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Senior Scientist, Preclinical Development (Onsite)

MSD


Job Location:

Rahway, NJ - USA

Yearly Salary: USD 117000 - 184200
Posted: 21 October 2026 (17 hours ago)
Application Deadline: 18 January 2027
Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

Job Description

Sterile Product Development (SPD) group is responsible for developing non-oral dosage forms (injections implants inhaled ocular) for biologics mixed modalities vaccines and small molecules from preclinical toxicology studies to commercialization. Our development teams ensure robust composition primary packaging/ device and process selection through deep fundamental understanding and characterization such that the process is scalable without compromising stability safety efficacy and delivery. During development we leverage smart experimental design cutting edge analytical tools and predictive approaches to inform molecule formulation and process summary our team enables the translation of preclinical candidates into non-oral drug products.

Primary Responsibilities

This is a lab based (on-site) role responsible for designing and developing sterile products for biologics (monoclonal antibodies fusion proteins antibody-drug conjugates) drugs for injectable and ophthalmic routes of administration. Support product development of both early and late stage assets while developing mechanistic understanding of the degradation and process design space. Key studies include screening and developing robust drug product composition developing scalable process and defining primary packaging. Coordinate good practice (GXP) manufacture activities and appropriate compatibility characterization to enable processing of drug product and dosage administration in toxicology and clinical study. Build deep fundamental knowledge around the drug product and document experimental findings and conclusions in formulation development reports and regulatory filings. Active participation and leadership on formulation development teams and interfacing and collaborating with key stakeholders to drive project milestones

Take initiative motivated to excel have a strong technical background have excellent communication and interpersonal skills

Education Requirements

Masters with four years or Ph.D. Degree in Chemical/ Biochemical/ Biomedical Engineering Pharmaceutics Pharmaceutical Chemistry Pharmaceutical Sciences Chemistry Biochemistry or related field

Experience and Skills

Experience and/or knowledge in one or more of the following:

Protein Stability

Protein-Protein/Protein-Excipient Interaction

Biologic molecule design

Formulation screening

Characterization

Process development or process modeling

Stability predictive modeling

Basic understanding of sterile product development

Preferred

Course work in biochemistry protein design pharmaceutics physiology pharmacokinetics protein sciences chemical kinetics Transport phenomenon physical pharmacy is highly desirable.

Biologics formulation design/process development alternative processing approachesdefinition of critical attributes for process scale-up analytical development and Chemistry Manufacturing and Control filing for sterile dosage forms including ocular dosage forms peptide therapeutics and non-conventional drug delivery technologies (e.g. emulsions suspensions injectable depot)


#eligibleforERP

#PRD

Required Skills:

Biochemistry Bioconjugation Biologics Biomolecular Chemistry Bioprocessing Clinical Development Clinical Research Cross-Functional Teamwork Design of Experiments (DOE) Drug Delivery Technology Drug Formulations Medicinal Chemistry Molecular Biology Techniques Preclinical Research Process Optimization

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 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 anothers thinking and approach problems collectively.

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The primary location for this posting is:

USA - New Jersey - Rahway

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


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

$117000.00 - $184200.00

This range reflects the Companys reasonable expectation of the base salary applicable to this role at the time of posting. An employees 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 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):

Biohazardous materials

Job Posting End Date:

10/26/2026

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


Required Experience:

Senior IC


About Company

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Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, New Jersey, USA is known as “Merck” in the United States, Canada & Puerto Rico. We are known as “MSD” in Europe, Middle East, Africa, Latin America & Asia Pacific. We are a global biopharmaceutical leader with a diverse portfolio of prescription medicine ... View more

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