Otsuka America Pharmaceutical
Intern the Otsuka Way 2026 - Junior Scientist Intern
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Job Summary :
Otsuka’s internship program, Intern the Otsuka Way (InTOW), offers students a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience and develop critical skills while contributing to meaningful projects. Interns will work alongside experienced professionals, learn about the complexities of the pharmaceutical industry, and gain insights into potential career paths. By combining practical experience with professional development, our program prepares interns for future success. Our internship program also includes instructor led trainings, a leadership engagement series, as well as insightful lunch and learns.
Application Deadline: Candidates are encouraged to apply within 10 business days of the posting date. The position may remain open past this window until a suitable candidate is selected.
Interviews and offers: February through March 2026.
Duration of internship: June 1, 2026, through August 10, 2026.
The Junior Scientist Intern will gain hands-on exposure to the early stages of drug discovery focused on developing novel therapeutics for psychiatric and neurological disorders, including depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, and dementia. By the end of the internship, the Junior Scientist Intern will:
Gain hands-on experience with core drug discovery workflows and processes.
Develop practical skills in experimental design, data interpretation, and scientific communication.
Build a deeper understanding of how novel therapies for psychiatric and neurological disorders progress from early scientific concepts to candidate selection.
Strengthen collaboration skills through engagement with multidisciplinary discovery research teams.
Key Responsibilities:
Review scientific literature and internal datasets to understand biological pathways relevant to CNS indications.
Identify potential molecular targets and chemical starting points for therapeutic development.
Analyze experimental data to evaluate compound potency, selectivity, and potential therapeutic relevance.
Support data visualization and interpretation to inform scientific conclusions and next steps.
Work closely with medicinal chemists, biologists, and computational scientists to interpret findings.
Participate in scientific discussions and contribute to recommendations for follow-up experiments or research directions.
Summarize research findings in written reports and/or presentations for internal stakeholders.
Minimum:
Undergraduate or graduate student graduating in the next 12-24 months, pursuing a degree in Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Neuroscience, or related scientific discipline.
Prior academic or hands-on experience in Chemistry and/or Medicinal Chemistry (theoretical or laboratory-based).
Familiarity with analyzing and working with datasets, including basic data visualization.
Experience using or exposure to Microsoft Excel and/or basic coding tools for data analysis.
Authorization to work in the United States for the duration of the internship.
Can commit to full duration of internship program.
Authorization to work in the United States for the duration of the internship
Additional Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Experience using common scientific databases and research platforms, such as:
SciFinder
Reaxys
PubMed
Patsnap
Google Patents
Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present scientific concepts clearly.
Strong curiosity and motivation to learn about the drug discovery and development process.
Demonstrates behaviors aligned with the Otsuka Corporate Brand including Perseverance, Unconventional Thinking, and Humility.
Demonstrate ability to work in a team environment.
Demonstrate ability to think creatively to solve complex problems.
Exhibits eagerness to learn and ability to learn quickly.
Competencies
Accountability for Results - Stay focused on key strategic objectives, be accountable for high standards of performance, and take an active role in leading change.
Strategic Thinking & Problem Solving - Make decisions considering the long-term impact to customers, patients, employees, and the business.
Patient & Customer Centricity - Maintain an ongoing focus on the needs of our customers and/or key stakeholders.
Impactful Communication - Communicate with logic, clarity, and respect. Influence at all levels to achieve the best results for Otsuka.
Respectful Collaboration - Seek and value others’ perspectives and strive for diverse partnerships to enhance work toward common goals.
Empowered Development - Play an active role in professional development as a business imperative.
Application Deadline: This will be posted for a minimum of 5 business days.
This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by the people assigned to this position. It is not intended to include every job duty and responsibility specific to the position. Otsuka reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities to meet business and organizational needs as necessary.
Otsuka is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will be given consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity or gender expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, national origin, veteran status, marital status, or any other legally protected characteristic.
If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you may request a reasonable accommodation, if you are unable or limited in your ability to apply to this job opening as a result of your disability. You can request reasonable accommodations by contacting Accommodation Request.
Statement Regarding Job Recruiting Fraud Scams
At Otsuka we take security and protection of your personal information very seriously. Please be aware individuals may approach you and falsely present themselves as our employees or representatives. They may use this false pretense to try to gain access to your personal information or acquire money from you by offering fictitious employment opportunities purportedly on our behalf.
Please understand, Otsuka will never ask for financial information of any kind or for payment of money during the job application process. We do not require any financial, credit card or bank account information and/or any payment of any kind to be considered for employment. We will also not offer you money to buy equipment, software, or for any other purpose during the job application process. If you are being asked to pay or offered money for equipment fees or some other application processing fee, even if claimed you will be reimbursed, this is not Otsuka. These claims are fraudulent and you are strongly advised to exercise caution when you receive such an offer of employment.
Otsuka will also never ask you to download a third-party application in order to communicate about a legitimate job opportunity. Scammers may also send offers or claims from a fake email address or from Yahoo, Gmail, Hotmail, etc, and not from an official Otsuka email address. Please take extra caution while examining such an email address, as the scammers may misspell an official Otsuka email address and use a slightly modified version duplicating letters.
To ensure that you are communicating about a legitimate job opportunity at Otsuka, please only deal directly with Otsuka through its official Otsuka Career website https://vhr-otsuka.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/External.
Otsuka will not be held liable or responsible for any claims, losses, damages or expenses resulting from job recruiting scams. If you suspect a position is fraudulent, please contact Otsuka’s call center at: 800-363-5670. If you believe you are the victim of fraud resulting from a job recruiting scam, please contact the FBI through the Internet Crime Complaint Center at: https://www.ic3.gov, or your local authorities.
Otsuka America Pharmaceutical Inc., Otsuka Pharmaceutical Development & Commercialization, Inc., and Otsuka Precision Health, Inc. (“Otsuka”) does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. All CVs/resumes submitted by search firms to any Otsuka employee directly or through Otsuka’s application portal without a valid written search agreement in place for the position will be considered Otsuka’s sole property. No fee will be paid if a candidate is hired by Otsuka as a result of an agency referral where no pre-existing agreement is in place. Where agency agreements are in place, introductions are position specific. Please, no phone calls or emails.
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