Associate Principal Scientist, Mixed Modality Product Development

MSD; Rahway (NJ); On-site; USD 142,000 - 224,000; Full time

Job summary

MSD in Rahway, NJ seeks an Associate Principal Scientist (R4) to lead biologics sterile product development across small molecules, peptides, proteins, ADCs, and biologics. You will drive experimental design, data analysis, and collaboration with multidisciplinary teams to ensure robust formulations and scalable processes.

The role requires a Ph.D. or equivalent with 4–5 years of industry experience (or an MS/BS with extensive experience).

Qualifications

• Ph.D. or masters with extensive industry experience in biologics development is required.
• Proven track record in leading formulation and process development for biologics.
• Strong understanding of drug delivery and manufacturing processes for sterile products.
• Experience with regulatory filings and publications or patents is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead/ contribute towards innovative approaches for biologics sterile product development with experimental designs and data analysis.
• Support early and late-stage candidates including robust formulation and scalable process development.
• Build deep knowledge of the drug product to meet milestones and regulatory documentation.
• Provide strategic and technical leadership within program development teams and collaborate cross-functionally.
• Lead organizational strategic objectives and drive innovation.
• Mentor scientists and coordinate tech transfers with external manufacturing sites.
• Advance science through patents, presentations and publications.

Skills

Biologics

Cell Line Development

Design of Experiments

Downstream Process Development

Drug Delivery

Drug Product Development

Expression Vectors

Molecular Biology

Particle Engineering

Pharmaceutical Formulations

Pharmaceutical Process Development

Product Formulation

Technology Transfer

Toxicology

Education

Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Pharmaceutical Sciences or related discipline with a minimum of 4-5 years relevant industry experience.

B.S. or M.S. in Engineering, Pharmaceutical Sciences or related discipline with minimum of 8 years relevant industrial experience.

Job description

Job Description

The Mixed Modalities team within Sterile Product Development is responsible for developing parenteral dosage forms (injections, implants, inhaled, ocular) for small, intermediate, and large molecules from preclinical toxicology studies to commercialization. Our development teams ensure robust composition, primary packaging/device, and process selection through deep fundamental understanding and characterization such that the process is scalable without compromising stability, safety, efficacy, and delivery. During development, we leverage smart experimental design, cutting edge analytical tools, and predictive approaches to inform molecule, formulation, and process selection. In summary, our team enables the translation of preclinical candidates into non-oral drug products. We are seeking a highly motivated candidate for the position of Associate Principal Scientist (R4) focused on developing parenteral drug products across a range of modalities (small molecule, peptides, proteins, antibody-drug conjugates, and biologics). The successful candidate must be able to collaborate in a fast-paced, integrated, multidisciplinary team environment.

Primary duties

• Lead/ contribute towards the new, innovative approaches for biologics sterile product development through the generation of experimental designs, execution of experimental plans and data analysis
• Support both early and late-stage development candidates, including screening and development of robust drug product composition, scalable process, primary packaging, compatibility characterization for processing and administration, and supporting regulatory filings.
• Build deep fundamental knowledge around the drug product to ensure completion of key milestones and laboratory / regulatory documentation.
• Active strategic and technical leadership on program development teams, interfacing with key stakeholders, and collaborating across functions to drive defined milestones will be required.
• Responsible for leading and championing organizational strategic and innovation objectives aligned with organizational goals.
• Be willing to take initiative, motivated to excel, have a strong technical background, have excellent communication and interpersonal skills, ability to multi-task, mentor scientists, and a strong desire to learn and contribute.
• Leads project activities at external manufacturing sites including tech transfers
• Enhance our Company's professional image and competitive advantage through patents, presentations, publications and professional activities and advance areas such as science and technology development, technical and business strategic improvements, business process innovations
• Maintain awareness of relevant new and current technologies, capabilities, and effectively share this knowledge with others

Education Minimum Requirement

Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Pharmaceutical Sciences or related discipline with a minimum of 4-5 years relevant industry experience. OR B.S. or M.S. degree in Engineering, Pharmaceutical Sciences or related discipline with minimum of 8 years relevant industrial experience.

Required Experience and Skills

• Experienced in biologics process development and characterization particularly for late-stage programs
• Capable of leading formulation development activities in matrix team environments to define a robust formulation and manufacturing process
• Recognized as a technical expert and scientific contributor with proven ability to identify and develop innovative ideas
• Has broad knowledge of formulation science and in depth-knowledge in multiple areas, including core understanding of the drug development process
• Track record of working effectively with team-members of diverse skill sets and backgrounds
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• The candidate should have a strong track record in product development/ regulatory filing/ drug delivery/ complex formulation and process development/ characterization reflected through industry experience and external publications/ patent.

Preferred Experience and Skills

• Deep understanding of one or more of the following: surface science, colloid science, particle engineering, ADC and/or high concentration formulations
• Prior experience leading development projects at an enterprise level
• Capable of mentoring individuals in a peer-to-peer fashion and as a technical mentor
• Recognized as a subject matter expert in at least one drug delivery and/or manufacturing technology
• Demonstrated ability to identify, fundamentally characterize and address manufacturing challenges through the development and optimization of novel production technologies.
• Desire to build new capabilities through the evaluation of new technologies and hands‑on optimization of existing technologies.
• Prior experience with process scale up, modeling, regulatory filings and/or driving key capability evaluation/ build would be highly preferred.

Required Skills

• Biologics
• Cell Line Development
• Design of Experiments (DOE)
• Downstream Process Development
• Drug Delivery
• Drug Product Development
• Expression Vectors
• Molecular Biology
• Particle Engineering
• Pharmaceutical Formulations
• Pharmaceutical Process Development
• Product Formulation
• Technology Transfer
• Toxicology

Preferred Skills

Our company is committed to inclusion, ensuring that candidates can engage in a hiring process that exhibits their true capabilities. 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: EEOC Know Your Rights EEOC GINA Supplement 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. Learn more about your rights, including under California, Colorado and other US State Acts

Where required by law, the compensation range for this role is provided below. The salary range for the primary location of this role is: $142,400.00 - $224,100.00 This range reflects the Company's reasonable expectation of the base salary applicable to this role at the time of 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.

Additional location(s) Compensation Information: 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

Employee Status: Regular Relocation: Domestic VISA Sponsorship: Yes Travel Requirements: 10% Flexible Work Arrangements: Not Applicable Shift: Not Indicated Valid Driving License: No Hazardous Material(s): n/a

Job Posting End Date: 11/28/2026 *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.

Our company is a global health care leader with a diversified portfolio of prescription medicines, vaccines and animal health products. The difference between potential and achievement lies in the spark that fuels innovation and inventiveness; this is the space where we have codified our legacy for over a century. Our success is backed by ethical integrity, forward momentum, and an inspiring mission to achieve new milestones in global healthcare.