Principal Scientist – Multiscale Separations Team Lead

MSD•Rahway, NJ

11d•$156,900 - $247,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Principal Scientist will provide scientific leadership and operational oversight for purification and analytical chromatography capabilities supporting development pipeline programs across multiple modalities, including small molecules, peptides, antibody-drug conjugates, adjuvants, biologics, and other molecular entities. The role requires hands-on expertise in HPLC using multiple retention mechanisms and SFC, plus experience with purification workflows for targeted isolation supporting SAR and structural elucidation, target enrichment for impurity characterization and identification, structure-function characterization, and chiral or achiral separations supporting API control strategies and GMP toxicology deliveries. The position combines laboratory leadership, scientific expertise, capability development, mentoring, and cross-functional collaboration. The Principal Scientist will advance Separation Sciences capabilities through innovative technologies, workflow optimization, new workflows for emerging pipeline opportunities, and partnerships across process chemistry, discovery process chemistry, and adjacent functions. The role serves as a recognized subject matter expert and contributes to project, department, and capability strategies. The position is based in Rahway, New Jersey. The role includes 10% travel, domestic or international relocation, and visa sponsorship is available. The position is regular, and its shift is not indicated.

Requirements

Ph.D. in Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemical Engineering, or a related scientific discipline, with at least 8 years of relevant industrial experience in pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or related drug development and research; or an M.S. in one of these disciplines with 10–12 years of relevant industrial experience in a pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or related drug discovery research environment.
Extensive experience in chromatographic purification and analytical separations supporting drug development programs, including expertise in HPLC, uHPLC, LCMS, SFC, and preparative chromatography technologies.
Working knowledge of orthogonal detection technologies, including PDA, multi-angle light scattering, and charged aerosol detection.
Hands-on experience delivering purification solutions across scales from micrograms to kilograms and translating work from early-stage experimentation through larger-scale execution.
Experience supporting multiple therapeutic modalities, including small molecules, peptides, adjuvants, and other emerging modalities.
Ability to provide scientific leadership, influence technical direction, and deliver results through a laboratory-based scientific capability in chromatography, separation sciences, or analytical chemistry.
Experience implementing new technologies, laboratory informatics platforms, LIMS solutions, automation-enabled purification and digital workflows, instrumentation, and process improvements.
Experience mentoring and developing scientific staff, with strong communication, collaboration, and organizational skills.
Commitment to safety, quality, and operational excellence.
Skills listed: Analytical Method Development, Assay Development, Bioanalytical Analysis, Chromatographic Techniques, Clinical Judgment, Cross-Functional Teamwork, Dosage Forms, Ethical Compliance, Liquid Chromatography (LC), Matrix Management, Mentoring Staff, Method Validation, Personal Initiative, Stability Testing, and Technical Writing.

Nice To Haves

Cross-functional and cross-site scientific leadership, capability deployment, technology transfer, and successful collaboration across purification networks, including internal and external CDMOs, scientific disciplines, and research organizations.
Experience in mass spectrometry and its application in MS-directed chromatographic purification.
Experience partnering with IT, Informatics, Automation, Facilities, Procurement, and external vendors to develop and advance scientific capabilities.
Experience with laboratory capital planning, laboratory build-out, infrastructure strategy, or management of scientific instrumentation portfolios.
Publications, presentations, patents, or other evidence of external scientific engagement and professional visibility.
Pharmaceutical cGMP experience.

Responsibilities

Serve as a subject matter expert and provide scientific leadership for purification and separation sciences supporting the development pipeline.
Lead chromatographic purification, analytical separations, impurity isolation, and related technical work, and guide resolution of complex scientific and operational challenges.
Promote scientific excellence, operational efficiency, safety, and quality in laboratory operations.
Partner with DSCS digital technologies to implement innovative technologies, laboratory informatics platforms, automation-enabled purification workflows, and other digital capabilities.
Establish best practices, drive continuous improvement, and contribute to capability roadmaps aligned with CMC needs.
Partner with the Director of Separation Sciences to identify, recruit, mentor, and develop scientists and laboratory staff.
Foster a collaborative, inclusive, high-performing environment that supports employee development, succession planning, and scientific excellence.
Collaborate with Process Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Analytical Sciences, Automation, Informatics, IT, and other research functions to support project progression and capability development.
Advise project teams and contribute purification and analytical expertise to project strategy and departmental initiatives.
Partner in laboratory operations, instrumentation strategy, capital planning, and implementation of automation and digital solutions.
Work with Facilities, Procurement, Engineering, IT, and external vendors to support reliable laboratory operations, regulatory compliance, and capability advancement.
Monitor emerging technologies and scientific advances in separation sciences and chromatography.
Contribute to the company's scientific reputation through publications, presentations, collaborations, and external engagement.