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MSD

Senior Scientist - Process Chemistry

20h

MSD

Rahway, US · Full-time · $117,000 – $184,200

About this role

The Process Chemistry organization seeks highly motivated chemists for a fast-paced environment with high technical responsibility. Successful candidates design and develop efficient, scalable manufacturing routes and clinical supply processes for multi-modality drug substances, including small molecules, macrocyclic peptides, and bioconjugates. This supports preclinical through clinical deliveries in internal facilities and enables tech transfer.

Day-to-day responsibilities include researching and evaluating chemical routes, optimizing reaction conditions, and ensuring reproducibility at scale. The role involves conducting process demonstrations and tech transfers to support program needs. Extensive reaction design drives scalability for clinical campaigns.

Candidates join multidisciplinary teams in a dynamic research environment at the Rahway site. Collaboration requires strong experimental skills, adaptability, and excellent communication. The role demands high self-motivation and problem-solving across diverse projects.

Opportunities include staying current with modern synthetic methodologies, driving continuous improvement and innovation. Engage the external scientific community through publications and presentations. The position starts in 2026, fostering technical leadership.

Requirements

  • Ph.D. in chemistry with experience in methodology/catalysis (chemocatalysis, biocatalysis, heterogeneous catalysis), total synthesis, physical organic chemistry, or flow chemistry
  • Proven track record of solving complex problems
  • Highly self-motivated with strong experimental skills
  • Excellent written and oral communication abilities
  • Ability to collaborate effectively on multidisciplinary teams
  • Demonstrate adaptability in a fast-paced, dynamic research environment
  • Strong problem-solving and troubleshooting abilities
  • High-level leadership and interpersonal skills

Responsibilities

  • Act as an expert in the laboratory, executing on program and chemistry strategy
  • Develop innovative solutions to complex chemistry problems across a diverse portfolio of projects and modalities
  • Design and develop efficient processes for clinical campaigns, involving extensive reaction design and optimization
  • Research and evaluate chemical routes for multi-modality drug substances
  • Optimize reaction conditions to ensure scalability and reproducibility
  • Conduct process demonstrations and tech transfers to internal facilities
  • Stay current with modern synthetic methodologies including chemocatalysis, biocatalysis, and flow chemistry