Postdoctoral Research Fellow- Biologics Formulation and Drug Delivery
Merck
Summary
Our company's Research Laboratories Division’s Pharmaceutical Sciences and Device Development (PSDD) organization is responsible for translating therapeutic agents into functional drug products optimized for patients. The Discovery Pharmaceutical Sciences (DPS) Department within PSDD is seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Research Fellow to join our biologics formulation and drug delivery research project in Rahway, New Jersey.
Job description
This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to innovative drug delivery technologies for high- and ultra-high-concentration biologics which enable subcutaneous administration for patent-centric drug product design. The successful candidate will support research focused on formulation science, crystal engineering, suspension systems, physicochemical characterization, and combination drug product design. This role offers the opportunity to work in a highly collaborative environment and to develop research capabilities that advance next-generation biologics delivery.
Responsibilities
- Plan and execute independent research in biologics formulation and drug delivery.
- Develop and optimize experimental strategies to evaluate formulation behavior, stability, and performance of complex biologics.
- Design and interpret studies related to protein crystallization, suspension properties, and physicochemical characterization.
- Apply experimental, analytical, and modeling approaches to understand relationships among formulation composition, material attributes, and delivery performance.
- Explore advanced data analysis and predictive methods, including statistical modeling, machine learning, and other computational tools, as appropriate.
- Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams across discovery, formulation, device, process and analytical functions.
- Publish findings in peer-reviewed journals and present research at scientific meetings.
Education
- Must currently hold a Ph.D. or receive a Ph.D. no later than Spring 2027
- Ph.D. in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biophysics, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or a related discipline
Required Experience And Skills
- Expertise in protein science, sample handling, and analytical characterization
- Strong record of scientific achievement, including peer-reviewed publications and/or conference presentations
- Ability to design, execute, analyze, and communicate independent research in a collaborative environment
- Strong problem-solving skills and ability to work across multidisciplinary teams
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Preferred Experience And Skills
- Experience in biologics formulation design, especially parenteral and suspension systems
- Experience with protein crystallization and process design
- Experience with microscopy and imaging techniques
- Familiarity with syringeability, injectability, viscosity characterization, and subcutaneous delivery concepts
- Knowledge of molecular modeling, machine learning, or generative AI
- Experience with data analysis tools for experimental and computational research
Requirements
- Must currently hold a Ph.D. or receive a Ph.D. no later than Spring 2027
- Ph.D. in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biophysics, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or a related discipline
- Expertise in protein science, sample handling, and analytical characterization
- Strong record of scientific achievement, including peer-reviewed publications and/or conference presentations
- Ability to design, execute, analyze, and communicate independent research in a collaborative environment
- Strong problem-solving skills and ability to work across multidisciplinary teams
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Benefits
- Annual Bonus
- Long-Term Incentive
- Medical Insurance
- Dental Insurance
- Vision Insurance
- Other Insurance Benefits
- 401(k)
- Paid Holidays
- Vacation
- Compassionate Leave
- Sick Leave
Company overview
Merck & Co., Inc., known as Merck in the United States and Canada and MSD (Merck Sharp & Dohme) internationally, is a premier American multinational pharmaceutical company headquartered in Rahway, New Jersey. Founded in 1891 as the U.S. subsidiary of the German Merck Group, the company became independent following World War I and has since grown into one of the world's largest biomedical companies, ranking fourth globally by revenue. Merck operates across three core business segments: pharmaceuticals, vaccines, and animal health products. The company is renowned for its groundbreaking research and development, having brought numerous life-saving medicines to market including Keytruda (pembrolizumab), a leading immunotherapy for cancer treatment that generated $29.5 billion in 2024 revenue, and Gardasil, a revolutionary HPV vaccine. With approximately 75,000 employees worldwide, Merck maintains a robust pipeline of innovative therapies focused on oncology, vaccines, hospital acute care, cardiology, neuroscience, virology, immunology, and diabetes. The company invests heavily in R&D, spending $17.9 billion in 2024 alone, demonstrating its commitment to advancing scientific discovery. Merck's legacy spans over 130 years of bringing hope to humanity through important medicines and vaccines, operating with a purpose to use leading-edge science to save and improve lives globally while fostering an inclusive workforce and responsible business practices.