Associate Scientist, Postdoctoral Fellow – Device Development & Technology

MSD Malaysia; Rahway (NJ); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work arrangements

Job summary

Merck & Co., Inc. in Rahway, NJ seeks a Postdoctoral Research Scientist to advance device development and technology within the PSDD organization. You will conduct research on drug/device combination products, spanning formulation, materials characterization, and analytical testing.

The role emphasizes independent, cross-disciplinary collaboration, rigorous modeling, and exploring innovative prefilled syringe-based delivery technologies in a fast-paced, safety-conscious environment.

Qualifications

• PhD or equivalent required in mechanical, materials, biomedical, chemistry, pharmaceutical sciences or related fields.
• Strong knowledge of formulation development and biologics characterization.
• Peer-reviewed publications in biomedical or healthcare technology development with rigorous modeling.

Responsibilities

• Formulate and develop device or combination product strategies.
• Conduct analytical and biophysical characterization.
• Design and test mechanical aspects of devices and interfaces.
• Investigate formulation-device interfaces and subvisible particles.
• Collaborate across multidisciplinary teams in a fast-paced environment.

Skills

Academic Research

Analytical Chemistry

Biomedical Sciences

Biophysical Techniques

Chemistry

Device Design

Drug Delivery

Drug Formulations

Formulation Chemistry

Particle Size Analysis

Scientific Writing

Education

PhD or PhD within 3 months in mechanical, material, biomedical, chemistry, pharmaceutical or equivalent fields

Job description

Job Description Postdoctoral Research Scientist – Device Development & Technology

Join the Legacy: Research and Development Division's Postdoctoral Research Fellow Program The company's Research Laboratories Postdoctoral Research Fellow Program is a premier industrial postdoctoral initiative that combines academic rigor with the resources and expertise of a leading pharmaceutical company. The program enables postdoctoral researchers to advance breakthrough research and discovery in a collaborative, innovation-driven environment.

Position Overview

The Pharmaceutical Sciences & Device Development (PSDD) organization at our company's Research Laboratories translates novel therapeutic agents into patient-centered drug products. Within PSDD, the Device Development & Technology team is seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Fellow to conduct research in drug/device combination product development. This position is available immediately.

Responsibilities

• We are especially interested in candidates with experience in formulation and device or combination product development.
• Preferred areas of expertise include: Analytical and biophysical characterization
• Mechanical design and testing
• Formulation-device interface science
• Sub visible particle analysis
• We seek a highly motivated, independent, and responsible postdoctoral researcher who is creative, organized, and able to think critically.
• The ideal candidate will excel in a challenging, fast-paced, and intellectually engaging environment.
• Because this work is highly interdisciplinary, we welcome applicants from a broad range of engineering and scientific fields, including mechanical engineering, materials science, biomedical engineering, chemical and biomolecular engineering, and applied physics.

Education Minimum Requirement

Candidates must hold a PhD or completed within 3 months of hire in mechanical, material, biomedical, chemistry, pharmaceutical or equivalent fields.

Required Experience and Skills

Strong knowledge of formulation development and biologics characterization Hands‑on experience with or knowledge of biologics, vaccines, and related formulation development Interest in developing innovative prefilled syringe‑based drug delivery technologies Capacity to apply scientific and engineering expertise creatively and independently to solve problems Experience conducting literature searches and reviewing publications and manuscripts Excellent verbal, written, and presentation skills, with demonstrated ability to collaborate across multidisciplinary teams Demonstrated record of peer‑reviewed publications in biomedical or healthcare technology development, supported by rigorous modeling and analysis

Preferred Experience and Skills

Ability to conduct mechanical testing and perform statistical analysis of feasibility study data postdoctoralopportunities PDA Required Skills: Academic Research, Analytical Chemistry, Biomedical Sciences, Biophysical Techniques, Chemistry, Device Design, Drug Delivery, Drug Formulations, Formulation Chemistry, Particle Size Analysis, Scientific Writing

Search Firm Representatives Please Read Carefully

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 Details

• Employee Status: Regular
• Relocation: Domestic
• VISA Sponsorship: Yes
• Travel Requirements: 10%
• Flexible Work Arrangements: Hybrid
• Shift: Not Indicated
• Valid Driving License: No
• Hazardous Material(s): n/a
• Job Posting End Date: 09/28/2026* 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.

Equal Employment Opportunity

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.

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.

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.