Senior Scientist, Chemistry - Onsite

Job Description

Job Description:

We seek a highly motivated and skilled chemist as a Senior Scientist to join our Labeled Compound Synthesis (LCS) group within the Discovery Process Chemistry organization located at our Rahway, NJ site. This role offers the opportunity to join a unique group of innovative laboratory scientists focused on synthesizing isotopically labeled compounds,  essential to support drug discovery and development, and developing novel isotope labeling methodologies to enable and speed up and accelerate drug discovery and development. As a Senior Scientist, you will work on collaborative teams to design and synthesize stable and radioactive isotope-labeled drug candidates and metabolites using modern organic synthesis, analytical methods, and emerging technologies. We seek a motivated chemist who will become a subject-matter expert in isotopically labeled compound synthesis—including GMP synthesis for human ADME studies—and who demonstrates strong practical skills in complex molecule design, laboratory instrumentation, and problem solving. Creativity and adaptability are required to develop new labeling approaches, along with self‑initiative, attention to detail, and project planning skills. Excellent interpersonal ability to share specialist knowledge in multidisciplinary teams is essential. If you are passionate about synthetic organic chemistry and thrive in a dynamic environment, we encourage you to apply.

Education minimum requirement:

• A Ph.D. in Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or a closely related field achieved no later than June 2026.

Or

• M.S. in Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or a closely related field with at least 3 years of industrial/ pharmaceutical experience.

Or

• B.S. in Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or a closely related field with at least 5 years of industrial/pharmaceutical experience

Qualifications:

• Extensive knowledge and experience with modern methods of organic synthetic chemistry.

• Skilled in analytical and purification techniques (including chromatography and crystallization)

• Good organizational, interpersonal, writing, and time management skills.

• Keen attention to detail and ability to author clear reports and review the reports of others.

• Ability to strictly follow established procedures, policies, and guidelines required to comply with safety/radiation safety, environmental, and GMP expectations in the lab.

• Demonstrated ability to develop, apply, and/or improve new workflows and best practices.

• Demonstrated ability to design and conduct experiments, generate and analyze data, properly dispose of waste, and work effectively in a dynamic environment.

 

Preferred Experience and Skills:  

• Experience working with stable and/or radioactive isotopes is desirable but not required.

• Experience with the synthesis of large molecules (peptides, RNAs, ADC-conjugates, etc.) is desirable but not required

• undefined.

  We are a research-driven biopharmaceutical company. Our mission is built on the simple premise that if we “follow the science” that great medicines can make a significant impact to our world. We believe that a research-driven enterprise dedicated to world-class science can succeed by inventing medicine and vaccine innovations that make a difference for patients across the globe. 

Required Skills:

Accountability, Adaptability, Biopharmaceuticals, Chemical Synthesis, Chromatography, Data Analysis, Data-Driven Decision Making, Detail-Oriented, Emerging Technologies, GMP Compliance, Healthcare Innovation, Machine Learning (ML), Motivation Management, Organic Chemistry, Organic Synthesis, Time Management

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.

Learn more about your rights, including under California, Colorado and other US State Acts

The salary range for this role is

$117,000.00 - $184,200.00

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:

Domestic

VISA Sponsorship:

Yes

Travel Requirements:

No Travel Required

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Not Applicable

Shift:

1st - Day

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

Yes

Job Posting End Date:

05/17/2026

*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.