Senior Scientist, Chemistry

Merck; West Point (PA); On-site; USD 117,000 - 184,000; Full time

Job summary

Merck seeks creative chemists for the Discovery Chemistry Department to invent novel medicines by applying innovative synthetic chemistry, analytical techniques, and data analysis to design and synthesize drug candidates and intermediates. You will join multidisciplinary teams and expand knowledge through collaborations with colleagues while advancing your career.

The candidate will design, synthesize, purify, and characterize drug candidates in target identification and validation across

Qualifications

• Experience in methodology/catalysis, total synthesis, chemical biology, bioconjugate chemistry, peptide synthesis, or physical organic chemistry.
• Ability to solve complex problems and work across teams.
• Excellent interpersonal, collaboration, and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Act as an expert in the laboratory, executing on program and chemistry strategy.
• Develop and utilize synthetic, medicinal chemistry and data analysis to build SAR.
• Design, synthesize, purify, and characterize drug candidates in key programs.
• Provide scientific mentoring and training to team members.
• Establish an external scientific presence through publications and presentations.

Skills

Adaptability

Chemical Synthesis

Chromatography

Collaborative Communications

Creative Thinking

Organic Chemistry

Organic Synthesis

Peptide Synthesis

Spectroscopy

Data-Driven Decision Making

Education

PhD in related fields (to be received by Summer 2026)

M.S. in related fields

B.S. in chemistry, chemical biology, medicinal chemistry or related

Job description

Job Description

Our Company is seeking creative chemists for positions within the Discovery Chemistry Department. The successful candidate will join multidisciplinary, highly collaborative discovery teams to invent novel medicines by applying innovative synthetic chemistry, analytical techniques, and data analysis to design and synthesize drug candidates and intermediates. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to expand your knowledge and skills through collaborations with talented and dedicated colleagues while advancing your career.

Specific Responsibilities Will Include The Following

• Act as an expert in the laboratory, executing on program and chemistry strategy.
• Develop and utilize innovative synthetic, medicinal chemistry and/or chemical biology problem solving skills coupled with analysis of data sets to build structure-activity relationships.
• Design, synthesize, purify, and characterize drug candidates and/or chemical probes in target identification and validation, hit-to-lead, and lead optimization programs.
• Provide scientific mentoring and technical training of team members.
• Establish a substantial external scientific presence including authoring significant scientific publications and presentations.

To accomplish the above, the successful candidate must be a creative and innovative scientist with strong organic synthesis, problem-solving, interpersonal, collaboration, and communication skills.

Education

• B.S. in chemistry, chemical biology, medicinal chemistry or a related scientific discipline with a minimum of seven (7) years of experience; M.S. in related fields with a minimum of four (4) years of experience; or a Ph.D. in related fields (to be received by Summer 2026).

Requirements

• Prior experience in methodology/catalysis, total synthesis, chemical biology, bioconjugate chemistry, peptide synthesis, and/or physical organic chemistry
• Ability to solve complex problems
• Excellent interpersonal, collaboration, and communication skills

Required Skills

• Adaptability
• Chemical Synthesis
• Chromatography
• Collaborative Communications
• Creative Thinking
• Data-Driven Decision Making
• Motivation Management
• Organic Chemistry
• Organic Synthesis
• Peptide Synthesis
• Spectroscopy
• Technical Training

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 click here 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 Affiantative 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.

Salary Range for this role

$117,000.00 - $184,200.00

This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this 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.

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

Employee Status

Regular

Relocation

Domestic

VISA Sponsorship

Yes

Travel Requirements

10%

Flexible Work Arrangements

Not Applicable

Shift

Not Indicated

Valid Driving License

No

Hazardous Material(s)

N/A

Job Posting End Date

09/12/2026

• 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.

Requisition ID:R398925