Senior Scientist, Chemistry (On-site)

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

Job summary

Merck in Rahway, NJ, is seeking a scientist to join the Catalysis and Flow Lab within the Process Research & Development organization. The role focuses on developing flow chemistry and continuous processing to enable efficient API manufacturing and reduce environmental impact.

You will work with multidisciplinary teams of chemists and engineers to push new transformations, optimize routes, and support campaigns from lab to production.

Qualifications

• PhD in chemistry or chemical engineering, or a bachelor's degree with at least 4 years of pharma industry experience.
• Working knowledge of flow chemistry.
• Strong record of outstanding research in the candidate's field and ability to present it.
• Excellent collaboration and communication skills.
• Leadership and interpersonal skills.
• Familiarity with programming and lab automation.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement novel flow chemistry and continuous processing technologies for robust API manufacturing.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams of synthetic and analytical chemists and chemical engineers.
• Enable new chemical transformations and influence route design; support API campaigns at lab, pilot, and manufacturing scales.
• Become a subject matter expert in flow chemistry and continuous processing within Process Chemistry.

Skills

Flow Chemistry

Chemical Engineering

Organic Chemistry

Collaboration

Communication Skills

Problem Solving

Leadership

Education

PhD in Chemistry or Chemical Engineering

Bachelor's in Chemistry or Chemical Engineering +4 years pharma experience

Tools

Lab Automation

Job description

Job Description

Our Company is seeking a talented scientist to join the Catalysis and Flow Lab within the Process Research & Development organization at its Rahway, NJ site. The successful candidate will:

• Develop and implement novel flow chemistry and continuous processing technologies to enable robust, sustainable, and efficient API manufacturing processes.
• This role involves laboratory experimentation in flow chemistry and close collaboration with multidisciplinary teams of synthetic and analytical chemists and chemical engineers.
• Key responsibilities include: Enabling new chemical transformations and influencing route design. The broader flow chemistry team also supports API campaigns at laboratory, pilot, and manufacturing scales.
• Candidates should be passionate about becoming subject matter experts in flow chemistry and continuous processing within the Process Chemistry Department.

Education

Minimum Requirements: PhD in chemistry or chemical engineering, OR a bachelor's degree in either field with at least 4 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry.

Required Experience and Skills

• Working knowledge of flow chemistry.
• A record of outstanding research in the candidate's field of expertise that can be shared during the interview process.
• Demonstrated fluency in organic chemistry principles.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams and outstanding communication skills.
• Strong problem-solving and troubleshooting skills.
• High-level leadership and interpersonal skills.

Preferred Experience and Skills

• Familiarity with programming and lab automation.
• Experience in electrochemistry or photochemistry.
• A track record of peer-reviewed publications and research presentations.

Required Skills

• Analytical Method Development
• Chemical Engineering
• Chemical Proteomics
• Chemical Synthesis
• Chemometrics
• Chromatography
• Data-Driven Decision Making
• Flow Chemistry
• Laboratory Automation
• Mass Spectrometry Based Proteomics
• Organic Chemistry
• Organometallic Chemistry
• Pharmaceutics
• Process Analytical Technology (PAT)
• Protein Chromatography

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.

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.

Location

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

Compensation

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.

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

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: VISA Sponsorship: Travel Requirements: Flexible Work Arrangements: Not Applicable Shift: Valid Driving License: Hazardous Material(s):

Job Posting End Date: 11/11/2026

*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.