Associate Scientist, Chemical Engineering Research & Development (Onsite)

About the role

The Chemical Engineering Research & Development Department (CERD), part of the Small Molecule Process Research and Development organization and our Research & Development Division, is seeking highly motivated individuals who are looking for an opportunity to work in a dynamic job that provides a high degree of technical and project management responsibility.

This position is very hands-on with process development/scale-up work performed in the laboratory, the department's kilo lab and pilot plant, and commercial manufacturing sites.

Under scientific and administrative direction, an engineer in this role designs, plans, and executes experiments related to small molecule and cross-modality (ex: antibody-drug-conjugate) active pharmaceutical ingredient (API, also referred to as drug substance) process development, technology development, and scale-up for production.

The engineer may also perform daily production activities in the pilot plant while ensuring compliance with safety, good manufacturing practice (GMP), and environmental requirements. This work includes executing equipment setups and performing batch processing, as well as participating in troubleshooting and technical investigations.

The engineer in this role may also have the opportunity to introduce new processes to internal or external manufacturing sites as new products are brought to the market. A high level of innovation, creativity, and self-initiative along with the ability to plan and organize activities are expected, along with strong oral and written communication skills.

This role requires approximately 10-15% travel.

Education Requirements

• The position requires a BS or MS in chemical or biochemical engineering from an accredited college/university by June 2027.

Required Skills and Experience

• Experience performing lab-based research/process development in a chemical engineering-related area.
• Familiarity with unit operations commonly used in pharmaceutical and fine chemical synthesis, such reaction engineering, separations, and crystallizations.
• Highly effective communication and collaboration skills.
• Good organizational, interpersonal, writing, and time management skills.

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Experience with process scale-up and/or technology transfer, moving from laboratory to pilot plant or production scale.
• Experience applying statistical experimental design (i.e. Design of Experiments) and/or process modeling.
• Experience with chemical engineering-related technology development.
• Direct experience with pharmaceutical drug substance process development.
• Knowledge of organic chemistry and small molecule synthesis unit operations.
• Knowledge of cross-modality (ex: antibody-drug-conjugate) unit operations.

• #eligibleforERP
• #PRD

Required Skills

Chemical Engineering, Data Analysis, Experimentation, Laboratory Techniques, Organic Chemistry, Perform Testing, Pilot Projects, Process Engineering, Statistical Data Analysis, Technology Transfer

Preferred Skills

• Design of Experiments (DOE), Process Scale Up, Small Molecules
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• The primary location for this posting is: USA - New Jersey - Rahway

Pay and benefits

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

The salary range for the primary location of this role is

$71,900.00 - $113,200.00

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.

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.

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: No

Travel Requirements

• 10%
• Flexible Work Arrangements: Not Applicable
• Shift: Not Indicated
• Valid Driving License: No
• Hazardous Material(s): n/a
• Job Posting End Date: 11/9/2026

Additional information

*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.