Scientist - II

AllSTEM Connections; Rahway (NJ); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Merck in Rahway, NJ seeks a Formulation Scientist to join the Sterile Formulation Sciences team. The role focuses on sterile pharmaceutical product development, formulation composition, process development, and rigorous laboratory execution across cross-functional partners.

The successful candidate will design, execute, test, and document formulation processes, maintain meticulous lab records, support stability and stress studies, and contribute to the advancement of aseptic formulation

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with relevant experience in pharmaceutical formulation or related field.
• Hands-on laboratory experience in formulation, sterile development, or process development.
• Ability to work in cross-functional teams and meet timelines.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute formulation and process-development experiments for sterile products.
• Prepare buffers and reagents; perform development batches using aseptic techniques and GLP-compliant practices.
• Support processing activities for solution or lyophilized formulations.
• Conduct formulation characterization and analytical studies (pH, osmolality, viscosity, DLS, HPLC).
• Support stability and stress studies, analyze data, and document conclusions.
• Draft, review, and execute protocols; maintain accurate lab records.
• Ensure lab readiness and safe, compliant operations; collaborate with cross-functional teams.
• Continuously apply literature and technologies to improve formulations and processes.

Skills

Laboratory skills

Sterile formulation

Process development

Communication skills

Teamwork

Biologics experience

Merck experience

Education

B.S./M.S./PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences / Chemical Engineering / Biochemistry / Chemistry or related field

Tools

JMP

Job description

• B.S. or M.S. degree, or PHD in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemical Engineering, Biochemistry, Chemistry, or a related field is required.

Experience:

• Bachelor’s with 5+ years, Master’s with 3+ years, or PhD with 0–1 year of exeprience.

Required Skills and Experience

• Excellent hands-on laboratory skills in pharmaceutical formulation, sterile product development, process development, or a related field.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Self-driven, independent, meticulous in execution, organized, attentive to timelines, and motivated to learn.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team and interface with cross-functional scientific professionals.

Desired Skills and Experience

• Experience with biologics and sterile formulation.
• Pharmaceutical industry experience in formulation and/or process development.
• Understanding of formulation and aseptic processes in a non-GMP/GLP environment.
• Experience with process development and benchtop unit operations, including mixing, pumping, filtration, and lyophilization.
• Familiarity with additional biophysical or biochemical analytical methods such as DLS, DSC, DSF, SDS-PAGE, or UV/Vis.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment and adapt to changing project needs.
• Statistical software such as JMP
• Previous pharmaceutical, biologics, or Merck experience

Responsibilities

The Formulation Scientist will provide hands-on support to the Merck Sterile Formulation Sciences team at the Rahway site. The primary focus of the position will be project work supporting sterile pharmaceutical product development, with emphasis on formulation composition, process development, and laboratory execution. The selected candidate will contribute to the design, preparation, testing, analysis, and documentation of formulation compositions and process definitions while collaborating with cross-functional scientific and operational partners.

Primary Responsibilities

• Design and execute hypothesis-driven formulation and process-development experiments for sterile pharmaceutical products.
• Prepare common formulation buffers, reagents, and execute development batches/fill finish in appropriate containers using appropriate aseptic techniques and Good Laboratory Practices, as applicable.
• Support processing activities for solution or lyophilized formulations, or other dosage-form preparation techniques as required.
• Conduct formulation characterization and selected analytical studies, including pH, osmolality, viscosity, particle-size measurements, dynamic light scattering, and HPLC.
• Support stability and stress studies; analyze data, summarize findings, and document conclusions in laboratory notebooks, protocols, and technical reports.
• Draft, review, and execute protocols supporting laboratory batches and process-development activities.
• Maintain clear, accurate, and contemporaneous laboratory records.
• Support laboratory readiness through equipment care, material preparation, and maintenance of a clean and organized working environment.
• Collaborate with cross-functional partners, including analytical operations, manufacturing, and other scientific teams, to meet project timelines and deliverables.
• Continuously learn and apply relevant literature, methods, and technologies to improve formulation compositions and processes.
• Perform all work safely and in compliance with applicable site procedures and safety policies.