Assoc. Scientist, Biocatalysis (Onsite)

Merck; Rahway (NJ); On-site; USD 72,000 - 113,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) retirement

Paid holidays

Vacation

Sick days

Job summary

Merck's Biocatalysis Department in Rahway, NJ, seeks highly motivated scientists to perform hands-on enzymatic process development from high-throughput to preparative scale. You will design experiments to identify enzymatic transformations and improve enzyme variants, collaborating with chemists and engineers while upholding safety and GMP compliance.

The role emphasizes clear communication, teamwork, and a proactive, rigorous approach to laboratory operations within a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• BS or MS in chemistry, biochemistry, chemical engineering, or biochemical engineering by October 2026.
• Experience with laboratory-based biocatalysis research or process development.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Perform hands-on chemical process development using enzymes across scales from high-throughput laboratory scale to preparative scale.
• Design, plan, and execute experiments to identify useful enzymatic transformations and develop enzyme-catalyzed processes.
• Collaborate with chemists and engineers to implement enzymes in chemical reactions.
• Demonstrate safety, quality compliance, and maintain clear notebook records.
• Communicate technical challenges and support laboratory operations.

Skills

Biocatalysis

Lab-scale to preparative scale

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Safety & GMP compliance

Education

BS or MS in Chemistry/Biochemistry/Engineering

Tools

LC-MS

NMR

HPLC

EasyMax tooling

Job description

Position Description

The Biocatalysis department, part of the Small Molecule Process Research and Development organization in Rahway, New Jersey, is seeking highly motivated individuals who are looking for an opportunity to work in a fast-paced environment that provides a high degree of technical responsibility. The mission of the group is to invent, develop, and implement biomolecules and biocatalytic processes to advance our company's pipeline and our impact on the scientific community.

Job Description

The Biocatalysis department, part of the Small Molecule Process Research and Development organization in Rahway, New Jersey, is seeking highly motivated individuals who are looking for an opportunity to work in a fast-paced environment that provides a high degree of technical responsibility. The mission of the group is to invent, develop, and implement biomolecules and biocatalytic processes to advance our company's pipeline and our impact on the scientific community.

The successful candidate will perform hands-on chemical process development using enzymes at scales spanning the range from high-throughput laboratory scale to preparative scale. Under scientific and administrative direction, they will design, plan, and execute experiments to identify useful enzymatic transformations, determine improvements in enzyme variants, and develop enzyme-catalyzed chemical processes. As part of project teams, the scientist will work with chemists and engineers to evaluate and develop novel methods of implementing enzymes in chemical reactions. The scientist will be expected to exhibit a mindset of safety and quality compliance and contribute to laboratory operations.

The successful candidate will be required to communicate regularly, clearly, and with confidence as they discuss technical challenges, support laboratory operations, and interface with colleagues within and beyond our department. High levels of innovation, rigor, and self-initiative along with the ability to plan and organize activities are expected. The successful candidate will join a diverse group of innovative scientists that are driving the next revolution in bioengineering.

Education Requirements

• The position requires a BS or MS in chemistry, biochemistry, chemical engineering, or biochemical engineering from an accredited college or university by October 2026.

Required Experience And Skills

• Experience safely performing laboratory-based research or process development in a biocatalysis-related area.
• Highly effective communication skills in-person, in writing, and via presentation.
• Strong organizational, interpersonal collaboration, and time management skills
• Keen attention to detail and the ability to follow established procedures, policies, and guidelines required to comply with safety, environmental, and GMP expectations in the laboratory and in notebook documentation.

Preferred Experience And Qualifications

• Experience with organic chemical synthesis at the bench including running experiments, analyzing data, and preparing presentations and reports on experimental results and conclusions.
• Familiarity with process scale-up, moving from high-throughput to preparative scale.
• Experience with a variety of analytical techniques, such as liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and process analytical tools such as those associated with Mettler Toledo EasyMax.
• Experience applying statistics to data analysis and to experimental design (i.e., Design of Experiments); experience in process modeling (e.g., kinetics).
• Experience with enzyme characterization techniques.
• Experience with biocatalysis-related technology development.

Required Skills

Analytical Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Analytical Development, Bioactive Compounds, Bioanalytical Analysis, Biochemistry, Bioconjugation, Biomolecular Chemistry, Bioprocess Engineering, Bioreactors, Chemical Synthesis, Chemistry, Chromatography, Data Analysis, Data Management, Design of Experiments (DOE), Dosage Forms, Environmental Measurements, Enzyme Kinetics, Enzymology, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), Interdisciplinary Collaboration, Kinetics, Laboratory Operations {+ 9 more}

US And Puerto Rico Residents Only

Our company is committed to inclusion, ensuring that candidates can engage in a hiring process that exhibits their true capabilities. Please click here if you need an accommodation during the application or hiring process.

Requirements

As an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, we provide equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. As a federal contractor, we comply with all affirmative action requirements for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. For more information about personal rights under the U.S. Equal Opportunity Employment laws, visit:

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We are proud to be a company that embraces the value of bringing together, talented, and committed people with diverse experiences, perspectives, skills and backgrounds. The fastest way to breakthrough innovation is when people with diverse ideas, broad experiences, backgrounds, and skills come together in an inclusive environment. We encourage our colleagues to respectfully challenge one another’s thinking and approach problems collectively.

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Salary

The salary range for this role is

$71,900.00 - $113,200.00

This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. An employee’s position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, geographic location, government requirements, and business or organizational needs.

The successful candidate will be eligible for annual bonus and long-term incentive, if applicable.

We offer a comprehensive package of benefits. Available benefits include medical, dental, vision healthcare and other insurance benefits (for employee and family), retirement benefits, including 401(k), paid holidays, vacation, and compassionate and sick days. More information about benefits is available at https://jobs.merck.com/us/en/compensation-and-benefits.

San Francisco Residents Only

We will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records for employment in compliance with the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance

Los Angeles Residents Only

We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance

Search Firm Representatives

Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, Rahway, NJ, USA, does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. All CVs / resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at our company without a valid written search agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of our company. No fee will be paid in the event a candidate is hired by our company 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.

Employee Status

Regular

Relocation

Not Applicable

VISA Sponsorship

Not Applicable

Travel Requirements

Not Applicable

Flexible Work Arrangements

Not Applicable

Job Posting End Date

09/19/2026

• A job posting is effective until 11:59:59PM on the day BEFORE the listed job posting end date. Please ensure you apply to a job posting no later than the day BEFORE the job posting end date.

Requisition ID

R415255