Senior LAI Formulation Scientist – Depot & Release

Merck; Rahway (NJ); On-site; USD 173,000 - 273,000; Full time

Job summary

Merck is seeking a Principal Scientist to lead LAI formulation strategy across a portfolio of long-acting injectable drug products, including depot and sustained-release systems. The role involves scientific leadership across multidisciplinary teams, shaping development strategy and lifecycle management.

The candidate will define critical quality attributes, oversee studies on release kinetics and stability, and ensure manufacturability and clinical applicability while mentoring junior

Qualifications

• Deep expertise in parenteral drug product development and LAI formulations.
• Proven experience with QbD and DOE in formulation/process development.
• Experience supporting scale-up, validation and tech transfer for sterile injectables.

Responsibilities

• Lead LAI formulation and delivery strategy across programs.
• Define CQAs and CPPs for LAI projects and guide cross-functional teams.
• Support clinical and commercial process scale-up and tech transfer to GMP facilities.
• Mentor junior scientists and drive data-driven decision making.

Skills

Parenteral drug product development

LAI formulations

Cross-functional leadership

QbD principles

DOE approaches

Education

Ph.D. with 7+ years

M.S. with 10+ years

B.S. with 14+ years

Tools

GMP manufacturing

In situ forming systems

Job description

Merck is seeking a Principal Scientist to lead LAI formulation strategy across a portfolio of long-acting injectable drug products, including depot and sustained-release systems. The role involves scientific leadership across multidisciplinary teams, shaping development strategy and lifecycle management.

The candidate will define critical quality attributes, oversee studies on release kinetics and stability, and ensure manufacturability and clinical applicability while mentoring junior