Senior Scientist, Materials Science

Merck & Co.; Rahway (NJ); On-site; USD 117,000 - 184,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision

401(k)

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Merck & Co. seeks a Pharmaceutical Materials Scientist to advance physicochemical characterization of APIs, intermediates, excipients, and drug products from discovery through development and launch.

The role focuses on crystallization, polymorph and salt-selection, and compatibility of drug substances with excipients, including amorphous solid dispersions and stability studies. Collaboration across discovery, process chemistry, and manufacturing is essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree with minimum 5 years industrial experience.
• PhD preferred in related discipline.
• Experience with materials characterization techniques such as X-ray diffraction, thermal analysis, electron microscopy, vibrational spectroscopy, particle size analysis or powder property characterization.

Responsibilities

• Characterize pharmaceutical materials and monitor properties affecting stability and performance.
• Address crystallization, polymorph and salt-selection challenges in development.
• Assess drug-excipient compatibility and amorphous solid dispersions.
• Collaborate across discovery, process chemistry, chemical engineering, pharma sciences and manufacturing.

Skills

Analytical Method Development

Data Analysis

Materials Characterization

Physical Sciences

Strategic Thinking

Technical Writing

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Materials Science and Engineering, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Pharmaceutical Sciences or related discipline with minimum 5 years of industrial experience

PhD in Materials Science and Engineering, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Pharmaceutical Sciences or related discipline

Job description

Job Description

The Materials Science team within Analytical Enabling Capabilities is seeking a highly motivated and technically focused individual interested in positively impacting our Company's pipeline from discovery through development and commercial launch. This position is for a Pharmaceutical Materials Scientist to be a key member of a team responsible for the physicochemical characterization of pharmaceutical materials including small molecule active pharmaceutical ingredients (API), chemical intermediates, peptides, novel excipients, drug-product intermediates, and drug products.

The candidate will utilize their expertise in physical organic chemistry or materials science as a member of cross-functional teams to tackle scientific challenges related to crystallization, polymorph and salt-selection, drug-excipient compatibility, characterization of amorphous solid dispersions, and physical stability API and drug products. Additional expectations include building a strong network internally and across the external academic and regulatory community. The selected candidate will advance a culture of scientific excellence, a compliance mindset, and collaboration with partners and stakeholders across our company network within Discovery and Process Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Pharmaceutical Sciences and our company Manufacturing Division.

Education Requirements

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Materials Science and Engineering, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Pharmaceutical Sciences or related discipline, with a minimum of (5) years relevant industrial experience.
• PhD in Materials Science and Engineering, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Pharmaceutical Sciences or related discipline.

Experience and Skills

Required

• Expertise in materials science or physical chemistry with experience in materials characterization techniques such as X-ray diffraction, thermal analysis, electron microscopy, vibrational spectroscopy, particle size analysis or powder property characterization.
• Strong academic record including publications in peer reviewed journals and presentations at scientific meetings
• Self‑motivated, creative and energetic scientist willing to continually learn and solve complex problems.
• Strong written and verbal communications

Preferred

• Expertise with at least one of the following:
• Active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) polymorph screening and crystallization.
• Amorphous solid dispersion characterization
• Design and Characterization of Modified release dosage forms
• Integration of digital tools to experimental design and data analysis
• Late-stage product development and regulatory documentation / filing.

Required Skills

Analytical Method Development, Data Analysis, Innovative Thinking, Materials Characterization, Physical Sciences, Strategic Thinking, Technical Writing

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.

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:

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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.

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

1st - Day

Valid Driving License

No

Hazardous Material(s)

N/A