Senior Scientist, Analytical R&D
Merck
Summary
The Pharmaceutical Analytical Sciences group has an opening for a Senior Scientist based in Rahway, NJ. In this role, you will be part of a team developing innovative analytical methodologies for early to late phase programs with application to drug substance and a broad array of drug product dosage forms, combination products and modalities through analytical characterization, imaging tools, and data analysis. You would also contribute towards regulatory submissions to enable clinical trials.
Job description
Main Responsibilities
- Driving solutions to analytical development challenges for synthetic small molecule, peptide and oligonucleotide active pharmaceutical ingredients and pharmaceutical products using conventional and novel technologies.
- Designing scientific studies to inform the selection and deep understanding of synthetic routes, formulation compositions, and manufacturing processes.
- Implementing analytical methods for laboratory development, as well as release and shelf-life assessment of clinical supplies under good manufacturing practice (GMP) conditions.
- Providing leadership on drug development pipeline projects and innovative technology teams shaping analytical methods and tools of the future.
- Authoring regulatory submission documents across the project development lifecycle, as well as responding to agency questions.
- Documenting work in a detailed and timely manner.
- Collaborating effectively with internal and external partners.
- Presenting results of experiments and innovation efforts to project teams and at various cross-functional forums.
- Engaging in the external scientific community through participation in professional organizations, conferences, and publications.
Education Minimum Requirements
- PhD in Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Science, or related discipline.
- Master's degree in Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or related discipline plus at least 3 years of pharmaceutical industry experience.
- Bachelor's Degree in Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences or related discipline, plus at least 7 years of industry experience.
Required Experience and Skills
- A proven record of strong technical problem solving and innovative research experience, supported by scientific publications.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills.
- Strong leadership, collaboration and interpersonal skills.
Preferred Experience and Skills
- Experience with large molecule characterization (oligonucleotides, enzymes, peptides, etc.).
- Chromatography (e.g. LC, GC) method development, analysis and troubleshooting.
- Other advanced analytical techniques such as mass spectrometry or dissolution.
- Data science.
Requirements
- PhD in Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Science, or related discipline; OR Master's degree in Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or related discipline plus at least 3 years of pharmaceutical industry experience; OR Bachelor's Degree in Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences or related discipline plus at least 7 years of industry experience
- A proven record of strong technical problem solving and innovative research experience, supported by scientific publications
- Excellent written and oral communication skills
- Strong leadership, collaboration and interpersonal skills
Benefits
- Medical Insurance
- Dental Insurance
- Vision Insurance
- Other Insurance Benefits
- 401(k)
- Paid Holidays
- Vacation
- Compassionate Leave
- Sick Leave
- Annual Bonus
- Long-Term Incentive
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.