Associate Scientist, Small Molecule Chemical Engineering

Job Description

The Chemical Commercialization Technology (CCT) department, which is part of our Manufacturing Division, is seeking self-motivated individuals who are looking for an opportunity to work in a highly collaborative environment that provides substantial technical responsibility and leadership of internal and external work. 

The Assoc. Scientist, Engineering position leverages scientific/technical experience to develop safe and robust processes through process characterization, tech transfer, validation, filing and supply support.  The incumbent is expected to provide scientific expertise in small molecule active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) process characterization work by learning and utilizing Quality Risk Management methodologies and tools for statistical design of experiments. This role involves hands-on wet chemistry experimentation at the laboratory bench and kilo lab scales in addition to technology transfer to commercial manufacturing facilities.  Approximately 10-20% travel time is expected. The scientist will be expected to exhibit a mindset of safety and quality compliance, which will include following current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMPs), and participating in risk assessments, deviation investigations, and Good Documentation Practices (GDPs). 

Position Qualifications: 

Education Minimum Requirement: 

• The position requires a BS or MS in Chemical Engineering (or related engineering field) from an accredited college/university, by the start date of employment.

Position Requirements / Required Experience and Skills:

• Strong understanding of chemistry and/or chemical engineering fundamental concepts
• Desire to learn and engage in process scale-up and technology transfer, moving from laboratory to pilot plant or factory scale
• Desire to perform both laboratory experimentation and on-site support of scale-up activities and manufacturing operations
• Ability to work in the laboratories at the Rahway, New Jersey site with occasional domestic and international travel, as necessary. This is primarily a laboratory-based roll and onsite presence is required.
• Strong organizational, interpersonal, writing, and time management skills

Preferred Experience and Skills:

• Proven ability to work independently and collaborate effectively as part of a team 
• Experience with process development in a laboratory, pilot-scale, or manufacturing environment
• Experience with developing and executing an experimental program to address issues with process design, robustness, or productivity for an existing product/process
• Familiarity with statistical design and analysis tools
• Familiarity with concepts and application of current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMPs) ideally during pharmaceutical drug substance / drug product development and production, e.g. in a pilot and/or factory setting. #EBRG's #VetJobs #FTP2027

Required Skills:

Chemical Engineering, Data Analysis, Design of Experiments (DOE), Experimental Methods, Experimentation, Good Lab Practices, Maintenance Supervision, Pharmaceutical Process Development, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Process Design, Process Development (PD), Process Engineering, Process Improvements, Process Scale Up, Process Transfers, Product Transfers, Statistical Data Analysis, Technical Writing, Technology Transfer, Wet Chemistry, Writing Technical Documents

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

$71,900.00 - $113,200.00

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:

No relocation

VISA Sponsorship:

No

Travel Requirements:

10%

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Not Applicable

Shift:

1st - Day

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

N/A

Job Posting End Date:

09/30/2026

*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.