Senior Scientist, Analytical R&D

MSD; Rahway (NJ); On-site; USD 117,000 - 184,000; Full time

Job summary

Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, is seeking a Senior Scientist in the Pharmaceutical Analytical Sciences group to advance analytical methodologies for small molecules, peptides, and oligonucleotides across development stages.

You will lead studies, implement GMP-compliant methods, contribute to regulatory submissions, mentor teams, and collaborate across partners to enable clinical trials and robust product characterization.

Qualifications

• PhD or equivalent with pharmaceutical analytical focus.
• Advanced degree with relevant industry experience.
• Experience communicating scientific data and regulatory documentation.

Responsibilities

• Drive analytical development for small molecules, peptides and oligonucleotides.
• Design studies to understand synthetic routes, formulations and processes.
• Develop GMP-compliant analytical methods for development and release testing.
• Lead innovative teams shaping analytical tools for the future.
• Prepare regulatory submissions and respond to agency questions.

Skills

Adaptability

Analytical Method Development

Assay Development

Bioanalytical Analysis

Biochemical Assays

Biopharmaceuticals

Chromatographic Techniques

Chromatography

Data Science

Pharmaceutical Sciences

Process Analytical Technology (PAT)

Project Management

Regulatory Submissions

Ribonucleic Acid (RNA)

Strategic Thinking

Technical Writing

NMR Analysis

GMP Compliance

GMP Environments

Education

PhD in Chemistry

Master’s degree in Chemistry

Bachelor's Degree in Chemistry

Job description

Job Description

The Pharmaceutical Analytical Sciences group has an opening for a Senior Scientist based in Rahway, NJ. Join us and experience our culture first-hand - one of strong ethics & integrity, diversified experiences, exceptional science and a resounding passion for improving human health through innovative drug delivery technologies and predictive analytical tools. As part of our global team, you will have the opportunity to collaborate with talented and dedicated colleagues while developing and expanding your career. In your role as Senior Scientist, you will be part of a team developing innovative analytical methodologies for early to late phase programs with application to drug substance and a broad array of drug product dosage forms, combination products and modalities through analytical characterization, imaging tools, and data analysis. You would also contribute towards regulatory submissions to enable clinical trials.

Your main responsibilities

• Driving solutions to analytical development challenges for synthetic small molecule, peptide and oligonucleotide active pharmaceutical ingredients and pharmaceutical products using conventional and novel technologies.
• Designing scientific studies to inform the selection and deep understanding of synthetic routes, formulation compositions, and manufacturing processes.
• Implementing analytical methods for laboratory development, as well as release and shelf-life assessment of clinical supplies under good manufacturing practice (GMP) conditions.
• Providing leadership not only on drug development pipeline projects, but also innovative technology teams shaping analytical methods and tools of the future.
• Authoring regulatory submission documents across the project development lifecycle life-cycle, as well as responding to agency questions.
• Documenting work in a detailed and timely manner.
• Collaborating effectively with internal and external partners.
• Presenting results of experiments and innovation efforts to project teams and at various cross-functional forums.
• Engaging in the external scientific community, e.g. through participation in professional organizations, conferences, and publications.

Travel Requirements

5-10% Travel.

Education Minimum Requirements

Applicants must hold one one of:

• PhD in Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Science, or related discipline.
• Master’s degree in chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or related discipline plus at least 3 years of pharmaceutical industry experience.
• Bachelor's Degree in Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences or related discipline, plus at least 7 years of industry experience.

Required Experience and Skills

• A proven record of strong technical problem solving and innovative research experience, supported by scientific publications.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Strong leadership, collaboration and interpersonal skills.

Preferred Experience and Skills

While not required, experience in one or more of the following areas is preferred:

• Experience with large molecule characterization (oligonucleotides, enzymes, peptides, etc.)
• Chromatography (e.g. LC, GC) method development, analysis and troubleshooting.
• Other advanced analytical techniques such as mass spectrometry or dissolution.
• Data science.

Required Skills

• Adaptability
• Analytical Method Development
• Assay Development
• Bioanalytical Analysis
• Biochemical Assays
• Biopharmaceuticals
• Cell-Based Assays
• Chromatographic Techniques
• Chromatography
• Clinical Trials
• Data Science
• Dosage Forms
• GMP Compliance
• GMP Environments
• Innovative Thinking
• Medicinal Chemistry
• NMR Analysis
• Pharmaceutical Sciences
• Process Analytical Technology (PAT)
• Project Management
• Regulatory Submissions
• Ribonucleic Acid (RNA)
• Strategic Thinking
• Technical Writing
• Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography (UPLC)

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

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

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

Where required by law, the compensation range for this role is provided below.

The salary range for the primary location of this role is: $117,000.00 - $184,200.00

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.

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.

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 that ...

Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, Rahway, NJ, USA.

Employee Status: Regular

Relocation: Domestic

VISA Sponsorship: No

Travel Requirements: 10%

Flexible Work Arrangements: Not Applicable

Shift: 1st - Day

Valid Driving License: No

Hazardous Material(s): No

Job Posting End Date: 10/30/2026

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.

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.