Formulation Scientist

AllSTEM Connections; Rahway (NJ); On-site; USD 105,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Merck Rahway, NJ is seeking a Formulation Scientist II to provide hands-on formulation and process development support for sterile pharmaceutical products. The role focuses on design, testing, and documentation of formulations with collaboration across scientific and operations teams.

The successful candidate will hold a B.S./M.S. (PhD optional) in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemical Engineering, Biochemistry, or Chemistry, and bring 2–3 years (MS) or 0–1 year (PhD) of related experience; strong

Qualifications

• Excellent hands-on laboratory skills in pharmaceutical formulation, sterile product development, process development, or related field.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Self-driven, independent, meticulous, organized, with timeline focus.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute formulation and process-development experiments for sterile products.
• Prepare buffers and reagents; execute development batches with aseptic techniques.
• Support processing for solution or lyophilized formulations and other dosage forms.
• Conduct formulation characterization and analytical studies (pH, osmolality, viscosity, particle size, HPLC).
• Maintain accurate lab records and draft protocols; ensure safety and compliance.

Skills

Laboratory skills

Written and verbal communication

Independent

Team collaboration

Cross-functional interface

Education

B.S./M.S./Equivalent (PhD optional)

Chem/Biochem/Pharmaceutical Sciences or related

Tools

JMP

Job description

Minimum Education Requirements for Formulation Scientist - II

• B.S. or M.S. degree, or PHD in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemical Engineering, Biochemistry, Chemistry, or a related field is required.

Experience:

• Bachelor’s with 5+ years, Master’s with 3+ years, or PhD with 0–1 year of exeprience.

Minimum Education Requirements for Formulation Scientist - II

• B.S. or M.S. degree, or equivalent, in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemical Engineering, Biochemistry, Chemistry, or a related field is required.

Experience:

• Bachelor’s with 2–3 years or master’s with 1–2 years of experience.

Required Skills and Experience

• Excellent hands‑on laboratory skills in pharmaceutical formulation, sterile product development, process development, or a related field.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Self-driven, independent, meticulous in execution, organized, attentive to timelines, and motivated to learn.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team and interface with cross‑functional scientific professionals.

Desired Skills and Experience

• Experience with biologics and sterile formulation.
• Pharmaceutical industry experience in formulation and/or process development.
• Understanding of formulation and aseptic processes in a non‑GMP/GLP environment.
• Experience with process development and benchtop unit operations, including mixing, pumping, filtration, and lyophilization.
• Familiarity with additional biophysical or biochemical analytical methods such as DLS, DSC, DSF, SDS-PAGE, or UV/Vis.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced environment and adapt to changing project needs.
• Statistical software such as JMP
• Previous pharmaceutical, biologics, or Merck experience

Responsibilities

The Formulation Scientist will provide hands‑on support to the Merck Sterile Formulation Sciences team at the Rahway site. The primary focus of the position will be project work supporting sterile pharmaceutical product development, with emphasis on formulation composition, process development, and laboratory execution. The selected candidate will contribute to the design, preparation, testing, analysis, and documentation of formulation compositions and process definitions while collaborating with cross‑functional scientific and operational partners.

Primary Responsibilities

• Design and execute hypothesis‑driven formulation and process‑development experiments for sterile pharmaceutical products.
• Prepare common formulation buffers, reagents, and execute development batches/fill finish in appropriate containers using appropriate aseptic techniques and Good Laboratory Practices, as applicable.
• Support processing activities for solution or lyophilized formulations, or other dosage‑form preparation techniques as required.
• Conduct formulation characterization and selected analytical studies, including pH, osmolality, viscosity, particle‑size measurements, dynamic light scattering, and HPLC.
• Support stability and stress studies; analyze data, summarize findings, and document conclusions in laboratory notebooks, protocols, and technical reports.
• Draft, review, and execute protocols supporting laboratory batches and process‑development activities.
• Maintain clear, accurate, and contemporaneous laboratory records.
• Support laboratory readiness through equipment care, material preparation, and maintenance of a clean and organized working environment.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional partners, including analytical operations, manufacturing, and other scientific teams, to meet project timelines and deliverables.
• Continuously learn and apply relevant literature, methods, and technologies to improve formulation compositions and processes.
• Perform all work safely and in compliance with applicable site procedures and safety policies.