Principal Scientist, Oral Formulation Sciences
Merck
August 21, 2026
On-site
Rahway, NJ
Clinical Research and Development
Primary Responsibilities:
- Lead innovative product development approaches: design experiments, execute plans, analyze data to guide pipeline strategy.
- Mentor technical staff and support execution of pipeline programs.
- Lead due diligence of pipeline assets/drug delivery technologies; represent PSCS on cross-functional teams and recommend to leadership.
- Direct technology development in emerging drug delivery areas; evaluate new technologies and build capabilities to deploy them.
- Collaborate across functions to develop novel drug delivery technologies; serve as SME in drug delivery and/or drug product manufacturing.
- Independently execute formulation and process development using Design of Experiments (DoE); coach others.
- Coordinate with chemistry, analytical, and physical characterization; lead projects at external manufacturing sites.
- Facilitate clinical supply manufacturing/packaging/release, support scale-up (pilot to commercial), and report results.
- Contribute to patents/presentations/publications and maintain awareness of emerging technologies to develop capabilities.
Education (minimum):
- Ph.D. (Chemical/Biomedical/Pharmaceutical Sciences or related) + 8 years; or M.S. + 10 years; or B.S. + 14 years.
Required Experience/Skills:
- Lead formulation development in matrix environments to define robust formulation/manufacturing process.
- Lead complex teams for new molecules/technologies; deep conventional/novel drug product experience; pilot plant experience.
- Technical expert/innovator; broad formulation science and drug development, excipient attributes, and formulation-process interplay.
- Independently design/execute experiments and analyze data; effective cross-background teamwork; strong written/verbal communication.
Preferred:
- Enterprise-level project leadership; strong mentoring; SME in multiple areas; experience addressing manufacturing challenges via novel production tech; apply physical/organic chemistry, physical pharmacy, materials science.
Required skills (high level):
- Design of Experiments (DOE), drug delivery/formulations, external manufacturing, data analysis, matrix management, leadership/mentoring, pilot projects, manufacturing processes/strategies.
Benefits:
- Eligible for annual bonus/long-term incentive (if applicable) and comprehensive benefits (medical/dental/vision, 401(k), paid holidays/vacation, compassionate/sick days).
Application:
- Apply via https://jobs.merck.com/us/en (or Workday Jobs Hub if internal). Application deadline is listed on the posting.
- Lead innovative product development approaches: design experiments, execute plans, analyze data to guide pipeline strategy.
- Mentor technical staff and support execution of pipeline programs.
- Lead due diligence of pipeline assets/drug delivery technologies; represent PSCS on cross-functional teams and recommend to leadership.
- Direct technology development in emerging drug delivery areas; evaluate new technologies and build capabilities to deploy them.
- Collaborate across functions to develop novel drug delivery technologies; serve as SME in drug delivery and/or drug product manufacturing.
- Independently execute formulation and process development using Design of Experiments (DoE); coach others.
- Coordinate with chemistry, analytical, and physical characterization; lead projects at external manufacturing sites.
- Facilitate clinical supply manufacturing/packaging/release, support scale-up (pilot to commercial), and report results.
- Contribute to patents/presentations/publications and maintain awareness of emerging technologies to develop capabilities.
Education (minimum):
- Ph.D. (Chemical/Biomedical/Pharmaceutical Sciences or related) + 8 years; or M.S. + 10 years; or B.S. + 14 years.
Required Experience/Skills:
- Lead formulation development in matrix environments to define robust formulation/manufacturing process.
- Lead complex teams for new molecules/technologies; deep conventional/novel drug product experience; pilot plant experience.
- Technical expert/innovator; broad formulation science and drug development, excipient attributes, and formulation-process interplay.
- Independently design/execute experiments and analyze data; effective cross-background teamwork; strong written/verbal communication.
Preferred:
- Enterprise-level project leadership; strong mentoring; SME in multiple areas; experience addressing manufacturing challenges via novel production tech; apply physical/organic chemistry, physical pharmacy, materials science.
Required skills (high level):
- Design of Experiments (DOE), drug delivery/formulations, external manufacturing, data analysis, matrix management, leadership/mentoring, pilot projects, manufacturing processes/strategies.
Benefits:
- Eligible for annual bonus/long-term incentive (if applicable) and comprehensive benefits (medical/dental/vision, 401(k), paid holidays/vacation, compassionate/sick days).
Application:
- Apply via https://jobs.merck.com/us/en (or Workday Jobs Hub if internal). Application deadline is listed on the posting.