Associate Scientist, Oral Formulation Sciences (On-site)

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

Job summary

Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, Rahway, NJ, USA, seeks a passionate pharmaceutical scientist to support formulation development of new chemical entities from first-in-human formulations through final market definition and manufacturing robustness.

The role emphasizes applying scientific principles in lab and pilot plant environments, collaboration within matrix teams, and learning advanced software tools to advance drug product design and manufacturing

Qualifications

• Ability to learn and apply new scientific principles to execution of daily responsibilities
• Demonstrated ability to collate and conduct basic data analysis
• Prior experience with Microsoft Office
• Strong verbal and written communication skills

Responsibilities

• Develops and applies basic principles and scientific concepts to execute work in a laboratory or pilot plant environment to advance new solid oral drug products
• Capability to support manufacturing operations in non-GMP and GMP environments
• Executes routine experiments and data interpretation with appropriate technical guidance
• Ability to operate and trouble shoot equipment and processes
• Capable of learning practical laboratory/pilot plant skills and fundamental scientific principles to utilize as part of their daily responsibilities
• Can understand overall project timelines to manage prioritization of individual contributor deliverables with appropriate supervision
• Works well with others in collaborative team environments
• Builds awareness of relevant new and current technologies to grow as a pharmaceutical scientist

Skills

Analytical Thinking

Biochemical Analysis

Biomedical Engineering

Chemical Engineering

Chemistry

Data Analysis

Laboratory Operations

Laboratory Techniques

Pharmaceutical Sciences

Product Development

Product Formulation

Scientific Analysis

Education

B.S. or M.S. degree in Chemical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Pharmaceutical Sciences or related discipline (expected no later than June 2027)

Tools

JMP

Minitab

Matlab

Job description

Our company's Pharmaceutical Sciences organization translates molecules to medicines, working from the discovery interface through registration stability manufacturing by designing, developing and scaling-up the formulation, device, and manufacturing process. Driving drug product design from the bench top to the Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) manufacturing facilities, our Scientists use cutting edge science to transform drug delivery and manufacturing technology to positively impact patients.

The successful candidate will be a passionate Scientist with strong academic fundamentals and a drive to develop new medicines to improve human health. In this role, the individual will be responsible for supporting the formulation development of new chemical entities as part of a matrix team from initial first in human formulations (suspensions, solutions, capsules, tablets) through final market formulation definition and manufacturing process robustness assessment.

Additional responsibilities

• Develops and applies basic principles and scientific concepts to execute work in a laboratory or pilot plant environment to advance new solid oral drug products.
• Capability to support manufacturing operations in non-GMP and GMP environments.
• Executes routine experiments and data interpretation with appropriate technical guidance.
• Ability to operate and trouble shoot equipment and processes.
• Capable of learning practical laboratory/pilot plant skills and fundamental scientific principles to utilize as part of their daily responsibilities.
• Can understand overall project timelines to manage prioritization of individual contributor deliverables with appropriate supervision.
• Works well with others in collaborative team environments.
• Builds awareness of relevant new and current technologies to grow as a pharmaceutical scientist.

Education Requirement

• B.S. or M.S. degree in Chemical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Pharmaceutical Sciences or related discipline (expected no later than June 2027).

Required Experience and Skills

• Ability to learn and apply new scientific principles to execution of daily responsibilities
• Demonstrated ability to collate and conduct basic data analysis
• Prior experience with Microsoft Office
• Strong verbal and written communication skills

Preferred Experience and Skills

• Prior experience in a laboratory environment
• Prior experience with statistical software (JMP, Minitab) and numerical analysis software (Matlab)
• Strong mechanical aptitude
• Passion to learn and develop as a pharmaceutical scientist

We are a research-driven biopharmaceutical company. Our mission is built on the simple premise that if we “follow the science” and that great medicines can make a significant impact to our world. And we believe that a research-driven enterprise dedicated to world‑class science can succeed by inventing medicine and vaccine innovations that make a difference for patients across the globe.

We are driven by our purpose to develop and deliver innovative products that save and improve lives. With 69,000 employees operating in more than 140 countries, we offer state of the art laboratories, plants and offices that are designed to Inspire our employees as we learn, develop and grow in our careers. We are proud of our 125 years of service to humanity and continue to be one of the world’s biggest investors in Research & Development.

Required Skills (additional)

• Analytical Thinking
• Biochemical Analysis
• Biomedical Engineering
• Chemical Engineering
• Chemistry
• Data Analysis
• Laboratory Operations
• Laboratory Research
• Laboratory Techniques
• Pharmaceutical Research
• Pharmaceutical Sciences
• Pharmaceutics
• Product Development
• Product Formulation
• Scientific Analysis

Preferred Skills (additional)

• Analytical Thinking
• Biochemical Analysis
• Biomedical Engineering
• Chemical Engineering
• Chemistry
• Data Analysis
• Laboratory Operations
• Laboratory Research
• Laboratory Techniques
• Pharmaceutical Research
• Pharmaceutical Sciences
• Pharmaceutics
• Product Development
• Product Formulation
• Scientific Analysis

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.

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

Salary & compensation

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.

Benefits

• medical
• dental
• vision healthcare and other insurance benefits (for employee and family)
• retirement benefits, including 401(k)
• paid holidays
• vacation
• compassionate and sick days

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.

Employment Terms

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: 10/3/2026*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.