Senior Scientist, Chemistry

Biopharma Careers; West Point (MS); On-site; USD 117,000 - 184,000; Full time

Job summary

Merck & Co., Inc. in the United States is seeking creative chemists for positions in Discovery Chemistry.

The successful candidate will join multidisciplinary teams to invent novel medicines by applying synthetic chemistry, analytical techniques, and data analysis to design and synthesize drug candidates and intermediates. You will mentor teammates, publish findings, and contribute to external scientific presence while advancing your career.

Qualifications

• BS in chemistry/related field with 7+ years of experience; MS with 4+ years; PhD in related fields (to be received by Summer 2026)

Responsibilities

• 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 with data analysis 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 publications and presentations.

Skills

Adaptability

Chemical Synthesis

Chromatography

Collaborative Communications

Creative Thinking

Data-Driven Decision Making

Motivation Management

Organic Chemistry

Organic Synthesis

Peptide Synthesis

Spectroscopy

Technical Training

Education

Bachelor's degree in chemistry, chemical biology, medicinal chemistry, or related field

Master's degree in related fields

PhD in related fields

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.

Responsibilities

• 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.

Equal Employment Opportunity

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.

Company Values

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 salary range for this role is $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.

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: Yes
• Travel Requirements: 10%
• Flexible Work Arrangements: Not Applicable
• Shift: Not Indicated
• Valid Driving License: No
• Hazardous Material(s): N/A