Sr. Scientist, Chemistry

Merck•Rahway, NJ

11h•$117,000 - $184,200•Onsite

About The Position

The Process Chemistry organization located at our Rahway, NJ site is seeking highly motivated and exceptional chemists who are looking for an opportunity to work in a fast-paced environment that provides a high degree of technical responsibility. A successful candidate will be joining a vibrant group of innovative scientists with broad deliverables ranging from the design of clinical supply routes for drug candidates to driving innovative solutions to complex chemistry problems in the discovery phase. As a process team member, this role will focus on the design and development of efficient, scalable manufacturing routes and clinical supply processes for multi‑modality drug substances — including small molecules, macrocyclic peptides, and bioconjugates — supporting preclinical through clinical deliveries in our internal facilities and enabling successful tech transfer. Responsibilities include researching and evaluating chemical routes, optimizing reaction conditions, ensuring reproducibility at scale, and conducting process demonstrations and tech transfers. In addition, the candidate will be expected to stay current with modern synthetic methodologies, drive continuous improvement and innovation within the group, and engage with the external scientific community through publications and presentations. Specific responsibilities will include the following: Act as an expert in the laboratory, executing on program and chemistry strategy. Develop innovative solutions to complex chemistry problems across a different portfolio of projects and modalities. Design and develop efficient processes for clinical campaigns, this involves extensive reaction design and optimization to ensure the scalability and reproducibility of our processes.

Requirements

PhD in Organic Chemistry achieved by June 2027
Ph.D. in chemistry with experience in methodology/catalysis (including chemocatalysis, biocatalysis, and heterogeneous catalysis), total synthesis, physical organic chemistry, or flow chemistry.
Demonstrated record of outstanding research suitable for discussion during the interview process, with strong problem-solving and troubleshooting skills.
Ability to work comfortably within a team of scientists and engineers with different technical and cultural backgrounds.
Strong leadership and interpersonal skills, with exceptional written and oral communication abilities.
Proven track record of solving complex problems.
Highly self-motivated
Possess strong experimental skills
Excellent written and oral communication abilities
Collaborate effectively on multidisciplinary teams
Ability to demonstrate adaptability in a fast-paced, dynamic research environment.

Nice To Haves

Chemical Reactions
Chemistry
Data Analysis
Detail-Oriented
Inorganic Chemistry
Interdisciplinary Collaboration
Laboratory Techniques
Organic Chemistry
Organic Synthesis
Physicochemistry
Process Chemistry
Reaction Mechanisms
Scientific Literacy
Scientific Presentations
Scientific Research
Scientific Writing
Synthetic Chemistry
Technical Writing
Technology Development

Responsibilities

Researching and evaluating chemical routes
Optimizing reaction conditions
Ensuring reproducibility at scale
Conducting process demonstrations and tech transfers
Staying current with modern synthetic methodologies
Driving continuous improvement and innovation within the group
Engaging with the external scientific community through publications and presentations
Act as an expert in the laboratory, executing on program and chemistry strategy
Develop innovative solutions to complex chemistry problems across a different portfolio of projects and modalities
Design and develop efficient processes for clinical campaigns, this involves extensive reaction design and optimization to ensure the scalability and reproducibility of our processes