Senior Specialist, Chemistry (Onsite)

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

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) plan

Paid holidays

Vacation

Sick days

Job summary

Merck & Co., Inc. in Rahway, NJ seeks a Senior Specialist in Process Chemistry to advance drug substances including small molecules and bioconjugates. The role focuses on process characterization, DoE studies, and synthesis of starting materials for route scouting, with kilo lab scale up.

The candidate should have significant synthetic chemistry experience, strong analytical skills (HPLC, MS, NMR), and clear documentation. Collaboration in a fast-paced environment is essential.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Chemistry or MS with pharma/biopharma experience or a BS with relevant pharma experience.
• Strong background in organic synthesis, purification, and analytical characterization.
• Ability to communicate effectively in a collaborative, fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Characterize late-stage syntheses to support commercialization using DoE, fate studies, and chemical markers.
• Perform synthesis and characterization of starting materials and intermediates, including kilo lab scale.
• Plan experiments, analyze data, and prepare concise development reports.
• Work with a variety of chemicals using modern lab equipment in a safe, compliant manner.

Skills

Biopharmaceutical Industry

Biopharmaceuticals

Biopharmaceutics

Chemical Synthesis

Cross-Cultural Teams

Data Analysis

Deviation Management

Facility Management

GMP

NMR

Pharmaceutical Biology

Pharmacokinetics

Proton NMR

Sterile Manufacturing

Vaccine Manufacturing

Education

Ph.D. in Chemistry

M.S. in Chemistry with pharma/biopharma experience

B.S. with pharma/biopharma experience

Tools

HPLC

MS

NMR

Job description

Job Description

The Process Chemistry group within the Small Molecule Process Research & Development Department in Rahway, New Jersey is seeking a Senior Specialist to play a key role in advancing our pipeline of drug substances, including small molecules, macrocyclic peptides, and bioconjugates. This lab-based position offers an opportunity to drive Process Characterization of late-stage programs through establishment of proven acceptable ranges, fate and purge studies, and chemical marker preparation. This individual will also synthesize starting materials and intermediates to support route scouting efforts and support kilo lab scale syntheses. The ideal candidate is highly motivated and has substantial synthetic chemistry experience, can perform independent analysis using various analytical characterization methods, and pays close attention to detail to ensure safe lab practices and rigorous documentation of work. A proven record of technical strength, clear written and oral communication, and collaboration and adaptability in a fast-paced, dynamic research environment is essential.

Specific Responsibilities

• Laboratory-based characterization of late-stage syntheses to support commercialization of small molecule manufacturing by performing Design of Experiments, fate and purge studies, and chemical marker preparation
• Laboratory work with a large variety of chemicals, using a set of modern manual and automated laboratory equipment, and leveraging an array of analytical technologies, in a safe, compliant, and rigorously documented manner
• Laboratory-based synthesis and characterization of starting materials and intermediates to support route scouting, including kilo lab scale up of intermediates and APIs
• Non-lab-based work includes experimental planning, data analysis, and writing clear and concise development reports

Education

Minimum Requirement

• Ph.D. degree in Chemistry, an M.S. degree with 6 years of pharma/biopharma experience, or a B.S. with 9 years of pharma/biopharma experience.

Required Experience and Skills

• Training must be in the field of organic synthesis, including synthetic methodology, catalysis, or total synthesis
• Significant experience in chemical synthesis, compound purification, and analytical characterization, including HPLC, MS, and NMR techniques
• Strong written and oral communication skills and the ability to work effectively and with urgency in a collaborative and team environment
• The ability to work independently with minimum supervision of daily tasks
• Productivity and efficiency working in an organic chemistry lab

Required Skills

• Biopharmaceutical Industry
• Biopharmaceuticals
• Biopharmaceutics
• Chemical Synthesis
• Cross-Cultural Teams
• Data Analysis
• Deviation Management
• Facility Management
• Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP)
• Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (NMR)
• Pharmaceutical Biology
• Pharmacokinetics
• Proton Nuclear Magnetic Resonance
• Sterile Manufacturing
• Vaccine Manufacturing

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:

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.

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

Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, Rahway, NJ, USA.

Employee Status: Regular

Relocation: Domestic

VISA Sponsorship: No

Travel Requirements: 10%

Flexible Work Arrangements: Not Applicable

Shift: Not Indicated

Valid Driving License: No

Hazardous Material(s): n/a

Job Posting End Date: 08/21/2026*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.