Formulation Scientist, Discovery Pharmaceutical Sciences (Onsite)

msd; South San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 108,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Merck & Co., Inc. in South San Francisco seeks a Scientist (R2) to support physico-chemical characterization and formulation development for proteins or small molecule candidates.

You will contribute to development efforts under mentorship, with emphasis on data analysis, communication, and problem-solving in a fast-paced team. The role emphasizes learning new analytical techniques, collaboration across disciplines, and contributing to early-stage drug discovery programs within DPS and the

Qualifications

• Bachelor-level degree with 3+ years or MS in Chemical/Biochemical/Biomedical Engineering, Pharmaceutical sciences, Chemistry or Biochemistry.
• Ability to learn and apply new scientific principles to execute daily responsibilities.
• Demonstrated data analysis and strong written/verbal communication skills.
• Willingness to work in a fast-paced, collaborative lab environment.

Responsibilities

• Develops and applies basic laboratory principles in a compliant environment.
• Troubleshoots procedures, data, or instrumentation (e.g., UPLC) to improve understanding.
• Executes routine experiments with guidance and manages priorities with supervision.
• Builds awareness of new technologies to grow as a pharmaceutical scientist.
• Assists in physico-chemical characterization and formulation development.

Skills

Analytical Chemistry

Biochemistry

Biomedical Engineering

Bioprocess Engineering

Chemical Analysis

Chemical Engineering

Data Analysis

Drug Delivery

Immunochemistry

Laboratory Analytical Techniques

Materials Science

Molecular Biology

Molecular Cloning

Pharmaceutical Microbiology

Pharmaceutical Research

Education

B.S. degree with three years’ experience or MS degree in Chemical/ Biochemical/ Biomedical Engineering, Pharmaceutical sciences, Chemistry, Biochemistry, or related disciplines

Tools

UPLC

Automation

Job description

Job Description

Our Company's Research Laboratories South San Francisco (SSF) Discovery Center, a wholly owned subsidiary of Our Company, is focused on driving discovery research. Our multi-disciplinary discovery research site offers state‑of‑the‑art resources to explore the most promising science combined with our Company's world‑class R&D expertise in small molecules and biologics. Located within the heart of the Bay area’s biomedical community, research conducted in our new laboratories spans exploratory biology through early clinical development and is an integral part of our Company's powerful world‑class network of drug and vaccine discovery.

At our Company, we are inspired by the belief that a research‑driven enterprise dedicated to scientific excellence can create medicines and vaccines that save and improve lives. Every employee is building on our proud legacy of scientific breakthrough. Our ability to impact the lives of patients worldwide depends on the integrity, creativity, humility, and scientific acumen of our team. We are creating an organization that is inspired by invention and founded on a culture of respect and collaboration. At our Company's Research Labs, you’ll have the opportunity to expand your knowledge and skills through collaboration with talented and dedicated colleagues while advancing your career.

Discovery Pharmaceutical Sciences (DPS) enables drug discovery and drug product development through application of pharmaceutical science and drug delivery research, from target identification through clinical candidate selection for both small and large molecules. We utilize our expertise to characterize novel molecules and develop preclinical formulations to successfully advance quality drug candidate compounds from discovery to development.

DPS in South San Francisco, CA, is seeking a passionate Scientist (R2) with strong academic fundamentals and a drive to develop new medicines to join our team. In this role, the individual will be responsible for supporting the physico‑chemical characterization and formulation development of proteins or small molecule drug candidates.

Additional responsibilities are as follows:

• Develops and applies basic principles and scientific concepts to execute work in a laboratory environment in compliance with Safety and Environmental requirements.
• Proactively identifies and troubleshoots potential issues with procedures, data, or instrumentation (for example UPLC), leading to improvements in scientific understanding.
• Executes routine experiments and data interpretation with appropriate technical guidance.
• Can understand overall project timelines to manage prioritization of individual contributor deliverables with appropriate supervision.
• Builds awareness of relevant new and current technologies to grow as a pharmaceutical scientist.

Education and Experience

• B.S. degree with three years’ experience or MS degree in Chemical/ Biochemical/ Biomedical Engineering, Pharmaceutical sciences, Chemistry, Biochemistry, or related disciplines.

Required Experience and Skills

• Ability to learn and apply new scientific principles to execute daily responsibilities
• Demonstrated ability to collate and conduct basic data analysis
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Strong organizational, logistical, and technical problem‑solving abilities
• Ability to work in a fast‑paced collaborative team environment
• Learning and growth mindset; willingness to master new analytical techniques and formulation processes.

Desired Experience and Skills

• Prior experience in a laboratory environment
• Passion to learn and develop as a pharmaceutical scientist
• Prior experience in a laboratory environment
• Passion to learn and develop as a pharmaceutical scientist
• Candidates with experience in pre‑clinical / clinical formulation development and physico‑chemical characterization of proteins or solid oral dosage form are preferred.
• Candidates with experience in automation and high‑throughput testing are preferred

Required Skills: Analytical Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biomedical Engineering, Bioprocess Engineering, Chemical Analysis, Chemical Engineering, Data Analysis, Drug Delivery, Immunochemistry, Laboratory Analytical Techniques, Materials Science, Molecular Biology, Molecular Cloning, Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Pharmaceutical Research

Preferred Skills:

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.

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

The salary range for this role is $108,000.00 - $170,100.00

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 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.

Employee Status: Regular

Relocation: Domestic

VISA Sponsorship: No

Travel Requirements: 10%

Flexible Work Arrangements: Not Applicable

Shift: Not Indicated

Valid Driving License: No

Hazardous Material(s): n/a

Job Posting End Date: 10/12/2026

*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.