Principal Scientist, Discovery Process Chemistry (DPC)

Job Description

Our Company is currently seeking an exceptional scientific leader for our Discovery Process Chemistry (DPC) group at our Boston, MA site.

The core responsibility of the successful candidate will be to lead a team of scientists in the development of innovative solutions to complex chemistry problems across a diverse portfolio of projects and modalities in the discovery phase, from lead identification through candidate selection, with the goal to apply these solutions to facilitate medicinal chemistry research by overcoming synthetic bottlenecks, streamlining SAR analogue synthesis, and providing access to novel chemical space. 

The position is also responsible for defining scalable synthetic routes and successfully transitioning candidate compounds from discovery into early development, as well as managing supply of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) at varying scales during this period.  Close collaboration with chemistry colleagues in Medicinal Chemistry and Process Chemistry, as well as a broad array of other discovery and preclinical research groups, will be expected.  As such, subject matter expertise in Medicinal or Process Chemistry is critical.

The candidate must be highly self-motivated, demonstrate strong leadership, possess strong experimental skills, have excellent written and oral communication abilities, collaborate effectively on multidisciplinary teams, and be able to demonstrate flexibility in adapting to change in a fast-paced, dynamic research environment.  In addition to supervising direct scientific reports, the candidate is also expected to provide broader mentorship and expertise across the DPC group.  The candidate will be expected to remain current with the latest synthetic methodologies, drive innovation, actively apply new concepts to continuously improve PR&D capabilities and expertise, and be active in the external scientific community via publications and external presentations.

Position Qualifications

Education Requirement:

• PhD in Organic Chemistry

Required Experience and Skills:

• A minimum of 5 years experience with a proven track record of scientific excellence and successful research
• Expertise in organic synthesis
• Demonstrated creativity and innovation in problem solving
• Productivity and efficiency working in the lab
• Proven track record of successful research in medicinal and/or process chemistry
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Excellent collaboration skills
• Ability to contribute to and lead cross-functional teams and influence team strategy and decision-making
• Established scientific reputation supported by publications and external presentations
• Demonstrated ability to develop talent

Required Skills:

Bioconjugation, Clinical Chemistry, Computational Chemistry, High-Throughput Experimentation (HTE), Inorganic Synthesis, Medicinal Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Organic Synthesis, Organometallic Chemistry, Preclinical Research, Process Chemistry, Scientific Publishing, Structure Based Drug Design, 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.

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

The primary location for this posting is:

USA - Massachusetts - Boston (MA Parcel B Laboratory)

Where required by law, the compensation range for this role is provided below.

The salary range for the primary location of this role is:

$176,200.00 - $277,300.00

This range reflects the Company's reasonable expectation of the base salary applicable to this role at the time of 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.

Additional location(s): Please note the salary range above applies to the Primary Location of the position. Where a role has other listed locations, different compensation guidelines may apply. You may find the salary ranges for additional locations below. If the salary range is not listed for the location you are applying to, our Talent Acquisition team will provide further information to you relevant to your location.

Additional location(s) Compensation Information:

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:

10%

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Not Applicable

Shift:

Not Indicated

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

n/a

Job Posting End Date:

11/28/2026

*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.