Senior Scientist, Pharmacokinetics

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

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

401(k) plan

Vacation and sick days

Job summary

Merck & Co., Inc. is seeking a Senior Scientist for the Transporter Science Group in West Point, PA.

The role focuses on designing and executing in vitro transporter studies to support ADME and DDI predictions across drug discovery programs. The candidate will contribute to the translation of in vitro data to quantitative predictions, mentor junior scientists, and collaborate across DMPK, Medicinal Chemistry, Biology, Data Science, and Toxicology.

Qualifications

• PhD or equivalent in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmacology, Biochemistry, or Biology with 2–5+ years of relevant experience
• MS or equivalent degree with 8–10+ years of relevant experience

Responsibilities

• Conduct in vitro transporter studies including substrate phenotyping and inhibition assays in relevant cell systems
• Document findings and prepare high-quality reports for regulatory submissions
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to advance transporter science strategies

Skills

ADME

Biology

Cell-Based Assays

Drug Development

Enzyme Kinetics

In Vitro Studies

Education

PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences

MS in Pharmaceutical Sciences

Tools

GraphPad Prism

LC-MS

Job description

Senior Scientist, Transporters Science

Our company is a global health care leader with a diversified portfolio of prescription medicines, vaccines, and animal health products.

The Department of PDMB (Pharmacokinetics, Dynamics, Metabolism, and Bioanalytics) within our company Research Laboratories in West Point, Pennsylvania, is seeking a highly motivated and scientifically accomplished Senior Scientist to join the Transporter Science Group.

The Transporter Science Group serves as a center of excellence for the design, execution, and integration of transporter-related in vitro and preclinical studies supporting our company portfolio across all stages of drug discovery and development. The group also advances ADME-transporter science through the development and application of innovative in vitro and preclinical models, as well as translational strategies that enhance our ability to quantitatively predict the role of transporters in ADME, drug-drug interactions (DDIs), efficacy, and toxicity across a broad range of therapeutic areas and modalities.

The successful candidate will possess a strong understanding of drug transporters and their influence on drug disposition and DDIs, along with a demonstrated commitment to generating high-quality in vitro transporter data in support of project teams across therapeutic areas. This individual should have strong independent bench-level in vitro expertise, the ability to contribute to complex scientific initiatives, and excellent written and verbal communication skills. The ability to collaborate effectively in a highly interactive team environment is essential.

This position offers the opportunity to collaborate with scientists across the DMPK network and with colleagues in Medicinal Chemistry, Biology, Data Science, Clinical Research, and Toxicology to advance discovery and development programs. The successful candidate will also contribute to the evolution of the scientific strategy by developing and implementing novel tools and emerging technologies that improve the translation of in vitro data to quantitatively predict transporter-mediated drug disposition, DDIs, toxicity, and enzyme-transporter interplay.

Education Minimum Requirement

• PhD or equivalent degree in a relevant field such as Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmacology, Biochemistry, or Biology, with 2–5+ years of relevant experience
• MS or equivalent degree in a relevant field such as those listed above, with 8–10+ years of relevant experience

Required Experience and Skills

• Experience conducting in vitro drug transporter studies, including substrate phenotyping and inhibition assays in recombinant cell lines, vesicles, primary hepatocytes, or comparable cell-based systems
• Experience with cell culture, execution of experiments according to established protocols, and design of novel experiments to address challenging scientific questions
• Strong data analysis and interpretation skills, including proficiency with tools such as GraphPad Prism
• Ability to document findings and prepare high-quality reports for regulatory submissions
• In-depth knowledge of drug transporters and their impact on drug disposition and DDIs
• Understanding of fundamental pharmacokinetic principles, enzyme kinetics, and mechanistic DDIs
• Strong written and oral communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively in a team-based environment
• Ability to work independently with appropriate technical and strategic guidance from a scientific supervisor
• Demonstrated ability to take on increasing levels of responsibility and mentor or guide junior scientists

Preferred Experience and Skills

• Experience designing and conducting in vitro transporter kinetic studies, and extrapolating in vitro data to quantitatively predict transporter- mediated drug disposition and DDIs
• Experience applying in vitro data and mechanistic modeling to predict transporter- and enzyme-mediated pharmacokinetics and DDIs
• Working knowledge of ADME science for small molecules, with a strong understanding of drug discovery and development
• Ability to stay current with and critically evaluate ADME- and transporter-related scientific literature and emerging technologies
• Basic understanding of quantitation using radiometric or LC/MS methods

Required Skills

• ADME, Biology, Cell-Based Assays, Drug Development, Drug Formulations, Enzyme Kinetics, In Vitro Studies, Ligand Binding Assay, Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS), Mass Spectrometry Analysis, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacology, Scientific Research

Preferred Skills

• ADME, Biology, Cell-Based Assays, Drug Development, Drug Formulations, Enzyme Kinetics, In Vitro Studies, Ligand Binding Assay, Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS), Mass Spectrometry Analysis, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacology, Scientific Research

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 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.

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The salary range for this role is $117,000.00 - $184,200.00

Our company offers 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.

The successful candidate will be eligible for annual bonus and long-term incentive, if applicable.

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: No Travel Required

Flexible Work Arrangements: Not Applicable

Shift: Not Indicated

Valid Driving License: No

Hazardous Material(s): N/A

Job Posting End Date: 09/7/2026*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.