Principal Scientist, Drug Discovery
Merck
August 19, 2026
Remote friendly (Rahway, NJ)
United States
Clinical Research and Development
Purpose of the Role
- Identify new molecular entities and technologies for animal health from internal labs or external partners (human pharma/biotech, academia).
- Advance novel targets by leading research programs from ideation through early research/proof-of-concept into development.
- Interface with researchers, senior management, and external partners in a matrix structure to support work across Medicinal & Process Chemistry, in vitro Pharmacology, Pharmacokinetics, Disease Models, Formulation Development, and Safety & Toxicology.
Education (Required)
- PhD and/or DVM/VMD; Board certification in pharmacology.
Experience (Required)
- 8+ years industry/pharmaceutical research in drug discovery or preclinical research focused on in vivo pharmacology.
- Advanced knowledge of pharmacology, disease mechanisms, and preclinical models.
- Expertise in one: oncology, diabetes, respiratory & immunology, cardiology, pain & inflammation, or reproduction.
- Knowledge of regulatory aspects (GLP, GCP, GMP).
- Manage multiple projects (budgets, contracts, timelines); independently plan and complete research programs.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills; create executive-level presentations/documents.
- Prepare patent applications to support research patent coverage.
- 10% travel.
Preferred Experience
- Board certification in Pharmacology.
- Project management experience.
- Collaborate with outsource providers/vendors/contractors/academia.
- Work with business development to license external technology opportunities.
Required/Preferred Skills
- Required: adaptability, communication, detail-oriented, ethical compliance, in vivo models/pharmacology, leading project teams, persuasion, professional networking, science, social collaboration.
Application Instructions
- Apply via https://jobs.merck.com/us/en (or Workday Jobs Hub for current employees). Application deadline is stated on the posting.
Requisition ID: R363749
- Identify new molecular entities and technologies for animal health from internal labs or external partners (human pharma/biotech, academia).
- Advance novel targets by leading research programs from ideation through early research/proof-of-concept into development.
- Interface with researchers, senior management, and external partners in a matrix structure to support work across Medicinal & Process Chemistry, in vitro Pharmacology, Pharmacokinetics, Disease Models, Formulation Development, and Safety & Toxicology.
Education (Required)
- PhD and/or DVM/VMD; Board certification in pharmacology.
Experience (Required)
- 8+ years industry/pharmaceutical research in drug discovery or preclinical research focused on in vivo pharmacology.
- Advanced knowledge of pharmacology, disease mechanisms, and preclinical models.
- Expertise in one: oncology, diabetes, respiratory & immunology, cardiology, pain & inflammation, or reproduction.
- Knowledge of regulatory aspects (GLP, GCP, GMP).
- Manage multiple projects (budgets, contracts, timelines); independently plan and complete research programs.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills; create executive-level presentations/documents.
- Prepare patent applications to support research patent coverage.
- 10% travel.
Preferred Experience
- Board certification in Pharmacology.
- Project management experience.
- Collaborate with outsource providers/vendors/contractors/academia.
- Work with business development to license external technology opportunities.
Required/Preferred Skills
- Required: adaptability, communication, detail-oriented, ethical compliance, in vivo models/pharmacology, leading project teams, persuasion, professional networking, science, social collaboration.
Application Instructions
- Apply via https://jobs.merck.com/us/en (or Workday Jobs Hub for current employees). Application deadline is stated on the posting.
Requisition ID: R363749