Scientist, Chemistry and Materials

MSD Careers • Gaithersburg, MD

2d • Onsite

About The Position

This position is responsible for developing and executing basic and applied research activities in areas that may include electrochemiluminescence, electroactive/conducting materials, light emitting materials, electroanalytical chemistry, polymer chemistry, transition metal organometallic chemistry, photochemistry, and/or photophysics. The incumbent will contribute to new product development in the form of methods, assays, reagents and instrumentation platforms utilized in the life science or clinical fields. This position will collaborate across interdisciplinary teams and may supervise the work of others directly.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Physical Sciences, Chemistry, Materials Science, Physics, Engineering or related fields.
• Master’s degree may be considered with at least 6 years of independent and productive research or development experience in relevant field.
• Minimum of four years laboratory experience with proven hands-on technical abilities.
• Experience in one or more of the following areas is required: conducting materials, electrochemistry, materials science, interfacial chemistry, inorganic chemistry, polymer chemistry, and/or organometallic chemistry.
• Experience in analyzing complex scientific data required.
• Strong scientific fundamentals and experience analyzing complex scientific data.
• Strong understanding of physical science fundamentals in chemistry, materials science, electrochemistry, and physics.
• Strong problem-solving skills and demonstrated ability to organize and move project tasks forward in an orderly and structured fashion.
• Project-level understanding and attention to detail with demonstrated commitment to excellence and performance.
• Demonstrated propensity to be creative, collaborative, proactive, and self-motivated in the execution and completion of assigned tasks.
• Strong analytical skills with the demonstrated ability to gather and evaluate complex data and information and develop a recommendation and plan of action.
• Team player with excellent communication (written and verbal) skills regardless of the format (e.g., documents, public speaking situations, presentations, etc.).
• Excellent organizational, planning, and time management skills with the ability to manage multiple and often changing priorities and issues of varying complexity, while meeting time-sensitive deadlines and deliverables.
• Proven proficiency in Microsoft Office (i.e., Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).

Nice To Haves

• Demonstrated ability to synthesize, manipulate, and characterize conducting, light-emitting materials, and/or polymers, small molecules, and organometallic/inorganic compounds is desirable.
• Some proficiency in coding/programming is desirable (e.g. Excel, Python, MatLab, ImageJ, COMSOL, R).
• Ability to establish accountabilities and expectations and manage performance to achieve results.
• Training and experience with BSL-2 techniques desirable.

Responsibilities

• Executes complex experiments for self and others to support research, feasibility, and product development and/or qualification efforts.
• Performs material and/or compound formulation and/or synthesis, and develops analytical and research tools and methods.
• Handles moisture-sensitive and/or air-sensitive compounds and or materials.
• Prepares experimental procedures, maintains laboratory notebooks and prepares procedures, batch/test records to support product development and research efforts. Keeps organized, detailed and clear project records for self and any direct reports.
• Procures reagents and equipment needed to perform experiments.
• Analyzes data using appropriate software, including statistical analyses, and prepares tables/graphs to highlight findings. May include coding in specific software to enable data analysis (e.g. Python, MATLAB, R, ImageJ, VBA/Excel).
• Maintains instrumentation.
• Presents and communicates findings/analyses and any associated issues/solutions to peer groups, managers, and/or customers; makes recommendations for project advancement.
• Troubleshoots and optimizes experiments; communicates issues and solutions to group and managers.
• Prepares invention disclosures, patent applications, posters, and papers.
• Works in technical teams with input from managers to accomplish project goals, and coordinates work of other team members.
• Stays abreast of current technological developments in area of expertise, expands knowledge through independent learning.
• Performs literature and market research on new research or product areas.
• Works cross-functionally with other departments on projects/products or associated deliverables.
• Takes on extra roles as needed to support the R&D organization, such as training or lab management activities.
• Understands, follows and enforces laboratory safety precautions to ensure compliance with company safety policies.
• Specific duties may vary depending upon departmental requirements.

Benefits

• comprehensive benefits package to support our employees' well-being and financial security
• medical, dental, and vision coverage, along with prescription benefits
• 401(k) plan with company matching
• flexible spending accounts
• company-paid short- and long-term disability insurance as well as group life and accidental death and dismemberment insurance
• paid vacation, paid sick leave, paid holidays, and paid parental leave, along with an employee assistance program
• fitness club membership contribution, pet insurance, identity theft protection, home and auto insurance discounts, and optional supplemental life insurance

What This Job Offers

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