Principal Scientist, Discovery Process Chemistry (DPC)

1556 Merck Research Laboratories Massachusetts, LLC; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 176,000 - 277,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Long-term incentive

Medical, dental, vision benefits

401(k) retirement plan

Job summary

MSD is seeking an exceptional scientific leader for the Discovery Process Chemistry (DPC) group at the Boston site. The role involves directing a team of scientists to tackle complex chemistry challenges across discovery projects, from lead identification through candidate selection, and ensuring smooth transition to early development.

The candidate will define scalable synthetic routes, manage APIs supply for evolving programs, and collaborate with Medicinal and Process Chemistry as well as

Qualifications

• Education: PhD in Organic Chemistry is required.
• Minimum 5 years of experience with a proven track record of scientific excellence and successful research.
• Expertise in organic synthesis and medicinal/process chemistry.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of scientists in developing solutions to complex chemistry problems across discovery projects.
• Define scalable synthetic routes and transition candidate compounds from discovery into early development.
• Collaborate with Medicinal Chemistry, Process Chemistry and other discovery/preclinical groups.
• Mentor and provide expertise across the DPC group, drive innovation and external engagement.

Skills

Bioconjugation

Clinical Chemistry

Computational Chemistry

High-Throughput

Inorganic Synthesis

Medicinal Chemistry

Organic Chemistry

Organic Synthesis

Organometallic Chemistry

Preclinical Research

Process Chemistry

Scientific Publishing

Structure Based Drug Design

Synthetic Chemistry

Education

PhD in Organic Chemistry

Job description

Job Description

Our Company is currently seeking an exceptional scientific leader for our Discovery Process Chemistry (DPC) group at our Boston, MA site. The core responsibility of the successful candidate will be to lead a team of scientists in the development of innovative solutions to complex chemistry problems across a diverse portfolio of projects and modalities in the discovery phase, from lead identification through candidate selection, with the goal to apply these solutions to facilitate medicinal chemistry research by overcoming synthetic bottlenecks, streamlining SAR analogue synthesis, and providing access to novel chemical space. The position is also responsible for defining scalable synthetic routes and successfully transitioning candidate compounds from discovery into early development, as well as managing supply of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) at varying scales during this period. Close collaboration with chemistry colleagues in Medicinal Chemistry and Process Chemistry, as well as a broad array of other discovery and preclinical research groups, will be expected. As such, subject matter expertise in Medicinal or Process Chemistry is critical. The candidate must be highly self-motivated, demonstrate strong leadership, possess strong experimental skills, have excellent written and oral communication abilities, collaborate effectively on multidisciplinary teams, and be able to demonstrate flexibility in adapting to change in a fast-paced, dynamic research environment. In addition to supervising direct scientific reports, the candidate is also expected to provide broader mentorship and expertise across the DPC group. The candidate will be expected to remain current with the latest synthetic methodologies, drive innovation, actively apply new concepts to continuously improve PR&D capabilities and expertise, and be active in the external scientific community via publications and external presentations.

Position Qualifications

Education Requirement: PhD in Organic Chemistry

Required Experience and Skills:

• A minimum of 5 years experience with a proven track record of scientific excellence and successful research
• Expertise in organic synthesis
• Demonstrated creativity and innovation in problem solving
• Productivity and efficiency working in the lab
• Proven track record of successful research in medicinal and/or process chemistry
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Excellent collaboration skills
• Ability to contribute to and lead cross‑functional teams and influence team strategy and decision‑making
• Established scientific reputation supported by publications and external presentations
• Demonstrated ability to develop talent

Required Skills:

• Bioconjugation
• Clinical Chemistry
• Computational Chemistry
• High-Throughput Experimentation (HTE)
• Inorganic Synthesis
• Medicinal Chemistry
• Organic Chemistry
• Organic Synthesis
• Organometallic Chemistry
• Preclinical Research
• Process Chemistry
• Scientific Publishing
• Structure Based Drug Design
• Synthetic Chemistry

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.

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The primary location for this posting is: USA - Massachusetts - Boston (MA Parcel B Laboratory).

Where required by law, the compensation range for this role is provided below.

The salary range for the primary location of this role is: $176,200.00 - $277,300.00

This range reflects the Company's reasonable expectation of the base salary applicable to this role at the time of 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.

Additional location(s): Please note the salary range above applies to the Primary Location of the position.

Where a role has other listed locations, different compensation guidelines may apply. We may find the salary ranges for additional locations below. If the salary range is not listed for the location you are applying to, our Talent Acquisition team will provide further information to you relevant to your location.

Additional location(s) Compensation Information: 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.

Job Posting End Date: 11/28/2026