Job Description
Discovery Pharmaceutical Sciences (DPS) enables drug discovery and drug product development through application of pharmaceutical science and drug delivery research, from target identification through clinical candidate selection for both small and large molecules. We utilize our expertise to characterize novel molecules and develop preclinical formulations to successfully advance quality drug candidate compounds from discovery to development.
DPS in South San Francisco, CA, is seeking a passionate Scientist (R2) with strong academic fundamentals and a drive to develop new medicines to join our team. In this role, the individual will be responsible for supporting the physico-chemical characterization and formulation development of proteins or small molecule drug candidates.
Additional responsibilities are as follows:
Develops and applies basic principles and scientific concepts to execute work in a laboratory environment in compliance with Safety and Environmental requirements.
Proactively identifies and troubleshoots potential issues with procedures, data, or instrumentation (for example UPLC), leading to improvements in scientific understanding.
Executes routine experiments and data interpretation with appropriate technical guidance.
Can understand overall project timelines to manage prioritization of individual contributor deliverables with appropriate supervision.
Builds awareness of relevant new and current technologies to grow as a pharmaceutical scientist.
Education and Experience
B.S. degree with three years’ experience or MS degree in Chemical/ Biochemical/ Biomedical Engineering, Pharmaceutical sciences, Chemistry, Biochemistry, or related disciplines.
Required Experience and Skills
Ability to learn and apply new scientific principles to execute daily responsibilities
Demonstrated ability to collate and conduct basic data analysis
Strong verbal and written communication skills
Strong organizational, logistical, and technical problem-solving abilities
Ability to work in a fast-paced collaborative team environment
Learning and growth mindset; willingness to master new analytical techniques and formulation processes.
Desired Experience and Skills
Prior experience in a laboratory environment
Passion to learn and develop as a pharmaceutical scientist
Candidates with experience in pre-clinical / clinical formulation development and physico-chemical characterization of proteins or solid oral dosage form are preferred.
Candidates with experience in automation and high-throughput testing are preferred
#eligibleforERP
#PRD
Required Skills:
Analytical Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biomedical Engineering, Bioprocess Engineering, Chemical Analysis, Chemical Engineering, Data Analysis, Drug Delivery, Immunochemistry, Laboratory Analytical Techniques, Materials Science, Molecular Biology, Molecular Cloning, Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Pharmaceutical Research
Preferred Skills:
Current Employees apply
Current Contingent Workers apply
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 if you need an accommodation during the application or hiring process.
The salary range for this role is
$108,000.00 - $170,100.00
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 .
You can apply for this role through (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:
10%
Flexible Work Arrangements:
Not Applicable
Shift:
Not Indicated
Valid Driving License:
No
Hazardous Material(s):
n/a
Job Posting End Date:
07/31/2026
*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.
