Principal Scientist, Peptide Formulation

Merck & Co.; South San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 176,000 - 277,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Long-term incentive

Comprehensive benefits

Job summary

Merck & Co. in South San Francisco, CA is seeking a Principal Scientist in Peptide Formulation (Discovery Pharm Sci) to lead early formulation development and developability assessments for peptide modalities.

You will perform hands-on experiments and drive strategies to optimize candidates with partner functions. You will collaborate across Medicinal Chemistry, DMPK, Nonclinical Safety and Drug Product teams to advance clinical candidates, characterize key physicochemical properties, and mentor

Qualifications

• PhD with at least 6 years of industrial peptide formulation experience.
• Strong communication and leadership skills.
• Experience in preclinical/clinical formulation development and physico-chemical characterization of peptides.
• Experience in candidate selection and developability assessment.

Responsibilities

• Characterize physicochemical properties of peptide molecules and develop deliverable formulations.
• Lead early formulation development and developability assessments for diverse peptide modalities.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to select clinical candidates and define delivery approaches.
• Mentor junior scientists and contribute to department scientific initiatives.

Skills

Cell Culture

Process Development

Drug Delivery

Peptides

Pharmaceutical Formulation

Protein Chemistry

Quality by Design

Technology Transfer

Education

PhD in a relevant field

Job description

Principal Scientist in Peptide Formulation (Discovery Pharm Sci)

Position Description

The Discovery Pharmaceutical Sciences (DPS) group based in South San Francisco, CA is seeking a Principal Scientist with expertise in formulation development and candidate selection of peptides.

DPS is a multi-disciplinary research group that provides drug delivery, pre-formulation and formulation support for peptides, biologics and small molecules at the development and drug discovery interface.

Our team is responsible for the characterization of pre-clinical drug candidates' physicochemical properties.

We aim to work with partner groups to select candidates with optimal development properties while balancing all other key therapeutic properties.

Our research also covers identification of preclinical formulations for pharmacology and toxicology studies and ideally for FIH across a variety of administration routes and modalities (biologics, small molecules, peptides, and oligonucleotides).

In this exciting role, you will focus on the characterization, early formulation development, developability assessment and delivery approaches for various peptide modalities.

Goals include a) early formulation screening and developability assessment as well as b) recommendation of single candidate together with partner functions. Innovation in peptide formulation and drug delivery will be critical. You will serve as a team member and execute lab experiments yourself with minimal supervision.

You will generate these key data sets and convey their meaning to the teams you work on and develop strategies to optimize molecules and their formulations.

Within DPS you will have the opportunity to contribute to departmental scientific initiatives as an individual contributor and as a technical lead to mentor junior scientists. You will also closely interact with other key functions required for the progression of clinical candidate selection including Medicinal Chemistry, Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, Nonclinical Drug Safety and Drug Product team.

The successful candidate will have expertise in characterizing physicochemical properties of peptide molecules such as oligomer state, fibrillation risk. A demonstrated track record of problem-solving skills and ability to drive innovation (as evidenced by publication, talks, or patents) is highly appreciated.

Position Qualifications

Required Experience and Skills:

• Successful candidates will have a PhD degree with a minimum of 6 years of relevant industrial experience in developing peptide formulations in preclinical or clinical stages. Excellent verbal and written communication skills are required. Strong leadership/interpersonal skills and motivation to work in a team environment with cross-functional interactions are essential.

Preferred Experience and Skills:

• Candidates with experience in pre-clinical /clinical formulation development and physico-chemical characterization of peptides are preferred. Experience in candidate selection, and developability assessment is highly relevant. Additional experience in drug delivery technology is helpful.

Preferred Skills

Cell Culture Process Development, Cell Line Development, Clinical Development, Combination Products, Drug Delivery, Drug Design, Drug Development, Drug Formulations, Finite Element Analysis (FEA), Messenger RNA, Oligonucleotides, Peptides, Peptide Synthesis, Pharmaceutical Process Development, Pharmacodynamics, Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacology, Product Formulation, Protein Biochemistry, Protein Chemistry, Quality by Design, Scientific Research, Technology Transfer

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.

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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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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Salary range: $176,200.00 - $277,300.00

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.

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

10/16/2026

*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.