Principal Scientist, Drug Discovery

MSD; Rahway (NJ); Hybrid; USD 170,000 - 267,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work arrangements

Job summary

MSD in Rahway, NJ invites a Principal Scientist to lead drug discovery programs in animal health from ideation to proof-of-concept and into development.

PhD and/or DVM/VMD with board certification in pharmacology; minimum 8 years pharma R&D experience; expertise in oncology/diabetes/respiratory or related fields; strong regulation knowledge; travel 10% and ability to manage multiple projects in a matrix environment.

Qualifications

• PhD and/or DVM/VMD with board certification in pharmacology.
• Minimum of 8 years industry or pharmaceutical research experience in drug discovery or preclinical research with a focus on in vivo pharmacology.
• Expertise in oncology, diabetes, respiratory & immunology, cardiology, pain & inflammation, or reproduction.
• Knowledge of regulatory aspects of pharmaceuticals including GLP, GCP and GMP.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, budgets, contracts, and timelines.
• Ability to independently plan, recommend and complete research programs.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Experience in preparing patent applications in support of patent coverage of research efforts.
• 10 % Travel

Responsibilities

• Lead research programs from ideation through early research and proof-of-concept to development.
• Interface with researchers and senior management and external partners.
• Manage resources and budgets across multiple projects in a matrix environment.
• Prepare executive-level presentations and documents.
• Collaborate with vendors, contractors and academia as needed.
• Travel up to 10%

Skills

Adaptability

Communication

Detail-Oriented

Ethical Compliance

In Vivo Models

In Vivo Pharmacology

Leading Project Teams

Persuasion

Professional Networking

Science

Social Collaboration

Education

PhD and/or DVM/VMD, with Board certification in pharmacology

Job description

Job Description

Join the Rahway, NJ Animal Health Team

Our Company's Global Animal Health Research & Development (R&D) division is a pioneer in the discovery, development and registration of vaccines and therapeutics for animals. To strengthen our team, we are looking for a highly skilled and motivated Principal Scientist to join our R&D team.

Purpose of the Role

The Principal Scientist, Drug Discovery in our Research and Development Department will be responsible for identifying new molecular entities and technologies for use in animal health from our Company Laboratories or from external partners such as human pharma or biotech companies as well as academia. The successful candidate will be a key driver to advance novel targets and will lead these research programs from ideation through the early research and proof-of-concept phase up to the development stage. She/he/they will interface with researchers and senior management throughout the organization as well as external partners and operate within a matrix structure to garner resources for the necessary research work (Medicinal and Process Chemistry, in vitro Pharmacology, Pharmacokinetics, Disease Models, Formulation Development, Safety & Toxicology). The position will report directly to the Distinguished Scientist and Global Head, our Company's Research & Development Liaison and Discovery – Non-infectious Diseases.

Education

• Required: PhD and/or DVM/VMD, with Board certification in pharmacology

Required Experience

• Minimum of 8 years industry or pharmaceutical research experience in drug discovery or preclinical research with a focus on in vivo pharmacology
• Advanced and thorough scientific knowledge in pharmacology, disease mechanisms and related preclinical models
• Expertise in one of the following fields: oncology, diabetes, respiratory & immunology, cardiology, pain & inflammation, or reproduction.
• Knowledge of regulatory aspects of pharmaceuticals including GLP, GCP and GMP
• Ability to manage multiple projects, including budgets, contracts, and timelines
• Ability to independently plan, recommend and complete research programs
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Effective creator of executive level presentations and documents
• Experience in preparing patent applications in support of patent coverage of research efforts
• 10 % Travel

Preferred Experience

• Board certification in Pharmacology
• Project management skills within pharmaceuticals
• Experience in developing and managing collaborations with outsource providers, vendors, contractors and academic institutions
• Experience in working with business development to identify and license external technology opportunities

Animal Health

Our Animal Health Division is a trusted global leader in veterinary medicine, dedicated to preserving and improving health, well-being, and performance of animals and the people who care for them. We are a global team of professionals working together to make a positive difference in animal care and the world’s food supply and have a deep sense of responsibility towards our customers, consumers, animals, society, and our planet. Through our commitment to The Science of Healthier Animals®, we offer veterinarians, farmers, pet owners and governments one of the widest ranges of veterinary pharmaceuticals, vaccines and health management solutions and services. We invest in dynamic and comprehensive R&D resources and a modern, global supply chain. We are present in more than 50 countries, while our products are available in some 150 markets.

Required Skills

• Adaptability
• Communication
• Detail-Oriented
• Ethical Compliance
• In Vivo Models
• In Vivo Pharmacology
• Leading Project Teams
• Persuasion
• Professional Networking
• Science
• Social Collaboration

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. Please click here if you need an accommodation during the application or hiring process.

As an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer

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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The salary range for this role is

$169,700.00 - $267,200.00

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.

The application deadline for this position is stated on this posting.

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

• Employee Status: Regular
• Relocation: Domestic
• VISA Sponsorship: No
• Travel Requirements: 10%
• Flexible Work Arrangements: Hybrid
• Shift: Not Indicated
• Valid Driving License: No
• Hazardous Material(s): N/A

Job Posting End Date: 08/27/2026*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.