Associate Scientist, Postdoctoral Fellow- Computational Peptide Modeling Full-time

Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Modeling & Informatics

Be a part of the legacy: Postdoctoral Research Fellow Program

Our Research Laboratories' Postdoctoral Research Fellow Program aims to be a best-in-industry program for industrial postdoctoral researchers, designed to provide you with an academic focus in a commercial environment. With the resources, reach, and expertise of a large pharmaceutical company, postdoctoral researchers will be positioned to excel in an institution committed to breakthrough innovation in research and discovery.

Position Overview:

We are seeking a Postdoctoral Research Fellow with expertise in computational molecular modeling to join the Modeling and Informatics (M&I) group in Rahway, New Jersey. The successful candidate will work closely with computational and experimental experts to develop cutting-edge computational approaches that further our understanding of peptide therapeutics. Leveraging computational techniques, such as conformational sampling, molecular dynamics simulations, and machine learning, the Postdoctoral Fellow will collaborate with colleagues across Discovery and Process Chemistry to elucidate, influence, and/or design experiments related to peptide dynamics.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Conduct research focused on the computational profiling of peptide dynamics, both independently and in collaboration with an interdisciplinary team of scientists across Discovery Chemistry and Process Chemistry
• Couple molecular modeling and cheminformatics tools to develop novel methods that characterize peptides at a scale relevant for drug discovery
• Independently plan, execute and clearly communicate key aspects of a research program
• Attend and participate in meetings across departments, presenting project progress to various teams
• Author scientific publications and present at conferences

Education Minimum Requirement:

• Ph.D. completed within 6 months of hire in Computational Chemistry / Biochemistry / Biophysics, or a related scientific discipline.

Required Experience and Skills:

• Strong academic background in chemistry, biochemistry, biophysics, informatics, computer science, or applied mathematics
• Ability to independently drive and deliver results, while balancing multiple priorities simultaneously
• Experience running molecular dynamics simulations, preferably with coarse-grained forcefields
• Experience with molecular modeling techniques, such as structural modeling (i.e., small molecules, peptides, proteins) and conformational sampling
• Experience with cheminformatics techniques, such as molecular property predictions, molecular featurization (e.g., RDKit), and/or machine learning (e.g., scikit-learn, PyTorch)
• Expertise in command-line scripting (e.g., bash) and Python-based programming
• Strong oral and written communication skills with a demonstrated publication record

Preferred Experience and Skills:

• Experience with computational modeling of peptides and/or conformational sampling of peptides
• Experience applying machine learning to large chemical datasets for predictive purposes
• Experience with commercial modeling software (e.g., Schrodinger, MOE)
• Familiarity with the fundamentals of NMR techniques and/or experience running NMR experiments
• Familiarity with peptide chemistry, physical chemistry, and thermodynamics

Expected salary range: $75,000.00-$86,000.00

Available benefits include bonus eligibility, health care and other insurance benefits (for employee and family), retirement benefits, paid holidays, vacation, and sick days. For Washington State Jobs, a summary of benefits is listed here.

Required Skills: Analytical Chemistry, Bioinformatics, Biostatistics, Cell Culture Techniques, Computational Biology, Computational Chemistry, Immunoassays, Immunochemistry, Informatics, Machine Learning (ML), Mathematical Biology, Modeling Software, Molecular Biology, Process Chemistry, Programming Languages, Python (Programming Language), siRNA Knockdown, Synthetic Chemistry

Preferred Skills:

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”.

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): N/A

Job Posting End Date: 04/13/2026

*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.