Job Description

The Discovery Pharmaceutical Sciences (DPS) group based in South San Francisco, CA is seeking an Associate Principal Scientist with small molecule and peptide experience.

DPS is a multi-disciplinary research group that provides drug delivery, solid state crystal form characterization, pre-formulation and formulation support and small molecule and biologics developability assessments at the development and drug discovery interface. Our team is responsible for the characterization of pre-clinical drug candidates' physicochemical properties. We aim to work with partner groups to select candidates with optimal development properties while balancing all other key therapeutic properties. Our research also covers identification of preclinical formulations for pharmacology and toxicology studies and ideally for FIH across a variety of administration routes and modalities (small molecules, peptides, proteins, oligonucleotides, and biologics).

In this exciting role, you will focus on the characterization, early formulation studies and developability assessment and delivery approaches for potential small molecule and peptide drug candidates. Goals include a) compound profiling, b) early formulation screening for stability and performance as well as c) development of prototype and concept formulations/drug delivery which would benefit the molecule given its therapeutic area. Research areas include solubilization of small molecules, permeation enhancement, and modification of drug release. In order to profile these compounds and their delivery routes the candidate must develop physical and chemical methods (XRD, TGA, DSC, DVS, HPLC, HP-SEC, DLS, microscopy, etc.). Innovation in small molecule drug delivery will be critical. The successful candidate will have a strong track record of solving deep technical challenges. You will serve as a team member and execute lab experiments yourself with minimal supervision. You will generate these key data sets and convey their meaning to the teams you work on and develop strategies to optimize molecules and their formulations. Within DPS you will have the opportunity to contribute to departmental scientific initiatives.

Finally, you will also closely interact with other key functions required for the progression of clinical candidate selection including Safety Assessment, Process Research, Medicinal Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, and Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics.

The successful candidate should have a track record of industrial small molecule and peptide development activities as well as a demonstrated track record of problem solving (as evidenced by publication, talks, or patents).

Education Requirements

Master's degree required

Required Experience and Skills:

Successful candidates will have a minimum of 4 years of relevant industrial experience.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills are required.
Strong leadership/interpersonal skills and motivation to work in a team environment with cross-functional interactions are essential.
Candidate must have demonstrated work in the small molecule drug delivery.

Preferred Experience and Skills:

Candidates with experience in pre-clinical / clinical formulation development and physico-chemical characterization of small molecule and peptide development are preferred.

Required Skills:

Analytical Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Bioanalysis, Biotechnology, Cell Line Development, Cytometry, Detail-Oriented, Downstream Process Development, Drug Delivery, Drug Delivery Technology, Drug Development, Drug Metabolism, Expression Vectors, Immunoassays, Immunoprecipitation, Interpersonal Relationships, Leading Project Teams, Microscopies, Molecular Biology, Pharmaceutical Formulations, Pharmaceutical Process Development, Physical Characterization, Stable Cell Lines, Strategic Planning, Technical Problem-Solving {+ 1 more}

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.

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U.S. Hybrid Work Model

Effective September 5, 2023, employees in office-based positions in the U.S. will be working a Hybrid work consisting of three total days on-site per week, Monday - Thursday, although the specific days may vary by site or organization, with Friday designated as a remote-working day, unless business critical tasks require an on-site presence.This Hybrid work model does not apply to, and daily in-person attendance is required for, field-based positions; facility-based, manufacturing-based, or research-based positions where the work to be performed is located at a Company site; positions covered by a collective-bargaining agreement (unless the agreement provides for hybrid work); or any other position for which the Company has determined the job requirements cannot be reasonably met working remotely. Please note, this Hybrid work model guidance also does not apply to roles that have been designated as “remote”.

The salary range for this role is

$159,600.00 - $251,200.00

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:

05/4/2026

*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.