Postdoctoral Research Fellow, NMR Spectroscopy

MSD; Rahway (NJ); On-site; USD 82,000 - 92,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Long-term incentive

Comprehensive benefits package

Job summary

Merck & Co., Inc. in Rahway, NJ seeks a Postdoctoral Research Fellow to advance NMR-based structural biology of biologics. You will lead publication-focused research, develop advanced NMR methods, and integrate data with MD for atomistic interpretation of spectra.

The role emphasizes independent plan-and-execute research, collaboration across teams, and dissemination of results through journals and meetings.

Qualifications

• PhD in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemical Engineering, or related discipline.
• Experience in NMR spectroscopy and interpretation of multidimensional or complex NMR data.
• Strong record of publications or conference presentations.

Responsibilities

• Plan and execute independent research in NMR spectroscopy applied to biologics.
• Develop and optimize NMR experiments and spectral analysis strategies.
• Create automated workflows to detect and interpret spectral features.
• Evaluate structure generation methods including AI/ML and physics-based models.
• Integrate NMR data with MD and iterative structural refinement.
• Apply methods to therapeutic proteins and biologics.
• Collaborate with PADT and related teams and publish findings.

Skills

NMR spectroscopy

Molecular dynamics

Molecular modeling

Analytical chemistry

Biochemistry

Scientific literacy

Scientific research

Python

C/C++

Rust

Education

PhD in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemical Engineering, or related discipline

Tools

Python

C/C++

Rust

Job description

Job Description

Our company is seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Research Fellow to join Pharmaceutical Analysis & Digital Technologies (PADT) in Rahway, New Jersey. This is an exciting opportunity to develop next-generation NMR spectroscopy approaches for the structural characterization of biologics and other complex pharmaceutical molecules. The successful candidate will lead publication-oriented research that expands biomolecular NMR beyond conventional biophysical measurements toward detailed, atomistic interpretation of natural-abundance NMR spectra.

Responsibilities

• Plan and execute independent research in NMR spectroscopy applied to biologics.
• Develop and optimize NMR experiments and spectral analysis strategies for complex biomolecules and pharmaceutical formulations.
• Create automated workflows to detect and interpret distinctive chemical shifts, linewidths, couplings, and other diagnostic spectral features.
• Evaluate structure generation methods and chemical shift prediction approaches, including AI, machine learning, and physics-based models.
• Integrate NMR data with molecular dynamics and iterative structural refinement to characterize biomolecular conformational ensembles.
• Apply developed methods to therapeutic proteins, novel biologic modalities, peptides, adjuvants, and other pharmaceutically relevant systems.
• Collaborate with teams in PADT, Large Molecule Analytical, Pharmaceutical Sciences & Device Development, and Protein Sciences and Biophysics.
• Publish findings in peer-reviewed journals and present research at scientific meetings.

Education

• Must currently hold a PhD OR
• Receive a Ph.D. no later than spring 2027
• Ph.D. in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemical Engineering, or a related discipline.

Required Experience and Skills

• Expertise in NMR spectroscopy and interpretation of multidimensional or complex NMR data.
• Strong record of scientific achievement, including peer-reviewed publications or conference presentations.
• Ability to design, execute, analyze, and communicate independent research in a collaborative environment.

Preferred Experience and Skills

• Experience in biomolecular NMR or structural biology.
• Experience with Python, C/C++, Rust, or other scientific programming languages.
• Knowledge of molecular modeling, machine learning, and generative AI.

Required Skills

Analytical Chemistry, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Molecular Dynamics (MD), Molecular Modeling, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (NMR), Scientific Literacy, Scientific Research

The salary range for this role is: $82,000- $92,000

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.

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:

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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

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: 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.