Senior Scientist, Analytical R&D

The Pharmaceutical Analytical Sciences 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 life-cycle, 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.

Applicants must hold one one of:

• 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. 

• 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.

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.

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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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The primary location for this posting is:

Where required by law, the compensation range for this role is provided below.

The salary range for the primary location of this role is:

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.