Senior Scientist, Discovery Process Chemistry (Onsite) Full-time

Chemist Position

Our Company is currently seeking an exceptional chemist to join the Discovery Process Chemistry group located at our South San Francisco, CA site. This role offers the opportunity to join a vibrant group of innovative laboratory scientists with broad impacts across our late discovery and early development portfolios.

Core responsibilities include the development of innovative solutions to complex chemistry problems across a diverse portfolio of projects in the discovery phase, from lead identification through candidate selection. A successful candidate is expected to apply cutting edge methodologies to synthetic route design in order to enable medicinal chemistry research and accelerate the delivery of active pharmaceutical ingredients in support of pre-clinical and clinical studies. Close collaboration is expected with colleagues across the Process and Medicinal Chemistry networks and throughout the Discovery and Preclinical functions.

The candidate must be highly self-motivated, possess strong experimental skills, have excellent written and oral communication abilities, collaborate effectively on multidisciplinary teams and across geographies, and be able to demonstrate flexibility in adapting to change in a fast-paced, dynamic research environment. In addition, the candidate will be expected to remain current with the latest synthetic methodologies, drive innovation, apply new concepts to continuously improve group capabilities, and be active in the external scientific community via publications and external presentations.

Education Minimum Requirement:

• PhD in Organic Chemistry achieved or expected by June 2026 OR current Post-Doctorate in Organic Chemistry

Required Experience and Skills:

• Must have conducted outstanding research in their field of expertise that may be shared during the interview process
• Demonstrated creativity and innovation in problem solving
• Productivity and efficiency working in the lab
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Excellent collaboration skills
• Established scientific reputation supported by publications and external presentations.

Salary range for this role is $128,800.00 – $202,700.00. 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.

Employee Status: Regular

Relocation: Domestic/International

VISA Sponsorship: Yes

Travel Requirements: 10%

Flexible Work Arrangements: Not Applicable

Shift: 1st – Day

Valid Driving License: No

Hazardous Material(s): n/a

Required Skills: Adaptability, Analytical Method Development, Chemical Biology, Chemical Physics, Chemical Proteomics, Chemical Synthesis, Chemometrics, Chromatography, Clinical Chemistry, Communication, Data Analysis, Data-Driven Decision Making, Flow Cytometry, Foster Innovation, Innovation, Interpersonal Communication, Mass Spectrometry Based Proteomics, Medicinal Chemistry, Motivation Management, Multidisciplinary Collaboration, Oral Communications, Organic Chemistry, Process Analytical Technology (PAT), Process Chemistry

Preferred Skills:

Job Posting End Date: 10/7/2025

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