Sr. Scientist, Chemistry

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

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Long-term incentive

Comprehensive benefits

Job summary

MSD in Rahway, NJ seeks a highly motivated chemist to join the Process Chemistry group. The role focuses on designing and developing scalable manufacturing routes and clinical supply processes for multi-modality drug substances, from preclinical through clinical deliveries.

The successful candidate will research and optimize chemical routes, improve reaction conditions, and demonstrate tech transfers while staying current with modern synthetic methods and publishing findings.

Qualifications

• PhD completed or expected by 2027 with strong research track record.
• Ability to lead complex chemistry projects and communicate results.
• Experience with multi‑modality drug substances and scale‑up.
• Demonstrated collaboration across diverse teams.

Responsibilities

• Act as an expert in the laboratory, executing program strategy.
• Develop innovative solutions across diverse project modalities.
• Design processes for clinical campaigns, ensuring scalable, reproducible routes.

Skills

Chemical Reactions

Organic Chemistry

Process Chemistry

Reaction Mechanisms

Laboratory Techniques

Data Analysis

Scientific Writing

Team Collaboration

Flow Chemistry

Education

PhD in Organic Chemistry

PhD in chemistry with catalysis/methodology/flow chemistry

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.

• 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.

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 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:

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

• 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