Associate Scientist, Post Doc Fellow

MSD • Boston, MA

4d • Onsite

About The Position

We are seeking a highly motivated and creative Postdoctoral Research Fellow to join the Process Chemistry group and develop next-generation synthetic methods for the preparation and diversification of pharmaceutically relevant aza-heterocycles. The successful candidate will lead an innovative research program focused on new catalytic strategies to rapidly access structurally nitrogen-containing heterocycles, including highly substituted piperidines and pyrrolidines. This research aims to address longstanding challenges in heterocycle synthesis by enabling efficient, modular, and sustainable routes to molecular architectures that are broadly relevant to modern drug discovery. The project combines mechanistic organic chemistry, catalytic method development, and molecular design, with opportunities for external collaboration, high-impact publication, and scientific presentation. The candidate must be highly self-motivated, possess strong experimental skills, have excellent written and oral communication abilities, collaborate effectively on multidisciplinary teams and across geographies, and be able to demonstrate flexibility in adapting to change in a fast-paced, dynamic research environment. In addition, the candidate will be expected to remain current with the latest synthetic methodologies, drive innovation, apply new concepts to continuously improve group capabilities, and be active in the external scientific community via publications and external presentations. We are particularly interested in candidates who are intellectually curious, highly collaborative, scientifically ambitious, and motivated to develop new synthetic strategies that can impact drug discovery. The ideal candidate will bring strong technical expertise in synthetic chemistry along with creativity, independence, and a commitment to scientific communication and collaboration. This fellowship offers a unique opportunity to develop enabling synthetic technologies that expand access to medicinally relevant chemical space while contributing to the next generation of sustainable catalytic methods. We are a research-driven biopharmaceutical company. Our mission is built on the simple premise that following the science leads to great medicines that make a significant impact to our world. We believe that a research-driven enterprise dedicated to world-class science can succeed by inventing medicine and vaccine innovations that make a difference for patients across the globe.

Requirements

• Must currently hold a Ph.D. OR Receive a Ph.D. no later than spring 2027
• Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry (highly preferred) or a related field.
• Must have conducted outstanding research in their field of expertise that may be shared during the interview process.
• Demonstrated creativity and innovation in problem solving.
• Productivity and efficiency working in the lab.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Excellent collaboration skills.
• Established scientific reputation supported by publications and external presentations.
• Chemistry
• Data Analysis
• Experimental Methods
• Inorganic Chemistry
• Organic Chemistry
• Scientific Presentations
• Scientific Writing
• Self Motivation
• Synthetic Chemistry

Nice To Haves

• Intellectually curious
• Highly collaborative
• Scientifically ambitious
• Motivated to develop new synthetic strategies that can impact drug discovery
• Strong technical expertise in synthetic chemistry along with creativity, independence, and a commitment to scientific communication and collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Lead an innovative research program focused on new catalytic strategies to rapidly access structurally nitrogen-containing heterocycles, including highly substituted piperidines and pyrrolidines.
• Address longstanding challenges in heterocycle synthesis by enabling efficient, modular, and sustainable routes to molecular architectures that are broadly relevant to modern drug discovery.
• Remain current with the latest synthetic methodologies.
• Drive innovation.
• Apply new concepts to continuously improve group capabilities.
• Be active in the external scientific community via publications and external presentations.

Benefits

• medical, dental, vision healthcare and other insurance benefits (for employee and family)
• retirement benefits, including 401(k)
• paid holidays
• vacation
• compassionate and sick days
• annual bonus
• long-term incentive

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree