Associate Scientist, Postdoctoral Fellow - Data-Rich Experimentation

Merck & Co.•Rahway, NJ

49d•$75,000 - $86,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Data Rich Experimentation - (Synthetic Chemistry and Machine Learning) Be a part of the legacy: Postdoctoral Research Fellow Program Our Research Laboratories' Postdoctoral Research Fellow Program aims to be a best-in-industry program for industrial postdoctoral researchers, designed to provide you with an academic focus in a commercial environment. With the resources, reach, and expertise of a large pharmaceutical company, postdoctoral researchers will be positioned to excel in an institution committed to breakthrough innovation in research and discovery. Position Overview: Join our team and be part of an exciting opportunity to develop groundbreaking catalytic methodologies in the field of drug discovery and development. This full-time position is located within the Data Rich Experimentation group in the Department of Process Research and Development, based in Rahway, New Jersey, USA. Our state-of-the-art laboratory is equipped with world-class facilities, advanced equipment, and a team of experts dedicated to catalysis research. As a member of our team, you will be responsible for applying high-throughput experimentation (HTE) techniques to drive reaction discovery and optimization. You will employ machine learning tools to develop new and diverse ligand collections for the application in asymmetric catalysis—with an emphasis on earth‑abundant metals. You will have the opportunity to author peer-reviewed publications and deliver conference presentations. To thrive in this position, the ideal candidate should possess outstanding organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills. We are searching for an individual with a passion for exploring synthetic methodology development at the interface of data science and asymmetric catalysis for application to pharmaceutically relevant transformations. Join us and be part of a dynamic team where you can make a real impact and contribute to cutting-edge methodology development in an environment that fosters creativity and collaboration.

Requirements

Candidates must currently hold a PhD or receive a PhD chemistry or related field by Spring 2026.
Strong experience in synthetic chemistry
Efficient written and oral communication skills
Strong organizational skills and demonstrated ability to drive project results

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with data science/machine learning tools or an interest in learning these tools
Experience in method development , mechanistic studies , and reaction optimization
Experience in asymmetric catalysis
Experience in earth abundant metal catalysis

Responsibilities

Creatively solve challenging synthetic problems
Drive results independently in a cross-functional, collaborative environment
Communicate synthetic and data science innovations through publications and presentations
Efficiently use data-rich experimentation technologies, data science, and machine learning to accelerate reaction discovery and optimization