Sr. Scientist, Analytical R&D

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

Job summary

Merck in Rahway, NJ, is seeking a Senior Scientist to join the Small Molecule Analytical Research and Development group. You will contribute to analytical method development for drug substances and dosage forms, while supporting regulatory submissions and collaboration across global teams.

The role emphasizes leadership, innovation, and data-driven decision making, with 5–10% travel and a pathway to advance within a world-class pharmaceutical environment.

Qualifications

• PhD in Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Science, or related discipline.
• Master’s Degree in Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or related discipline plus at least 3 years of pharmaceutical industry experience.
• Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences or related discipline, plus at least 7 years of industry experience.
• A proven record of strong technical problem solving and innovative research experience, supported by scientific publications.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Strong leadership, collaboration and interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Drive solutions to analytical development challenges for synthetic small molecule, peptide and oligonucleotide active pharmaceutical ingredients and pharmaceutical products using conventional and novel technologies.
• Design scientific studies to inform the selection and deep understanding of synthetic routes, formulation compositions, and manufacturing processes.
• Implement analytical methods for laboratory development, as well as release and shelf-life assessment of clinical supplies under GMP conditions.
• Provide leadership on drug development pipeline projects and innovative technology teams shaping analytical methods and tools of the future.
• Author regulatory submission documents across the project development lifecycle and respond to agency questions.

Skills

Problem solving

Innovative research

Publications

Communication skills

Leadership

Education

PhD in Chemistry

Master’s in Chemistry

Bachelor’s in Chemistry

Job description

Job Description

The Small Molecule Analytical Research and Development group has an opening for a Senior Scientist based in Rahway, NJ. Join us and experience our culture first-hand - one of strong ethics & integrity, diversified experiences, exceptional science and a resounding passion for improving human health through innovative drug delivery technologies and predictive analytical tools. As part of our global team, you will have the opportunity to collaborate with talented and dedicated colleagues while developing and expanding your career.

In your role as Senior Scientist, you will be part of a team developing innovative analytical methodologies for early to late phase programs with application to drug substance and a broad array of drug product dosage forms, combination products and modalities through analytical characterization, imaging tools, and data analysis. You would also contribute towards regulatory submissions to enable clinical trials.

Your main responsibilities include:

• Driving solutions to analytical development challenges for synthetic small molecule, peptide and oligonucleotide active pharmaceutical ingredients and pharmaceutical products using conventional and novel technologies
• Designing scientific studies to inform the selection and deep understanding of synthetic routes, formulation compositions, and manufacturing processes.
• Implementing analytical methods for laboratory development, as well as release and shelf-life assessment of clinical supplies under good manufacturing practice (GMP) conditions.
• Providing leadership not only on drug development pipeline projects, but also innovative technology teams shaping analytical methods and tools of the future.
• Authoring regulatory submission documents across the project development lifecycle lifecycle, as well as responding to agency questions.
• Documenting work in a detailed and timely manner.
• Collaborating effectively with internal and external partners.
• Presenting results of experiments and innovation efforts to project teams and at various cross-functional forums.
• Engaging in the external scientific community, e.g. through participation in professional organizations, conferences, and publications.
• Travel Requirements: 5-10% Travel

Education Minimum Requirements:

• PhD in Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Science, or related discipline
• Master’s Degree in Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or related discipline plus at least 3 years of pharmaceutical industry experience.
• Batchelor’s Degree in Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences or related discipline, plus at least 7 years of industry experience.

Required Experience and Skills:

• A proven record of strong technical problem solving and innovative research experience, supported by scientific publications.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Strong leadership, collaboration and interpersonal skills.

Preferred Experience and Skills:

While not required, experience in one or more of the following areas is preferred:

• Experience with large molecule characterization (oligonucleotides, enzymes, peptides, etc.)
• Chromatography (e.g. LC, GC) method development, analysis and troubleshooting.
• Other advanced analytical techniques such as mass spectrometry or dissolution.
• Data science

#AR&D

Required Skills:

Adaptability, Analytical Method Development, Assay Development, Bioanalytical Analysis, Biochemical Assays, Cell-Based Assays, Chromatographic Techniques, GMP Environments, Innovative Thinking, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Analysis, Process Analytical Technology (PAT), Strategic Thinking, Technical Writing, Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography (UPLC)

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 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:

EEOC Know Your Rights (https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2022-10/22-088_EEOC_KnowYourRights_10_20.pdf)

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 (https://www.msdprivacy.com/us/en/CCPA-notice/)

The primary location for this posting is:

USA - New Jersey - Rahway

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.

Additional location(s) Compensation Information:

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:

No

Travel Requirements:

10%

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Not Applicable

Shift:

1st - Day

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

N/A

Job Posting End Date:

10/23/2026

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.

Requisition ID: R399523