Senior Scientist, Synthetic Purification (On-site)

MSD • Rahway, NJ

3d • Onsite

About The Position

As a Senior Scientist on the multiscale separations team within Separations Sciences and Analytical Enabling Capabilities, you will help advance the development pipeline in a highly collaborative research environment. The role is primarily responsible for chromatographic isolation of pharmaceutical active ingredients and impurities, from analytical through semi-preparative and preparative scales, across small molecules, peptides, conjugate-based modalities, and emerging modalities.

You will partner with process chemists and analytical scientists to develop efficient, fit-for-purpose chemical isolation methods, establish innovative purification workflows, and deliver high-purity materials to support the development of new medicines and vaccines. The team comprises scientific problem solvers dedicated to developing future medical products.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Synthetic Chemistry, Natural Product Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, or a related field; alternatively, an M.S. with at least 5 years of experience in the biopharmaceutical industry.
• Experience with analytical, semi-preparative, and preparative-scale chromatography, including RPLC, NPLC, and SFC technologies, instrumentation, and workflows.
• Demonstrated experience applying chromatography to chiral and achiral isolation of challenging pharmaceutical mixtures across modalities such as small molecules, peptides, antibody-drug conjugates, and vaccine adjuvants.
• Experience with mass spectrometry and its application in MS-directed chromatographic purification.
• Working knowledge of orthogonal detection technologies, including PDA, multi-angle light scattering, and charged aerosol detection.
• Creative problem-solving in scientific research and development, with a proven track record of translating R&D problem-solving into impactful pipeline deliveries.
• External scientific engagement, which may include publications, industry white paper contributions, or presentations at scientific meetings.
• Excellent scientific writing and verbal communication skills.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in the biopharmaceutical industry as a postdoctoral researcher or intern.

Responsibilities

• Perform chromatographic isolation of pharmaceutical active ingredients and impurities from analytical scale through semi-preparative and preparative scales.
• Work across small molecules, peptides, conjugate-based modalities, and emerging modalities.
• Partner with process chemists and analytical scientists to deploy efficient, fit-for-purpose chemical isolation methods.
• Establish innovative purification workflows and deliver high-purity materials.
• Apply scientific problem-solving to support development pipeline projects.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision healthcare and other insurance benefits for employees and family.
• Retirement benefits, including a 401(k).
• Paid holidays, vacation, compassionate days, and sick days.
• Eligibility for an annual bonus and long-term incentive, if applicable.

What This Job Offers

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