chemist, research scientist, or pharmaceutical analyst. These positions typically involve drug design, synthesis, and analysis, often requiring knowledge of laboratory techniques and chemical software tools.

Which medicinal chemistry internship is best for chemistry students?

The best medicinal chemistry internship for chemistry students typically offers hands-on experience in drug design, synthesis, and analysis, often within pharmaceutical or biotech companies. Look for programs that provide mentorship, exposure to laboratory techniques, and opportunities to work with medicinal chemists to develop relevant skills and industry knowledge.
More about Medicinal Chemistry Internship jobs

What cities are hiring for Medicinal Chemistry Internship jobs?

Cities with the most Medicinal Chemistry Internship job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Medicinal Chemistry jobs?

The most popular types of Medicinal Chemistry jobs are:

What states have the most Medicinal Chemistry Internship jobs?

States with the most job openings for Medicinal Chemistry Internship jobs include:

Infographic showing various Medicinal Chemistry Internship job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 29% Internship, 43% Full Time, 14% Part Time, and 14% Contract. Highlights an 86% In-person, and 14% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $40,232 per year, or $19.3 per hour.

2027 Spring - Co-op Medicinal Chemistry, Cambridge, MA

Sanofi Group

Cambridge, MA • On-site

$29 - $35/hr

Other

Posted 4 days ago


Job description

Cambridge, MA

Full time

R2851886

Job Title: 2027 Spring - Co-op IDD Medicinal Chemistry

  • Grade: Co-op

  • Location: Cambridge, MA

  • Duration: 6 months

About the Job

Looking to launch your career at the cutting edge of healthcare? Join Sanofi for a chance to develop with mentoring and guidance from inspirational leaders while helping to make an impact on the lives of countless people worldwide.

We are seeking an undergraduate chemistry major to execute synthetic routes for target compounds/drug candidates for approximately 6 months; the successful candidate will further develop synthetic organic chemistry skills in the lab, develop analytical and instrument techniques, learn medicinal chemistry, and gain further understanding of the drug discovery process by participating in an industrial medicinal chemistry department.

Ready to grow your skills while helping shape the future of healthcare? At Sanofi, you’ll be empowered to learn, ask questions, and bring your ideas to life – all while supported by inspiring mentors and collaborative teams.

About Sanofi

We’re an R&D-driven, AI-powered biopharma company committed to improving people’s lives and delivering compelling growth. Our deep understanding of the immune system – and innovative pipeline – enables us to invent medicines and vaccines that treat and protect millions of people around the world. Together, we chase the miracles of science to improve people’s lives.

Main Responsibilities :

  • Use reaction and reagent databases and synthesize small molecule targets for drug discovery programs.

  • Apply suitable purification and characterization techniques to purify and characterize target compounds and intermediates to meet project timelines.

  • Develop/apply analytical techniques for structural characterization and interpretation (NMR and LCMS).

  • Learn to register compounds in corporate database

  • Maintain electronic laboratory notebooks according to SOP, provide detailed experimental procedures of laboratory work.

  • Utilize internal databases and tools to understand SAR around project data

  • Collaborate with other team members to design/synthesize target compounds which address project challenges.

  • Continue to learn from literature, meetings and personnel to solve chemistry and medicinal chemistry challenges.

  • Communicate and interact with other staff/team members in a professional and courteous manner.

  • Operate in the lab in a safe and efficient manner according to HSE guidelines and adhere to all mandatory company compliance requirements.

About You

Basic Qualifications:

  • Currently pursuing a bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Chemical Engineering, Pharmaceutical Sciences or a related field, with plans to graduate in 2027 or 2028

  • Must be permanently authorized to work in the U.S. and not require sponsorship of an employment visa (e.g., H-1B or green card) at the time of application or in the future. Students currently on CPT, OPT, or STEM OPT usually require future sponsorship for long term employment and do not meet the Internal requirements for this program unless eligible for an alternative long-term status that does not require company sponsorship.

  • Must be enrolled in an accredited college or university throughout the duration of the co-op/internship.

  • Must be able to relocate to the office location and work 40hrs/week, Monday to Friday for the full duration of the co-op/internship.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Experience with execution of synthetic organic chemistry, and purification techniques such as silica gel chromatography

  • Experience in the use of various analytical instruments (e.g., NMR, LCMS) to interpret analytical data and fully characterize novel target compounds.

Why Choose Us

  • Bring the miracles of science to life alongside a supportive, future focused team.​

  • Stretch your skills through apprenticeships, internships, graduate programs, and international experiences that grow with you.​

  • Learn from inspiring mentors and collaborative teams while contributing to real projects that shape the future of healthcare.​

  • Build your future with access to the latest tools, digital innovation, and continuous learning that keep you ahead of the curve.​

Compensation

The salary range for this position is $29-$35 hourly. All compensation will be determined commensurate with demonstrated experience.

#LI-Onsite

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Pursue progress , discover extraordinary

Better is out there. Better medications, better outcomes, better science. But progress doesn’t happen without people – people from different backgrounds, in different locations, doing different roles, all united by one thing: a desire to make miracles happen. So, let’s be those people.

At Sanofi, we provide equal opportunities to all regardless of race, colour, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, ability or gender identity.

Watch our ALL IN video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SkpDBZ-CJKw&t=67s) and check out our Diversity Equity and Inclusion actions at sanofi.com (https://www.sanofi.com/en/our-responsibility/equality-and-inclusiveness) !

US and Puerto Rico Residents Only

Sanofi Inc. and its U.S. affiliates are Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action employers committed to a culturally inclusive and diverse workforce. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race; color; creed; religion; national origin; age; ancestry; nationality; natural or protective hairstyles; marital, domestic partnership or civil union status; sex, gender, gender identity or expression; affectional or sexual orientation; disability; veteran or military status or liability for military status; domestic violence victim status; atypical cellular or blood trait; genetic information (including the refusal to submit to genetic testing) or any other characteristic protected by law.

We are an R&D driven, AI-powered biopharma company committed to improving people’s lives and creating compelling growth. Our team is guided by one purpose: we chase the miracles of science to improve people’s lives.

We want to build a healthier, more resilient world, and turn the impossible into the possible by discovering, developing, and delivering medicines and vaccines for millions of people around the world.

Discover more about us visiting www.sanofi.com or via our movie We are Sanofi (https://youtu.be/96EwNjb1TLo)

Start a career that makes a difference.

Reinvention is in our DNA. It’s what drove our evolution from a small French enterprise to one of the world’s leading biopharma companies. Whether it’s using AI to shorten drug-discovery times or building trust in healthcare, you could be helping our teams make life better for patients, partners, and communities.

This is where you grow your career. We open the door for you to explore new opportunities, push your limits, and connect with people who are driven by a shared purpose: we chase the miracles of science to improve people’s lives.