Principal Scientist, Raw Materials Center of Excellence Strategy Lead, Pharmaceutical Analysis and Digital Technologies

MSD; Rahway (NJ); On-site; USD 157,000 - 247,000; Full time

Job summary

MSD in Rahway, NJ is looking for a Principal Scientist to define and lead the Raw Materials Center of Excellence strategy. You will establish harmonized, science- and risk-based control and release testing across our clinical portfolio including small molecules, biologics, and vaccines.

The role requires serving as the technical authority on raw materials, ensuring cGMP compliance, inspection readiness, and alignment with GMPs, ICH, USP/NF, and FDA guidelines while mentoring scientists and

Qualifications

• PhD/Master's/Bachelor's with extensive pharma industry experience as stated.
• Knowledge of GMPs, ICH, USP/NF and FDA guidance.
• Experience leading technical strategy in a matrix organization.

Responsibilities

• Define and drive multi-year CoE strategy and roadmaps for raw materials.
• Establish science- and risk-based control strategies and reduced testing programs.
• Provide technical oversight of contract laboratories and CAPAs.
• Review GMP data, release specs, and SOPs; author CoE governance documents.
• Serve as raw material SME during audits and regulatory inspections.
• Monitor regulatory trends and lead gap assessments and plans.
• Champion operational excellence via digital tools while ensuring data integrity.
• Mentor scientists and partner with cross-functional stakeholders to align strategies.

Skills

GMP knowledge

Regulatory knowledge

Analytical leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Data integrity

Digital tools in testing

Education

PhD in Analytical Chemistry/Biochemistry/Pharmaceutical Sciences

Master's in Analytical Chemistry/Biochemistry/Pharmaceutical Sciences

Bachelor's in Analytical Chemistry/Biochemistry/Pharmaceutical Sciences

Job description

Principal Scientist – Rahway, NJ

Job Description The Pharmaceutical Analysis and Digital Technologies (PADT) team has an opening for a Principal Scientist based in Rahway, NJ. In this role, the Principal Scientist will define and lead the strategy for the Raw Materials Center of Excellence (CoE), establishing harmonized, science- and risk-based approaches to raw material, excipient, and package component control and release testing across the entirety of our clinical portfolio including small molecule, biologics, and vaccines. The Principal Scientist will serve as the technical authority for raw materials, ensuring that CoE standards, processes, and testing strategies support cGMP compliance, operational excellence, and a constant state of inspection readiness. The Principal Scientist should be engaged in regulatory, compendial, and industry trends and have thorough working knowledge of GMPs, ICH, USP/NF, and relevant FDA guidelines. In addition, the Principal Scientist will partner with Analytical leadership across all modalities and cross-functional stakeholders in Quality, Procurement, Materials Management, and Pharmaceutical Sciences to translate portfolio and supply needs into a multi-year CoE roadmap. The role will influence without direct authority, mentor scientists to build technical capability, and drive risk assessment, resource and capacity planning, and continuous improvement initiatives for the CoE.

Primary Responsibilities

• Define and drive the strategy, governance, and multi-year roadmap for the Raw Materials Center of Excellence
• Establish science- and risk-based raw material control strategies, including specification setting, supplier qualification input, and reduced testing programs, to enable on-time, right-first-time clinical manufacture
• Provide technical oversight of contract laboratories and lead scientific support for raw material investigations, deviations, and CAPAs
• Review and approve GMP data, release specifications, analytical reports, Certificates of Analysis, and SOPs; author and own CoE standards and governance documents
• Serve as the raw material SME during internal and external compliance audits and regulatory inspections
• Monitor regulatory, compendial (USP/NF, Ph. Eur., JP), and industry trends; lead gap assessments and implementation plans
• Champion operational excellence and efficiency in raw material testing through use of digital tools and innovative technologies while ensuring data integrity and right-first-time execution
• Partner cross-functionally with Analytical Leadership, Quality, Procurement, Materials Management, and Pharmaceutical Sciences to align an integrated raw material strategy to meet the clinical portfolio and supply needs across all modalities
• Mentor and develop scientists, building technical depth and raw materials expertise across the CoE Education

Minimum Requirements

• PhD Degree in Analytical Chemistry, Biochemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences or related fields with at least 7 years of pharmaceutical industry experience.
• Master’s Degree in Analytical Chemistry, Biochemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences or related fields with at least 10 years of pharmaceutical industry experience.
• Bachelor’s Degree in Analytical Chemistry, Biochemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences or related fields with at least 12 years of pharmaceutical industry experience.

Required Experience and Skills

Extensive expertise in the analytical testing of raw materials, excipients, and/or package components, preferably within a cGMP environment, with comprehensive knowledge of GMPs, ICH guidelines, compendial requirements, and applicable FDA guidance Demonstrated ability to develop and execute technical strategy and to exercise influence without direct authority within a matrixed organization Excellent scientific communication, creativity, and interpersonal skills Proven experience mentoring scientists and collaborating cross-functionally to deliver high-quality results within established timelines Strong coaching and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively in a team-based, cross-functional environment

Preferred Experience and Skills

Though not required, the ideal applicant would have experience establishing or leading a center of excellence or global harmonization initiative, risk-based raw material control strategies (e.g., reduced testing or supplier qualification programs), and contract laboratory oversight. Familiarity with compendial monograph changes, data/digital solutions for lab operations, and package or medical device components is a plus.

Compensation & Benefits

The salary range for the primary location of this role is: $156,900.00 - $247,000.00 This range reflects the Company's reasonable expectation of the base salary applicable to this role at the time of posting.

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.

Location

The primary location for this posting is: USA - New Jersey - Rahway

Additional Information

Where required by law, the compensation range for this role is provided below. The salary range for the primary location of this role is: $156,900.00 - $247,000.00 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.

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. You 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

Equal Opportunity Statement

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

Additional Company Information

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

Recruiter & Search Firm Notice

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 & Logistics

Employee Status: Regular Relocation: VISA Sponsorship: Travel Requirements: Flexible Work Arrangements: Not Applicable Shift: Valid Driving License: Hazardous Material(s): Job Posting End Date: 12/11/2026 *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.

Company Overview

Our company is a global health care leader with a diversified portfolio of prescription medicines, vaccines and animal health products. The difference between potential and achievement lies in the spark that fuels innovation and inventiveness; this is the space where we have codified our legacy for over a century. Our success is backed by ethical integrity, forward momentum, and an inspiring mission to achieve new milestones in global healthcare.