Sr. Scientist, Chemistry

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

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

401(k) retirement benefits

Job summary

Merck in Rahway, NJ is seeking highly motivated chemists to design and develop efficient, scalable manufacturing routes and clinical supply processes for multi-modality drug substances, spanning small molecules, macrocyclic peptides, and bioconjugates. The role supports preclinical through clinical deliveries and tech transfer.

Responsibilities include researching and evaluating chemical routes, optimizing reaction conditions, and staying current with modern synthetic methodologies, driving

Qualifications

• Demonstrated record of outstanding research suitable for interview discussions.
• Ability to work comfortably within a diverse team of scientists and engineers.
• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills with excellent written and oral communication.
• Proven track record of solving complex problems and adaptability in a fast-paced research environment.

Responsibilities

• Act as an expert in the laboratory, executing on program and chemistry strategy.
• Develop innovative solutions to complex chemistry problems across a portfolio of projects and modalities.
• Design and develop efficient processes for clinical campaigns to ensure scalability and reproducibility of routes.

Skills

Chemical Reactions

Chemistry

Data Analysis

Detail-Oriented

Organic Chemistry

Process Chemistry

Reaction Mechanisms

Scientific Writing

Education

PhD in Organic Chemistry

Tools

Laboratory Techniques

Job description

Job Description

The Process Chemistry organization located at our Rahway, NJ site is seeking highly motivated and exceptional chemists who are looking for an opportunity to work in a fast-paced environment that provides a high degree of technical responsibility. A successful candidate will be joining a vibrant group of innovative scientists with broad deliverables ranging from the design of clinical supply routes for drug candidates to driving innovative solutions to complex chemistry problems in the discovery phase. As a process team member, this role will focus on the design and development of efficient, scalable manufacturing routes and clinical supply processes for multi‑modality drug substances — including small molecules, macrocyclic peptides, and bioconjugates — supporting preclinical through clinical deliveries in our internal facilities and enabling successful tech transfer.

Responsibilities include researching and evaluating chemical routes, optimizing reaction conditions, ensuring reproducibility at scale, and conducting process demonstrations and tech transfers. In addition, the candidate will be expected to stay current with modern synthetic methodologies, drive continuous improvement and innovation within the group, and engage with the external scientific community through publications and presentations.

Specific Responsibilities Will Include The Following:

• Act as an expert in the laboratory, executing on program and chemistry strategy.
• Develop innovative solutions to complex chemistry problems across a different portfolio of projects and modalities.
• Design and develop efficient processes for clinical campaigns, this involves extensive reaction design and optimization to ensure the scalability and reproducibility of our processes.

Education

• PhD in Organic Chemistry achieved by June 2027
• Ph.D. in chemistry with experience in methodology/catalysis (including chemocatalysis, biocatalysis, and heterogeneous catalysis), total synthesis, physical organic chemistry, or flow chemistry.

Requirements

• Demonstrated record of outstanding research suitable for discussion during the interview process, with strong problem‑solving and troubleshooting skills.
• Ability to work comfortably within a team of scientists and engineers with different technical and cultural backgrounds.
• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills, with exceptional written and oral communication abilities.
• Proven track record of solving complex problems.
• Highly self‑motivated
• Possess strong experimental skills
• Excellent written and oral communication abilities
• collaborate effectively on multidisciplinary teams
• Ability to demonstrate adaptability in a fast‑paced, dynamic research environment.

#PRD

Required Skills

Chemical Reactions, Chemistry, Data Analysis, Detail‑Oriented, Inorganic Chemistry, Interdisciplinary Collaboration, Laboratory Techniques, Organic Chemistry, Organic Synthesis, Physicochemistry, Process Chemistry, Reaction Mechanisms, Scientific Literacy, Scientific Presentations, Scientific Research, Scientific Writing, Synthetic Chemistry, Technical Writing, Technology Development

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 Aff… etc. 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

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: Not Indicated

Valid Driving License: No

Hazardous Material(s): N/A

Job Posting End Date: 08/31/2026

• A job posting is effective until 11:59:59PM on the day BEFORE the listed job posting end date.

Requisition ID: R412176

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.