Senior Scientist, Chemistry

MSD•South San Francisco, CA

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

Senior Scientist, Discovery Chemistry Our Company is seeking exceptional chemists for positions within the Discovery Chemistry Department. The successful candidate will join multidisciplinary, highly collaborative discovery teams to invent novel medicines by applying innovative synthetic chemistry, analytical techniques, and data analysis to design and synthesize drug candidates and intermediates. In addition, you’ll have the opportunity to expand your knowledge and skills through collaborations with talented and dedicated colleagues while advancing your career. Specific responsibilities will include the following: Act as an expert in the laboratory, executing on program and chemistry strategy. Develop and utilize innovative synthetic, medicinal chemistry and/or chemical biology problem solving skills coupled with analysis of diverse data sets to build structure-activity relationships. Design, synthesize, purify, and characterize drug candidates and/or chemical probes in target identification and validation, hit-to-lead, and lead optimization programs. Provide scientific mentoring and technical training of team members. Establish a substantial external scientific presence including authoring significant scientific publications and presentations. To accomplish the above, the successful candidate must be a creative and innovative scientist with strong organic synthesis, problem solving, interpersonal, collaboration and communication skills.

Requirements

Extensive experience in organic synthesis with emphasis on methodology/catalysis, total synthesis, and/or physical organic chemistry.
Ability to solve complex problems.
Accountability
Adaptability
Analytical Method Development
Chemical Proteomics
Chemical Synthesis
Chemometrics
Chromatography
Data Analysis
Data-Driven Decision Making
Flow Cytometry
Machine Learning (ML)
Mass Spectrometry Based Proteomics
Motivation Management
Process Analytical Technology (PAT)
Protein Chromatography
Spectroscopy
Synthetic Biology
B.S in chemistry, medicinal chemistry, or related scientific discipline with seven (7) years’ experience, M.S. in related fields with four (4) years’ experience, or a Ph.D. in related fields (received by Summer 2026) with 0-2 years’ experience.

Responsibilities

Act as an expert in the laboratory, executing on program and chemistry strategy.
Develop and utilize innovative synthetic, medicinal chemistry and/or chemical biology problem solving skills coupled with analysis of diverse data sets to build structure-activity relationships.
Design, synthesize, purify, and characterize drug candidates and/or chemical probes in target identification and validation, hit-to-lead, and lead optimization programs.
Provide scientific mentoring and technical training of team members.
Establish a substantial external scientific presence including authoring significant scientific publications and presentations.