Senior Scientist - Discovery Pharmaceutical Sciences

Merck•Upper Gwynedd Township, PA

5d•$117,000 - $184,200•Hybrid

About The Position

Join our Discovery Pharmaceutical Science (DPS) team in West Point, PA and play a central role in shaping the next generation of drug candidates. DPS is a cross-functional research organization that delivers drug delivery, solid-state science, pharmaceutical chemistry, and formulation expertise to accelerate Drug Discovery and early Drug Product Development. As a Senior Scientist on our team, you will directly influence the physicochemical design and formulation strategies of preclinical drug candidates across multiple modalities. What you’ll do: Lead physicochemical characterization of potential preclinical candidates, using those insights to guide design and formulation decisions. Identify and develop fit-for-purpose oral and parenteral formulation strategies for preclinical and clinical studies. Plan and execute R&D studies across a variety of administration routes and modalities, including small molecules, peptides, biologics, and vaccines. Generate, analyze, and present high-quality data that informs go/no-go decisions for candidate progression to clinical assessment. Perform studies such as solubility and crystalline-phase analysis, physical and chemical stability testing (including biologics and vaccines), and in vitro evaluation of modified-release dosage forms, as relevant to modality and delivery route. Collaborate closely with cross-functional partners—including Safety Assessment, Process Research, Analytical Chemistry, and DMPK—to support selection and advancement of clinical candidates. Act as an embedded scientific contributor on multidisciplinary discovery teams within infectious disease and neuroscience, helping translate pharmaceutical science principles into actionable program decisions. Your work will directly impact which molecules advance toward clinical testing and how they are formulated for safety, stability, and patient delivery. You’ll join a dynamic team where scientific insight, creativity, and collaboration accelerate real-world drug development.

Requirements

Postdoctoral training or Ph.D. in Chemistry or related field: or
M.S. in one of the above fields plus at least 3 years of industry experience: or
B.S in one of the above fields plus at least 5 years of industry experience
Excellent verbal and written communication skills are required.
Strong leadership/interpersonal skills.
Motivation to work in a team environment with cross functional interactions are essential.
Accountability
Adaptability
Analytical Chemistry
Bioprocessing
Clinical Evaluations
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Cross-Functional Teamwork
Data Analysis
Drug Delivery
Drug Delivery Technology
Drug Development
In Vitro Assays
In Vitro Studies
Medicinal Chemistry
Molecular Biology Techniques
Preformulation
Process Optimization

Responsibilities

Lead physicochemical characterization of potential preclinical candidates, using those insights to guide design and formulation decisions.
Identify and develop fit-for-purpose oral and parenteral formulation strategies for preclinical and clinical studies.
Plan and execute R&D studies across a variety of administration routes and modalities, including small molecules, peptides, biologics, and vaccines.
Generate, analyze, and present high-quality data that informs go/no-go decisions for candidate progression to clinical assessment.
Perform studies such as solubility and crystalline-phase analysis, physical and chemical stability testing (including biologics and vaccines), and in vitro evaluation of modified-release dosage forms, as relevant to modality and delivery route.
Collaborate closely with cross-functional partners—including Safety Assessment, Process Research, Analytical Chemistry, and DMPK—to support selection and advancement of clinical candidates.
Act as an embedded scientific contributor on multidisciplinary discovery teams within infectious disease and neuroscience, helping translate pharmaceutical science principles into actionable program decisions.