Job Description
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 different 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.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Education:
- Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry or related discipline achieved or expected by June 2027 and relevant research experience in synthetic organic chemistry, including Ph.D. or postdoctoral studies
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
#EligibleforERP
Required Skills:
Chemistry, Collaboration, Innovation, Interpersonal Communication, Medicinal Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Organic Synthesis, Process Chemistry, Self Motivation, Synthetic Biology
Preferred Skills:
Current Employees apply HERE
Current Contingent Workers apply HERE
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 Angeles99 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/International
VISA Sponsorship:
Yes
Travel Requirements:
10%
Flexible Work Arrangements:
Not Applicable
Shift:
1st - Day
Valid Driving License:
No
Hazardous Material(s):
N/A
Job Posting End Date:
08/25/2026
*A job posting is effective until 11:59:59PM on the day BEFOREthe listed job posting end date. Please ensure you apply to a job posting no later than the day BEFORE the job posting end date.