Assoc Prin. Scientist, Analytical R&D (2nd Shift: Lead) Full-time NEW

Associate Principal Scientist 2nd Shift GMP Supervisor, Pharmaceutical Analytical Sciences

The Pharmaceutical Analytical Sciences group has an exciting opportunity for an Associate Principal Scientist 2nd Shift GMP Supervisor based in Rahway, NJ. Join us and experience our culture firsthand – one of strong ethics & integrity, diversified experiences, exceptional science and a resounding passion for improving human health through innovative drug delivery technologies and predictive analytical tools. As part of our global team, you will have the opportunity to collaborate with talented and dedicated colleagues while developing and expanding your career.

The Associate Principal Scientist will serve as the scientific and operational supervisor for a team of specialists and scientists in Rahway supporting various GMP analytical activities including cleaning verification, method validation, solvent release, and in-process testing for drug substance and drug product across the entirety of our non-sterile clinical portfolio during 2nd shift operations at the Rahway site. The role will also require hands-on analytical lab support to enable the pipeline.

This particular role is fully onsite during 2nd shift operations (3pm – 11:45pm). Your main responsibilities will include:

• Serve as a scientific and operational supervisor for a team of specialists and scientists supporting cleaning verification, solvent release, and in-process testing for drug substance and drug product during 2nd shift operations
• Support execution of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) analytical activities such method validation and release testing
• Document the execution, procedure, results, and conclusions of experiments in a detailed and organized manner following ALCOA+ principles.
• Ensure on time, right first-time analytical testing to enable clinical manufacture of drug substance and drug product
• Provide technical and compliance oversight for lab investigations and deviations and to troubleshoot in the lab as necessary
• Review and approval of GMP data, analytical reports, and SOPs
• Ensure operational excellence and drive process improvements
• Work collaboratively with internal stakeholders and partners such as Global Development Quality and Pharmaceutical Operations.
• Support internal and external compliance audit activities.

Qualifications

Education Minimum Requirements

• BS or MS in chemistry or related science with at least 7 years of industry experience with pharmaceutical drug substance and/or product development.
• Ph.D. in chemistry or related science with at least 3 years of industry experience with pharmaceutical drug substance and/or product development.

Required Experience and Skills

• Excellent scientific communication skills.
• Demonstrated creativity.
• Effective interpersonal and collaborative skills.
• Demonstrated ability to lead teams to deliver high-quality results against firm deadlines.
• Ability to partner in a team environment with cross-functional interactions to drive results.

Preferred Experience and Skills

• Prior experience managing a GMP analytical lab that supports cleaning verification, IPC, and solvent release.
• Prior experience with lab investigations/deviations and compliance audits is a plus.

Required Skills:

Analytical Method Development, Analytical Testing, Cross-Functional Teamwork, GMP Compliance, Manufacturing Operations, Operational Excellence, Science Communication, Team Leadership

Preferred Skills:

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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The salary range for this role is $142,400.00 – $224,100.00

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: Domestic

VISA Sponsorship: No

Travel Requirements: No Travel Required

Flexible Work Arrangements: Not Applicable

Shift: 2nd – Evening

Valid Driving License: No

Hazardous Material(s): N/A

Job Posting End Date: 05/8/2026

*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.