Senior Scientist, Analytical R&D (Onsite)

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

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision coverage

401(k) retirement plan

Paid holidays and vacation

Job summary

Merck & Co., Inc. in Rahway, NJ seeks a Senior Scientist in Pharmaceutical Analytical Sciences to advance analytical methodologies across early-to-late programs. You will work on drug substances, dosage forms, and modalities, contributing to regulatory submissions and cross‑functional collaboration.

The role involves leading innovative teams, presenting findings, and engaging with external partners in a GMP environment. Travel is expected 5–10%.

Qualifications

• PhD or Master's with pharma industry experience as stated in the education section.
• Proven publication record and strong communication skills.
• Ability to lead cross-functional teams and collaborate externally.

Responsibilities

• Drive analytical development solutions for small molecules, peptides, and oligonucleotides.
• Design studies to understand synthetic routes, formulations, and manufacturing processes.
• Develop analytical methods for GMP release and shelflife assessment.
• Provide leadership for pipeline projects and technology teams.
• Prepare regulatory submission documents and respond to agency questions.
• Document work meticulously and communicate results to teams.

Skills

Analytical Method Development

Assay Development

Bioanalytical Analysis

Chemistry

Drug Development

GMP Environments

Innovative Thinking

LC

Mass Spectrometry

Method Development

NMR

Pharmaceutical Industry

Regulatory Submissions

Strategic Thinking

Technical Writing

Education

PhD in Chemistry or related

Master’s in Chemistry or Pharmaceutical Sciences + 3 years experience

Bachelor’s in Chemistry or related +7 years experience

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 include:*** 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 shelflife 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 lifecycle, 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.ARDeligibleforERP**Required Skills:**Analytical Method Development, Assay Development, Bioanalytical Analysis, Chemistry, Drug Development, GMP Environments, Innovative Thinking, Liquid Chromatography (LC), Mass Spectrometry (MS), Method Development, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), Pharmaceutical Industry, Regulatory Submissions, Strategic Thinking, Technical Writing**Preferred Skills:**Current Employees applyCurrent Contingent Workers apply**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. Please if you need an accommodation during the application or hiring process.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: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.The primary location for this posting is:USA - New Jersey - RahwayWhere 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 - $184,200.00This 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 .**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**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:**Regular**Relocation:**Domestic**VISA Sponsorship:**No**Travel Requirements:**No Travel Required**Flexible Work Arrangements:**Not Applicable**Shift:**1st - Day**Valid