Director, Discovery Process Chemistry

Job Description

Director, Discovery Process Chemistry, West Point, PA

Job Description

Throughout the drug discovery lifecycle, sustained investment in innovative chemistry can inspire design and enable the synthesis of the best molecules. In this context, the Discovery Process Chemistry (DPC) group works in partnership with Discovery teams to advance programs into uncharted chemical space and subsequently transition lead compounds into development.

We are seeking a highly motivated individual to function as the Director of the West Point Discovery Process Chemistry team. The successful candidate is responsible for managing a portfolio of preclinical projects and a team of discovery process chemists at our West Point site. This role will be part of the Discovery Process Chemistry leadership team and contribute to key scientific, strategic, and business decisions facing the function.

Key Responsibilities

The Director reports to the Executive Director, Head of Discovery Process Chemistry, Small Molecule Process Research & Development (SM PR&D) in the Development Sciences and Clinical Supply (DSCS) organization of our company's Research Laboratories. This role has direct supervisory responsibility of approximately 7-10 scientists who work closely within multidisciplinary teams comprised of discovery and development scientists. The incumbent will be responsible for the recruiting, appraisal, and development of personnel under their supervision. The Director selects, trains, and effectively recommends transfers, merit increases, promotions, and closures of personnel under their direction within the framework of Company policy.

Critical tasks involve oversight of new route design, synthetic methodology development, and support of API campaigns for discovery and preclinical efforts; transferring appropriate technical information to support the preparation of API across internal sites and in collaboration with external partners. Proactive resourcing planning, risk assessment strategies, drug substance supply/demand, and budget management will be necessary. Ensuring the successful and rapid transition of compounds from discovery research into development by closely interacting with discovery and preclinical colleagues is a core component of the role. The Director will also be a member of the core-team for a discovery review committee responsible for oversight of the discovery portfolio in a therapeutic area, including influence in approval of potential candidates for preclinical development.

The Director establishes, recommends, and maintains external contacts for West Point DPC, where interaction with the local academic community is an expectation of the role.

Qualifications

Education:

• Ph.D. in Chemistry or related biopharmaceutical science is required.

Required Skills and Experience:

• Five or more years’ experience in drug discovery and/or early drug development

• Demonstrated ability in leading cross-functional groups

• Track record and commitment to employee development/retention

• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and collaboration skills

• An understanding of the interplay between medicinal chemistry SAR, molecule physical properties, and preclinical safety assessment workflows will be critical

• Subject matter expertise in Discovery Process Chemistry, Process Chemistry, or Medicinal Chemistry, especially regarding early clinical development is expected

• Strength in delivering results on firm deadlines

• Demonstrated ability in selection and prioritization of a portfolio of projects

• Internationally recognized in pharmaceutical development area with a track record of peer-reviewed publications and external research presentations

Required Skills:

Bioanalytical Analysis, Catalysis (Inactive), Chemical Biology, Creativity, Cross-Cultural Awareness, Data Analysis, Medicinal Chemistry, Mentoring Staff, People Leadership, Peptide Chemistry, Process Chemistry, Professional Networking, Project Leadership, Strategic Thinking, Synthetic Chemistry

Preferred Skills:

Current Employees apply HERE

Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

US and Puerto Rico Residents Only:

Our company is committed to inclusion, ensuring that candidates can engage in a hiring process that exhibits their true capabilities. Please click here if you need an accommodation during the application or hiring process.

As an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, we provide equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.  As a federal contractor, we comply with all affirmative action requirements for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.  For more information about personal rights under the U.S. Equal Opportunity Employment laws, visit:

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We are proud to be a company that embraces the value of bringing together, talented, and committed people with diverse experiences, perspectives, skills and backgrounds. The fastest way to breakthrough innovation is when people with diverse ideas, broad experiences, backgrounds, and skills come together in an inclusive environment. We encourage our colleagues to respectfully challenge one another’s thinking and approach problems collectively.

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The salary range for this role is

$173,200.00 - $272,600.00

This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. An employee’s position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, geographic location, government requirements, and business or organizational needs.

The successful candidate will be eligible for annual bonus and long-term incentive, if applicable.

We offer a comprehensive package of benefits.  Available benefits include medical, dental, vision healthcare and other insurance benefits (for employee and family), retirement benefits, including 401(k), paid holidays, vacation, and compassionate and sick days. More information about benefits is available at https://jobs.merck.com/us/en/compensation-and-benefits.

You can apply for this role through https://jobs.merck.com/us/en (or via the Workday Jobs Hub if you are a current employee). The application deadline for this position is stated on this posting.

San Francisco Residents Only: We will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records for employment in compliance with the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance

Los Angeles Residents Only: We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance

Search Firm Representatives Please Read Carefully 
Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, Rahway, NJ, USA, does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. All CVs / resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at our company without a valid written search agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of our company.  No fee will be paid in the event a candidate is hired by our company as a result of an agency referral where no pre-existing agreement is in place. Where agency agreements are in place, introductions are position specific. Please, no phone calls or emails. 

Employee Status:

Regular

Relocation:

VISA Sponsorship:

Travel Requirements:

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Not Applicable

Shift:

Valid Driving License:

Hazardous Material(s):

Job Posting End Date:

06/27/2026

*A job posting is effective until 11:59:59PM on the day BEFORE the listed job posting end date. Please ensure you apply to a job posting no later than the day BEFORE the job posting end date.