Associate Scientist, Environmental & Process Safety Engineering

Job Description

The Environmental & Process Safety Engineering (EPSE) group within the Chemical Engineering Research & Development (CERD) department is seeking highly motivated individuals who are looking for an opportunity to work in a fast-paced job that provides a high degree of technical responsibility. Under scientific and administrative direction, Associate Scientists in this role carry out independent work conceiving, designing, planning, and implementing advanced small scale laboratory studies aimed at characterizing the hazards associated with the materials and process used to produce active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) at all scales, from laboratory to commercial manufacturing. Specific areas include thermal hazard assessment and potential for gas generation by performing experimentation with a variety of calorimeters such as DSC, MMC, SuperCRC and Insight, as well as Bruker IR and GC instrumentation, and then modeling for expected behavior on scale-up. In addition, this individual is required to conduct basic dust testing of organic solids such as MIE, MIT and burning classification.

This position requires expertise in laboratory instruments and techniques, managing the workflow of requests for testing and guidance, organizing collaboration to complete testing, and issuing reports to document results. The Associate Scientist in this role is expected to interpret and apply safety and environmental regulations and make scientific contributions to research programs of major importance to the Research and Manufacturing Divisions. This position is seeking an individual looking to become a deep subject matter expert in EPSE lab instrumentation. Mechanic aptitude and instrument trouble shooting is a must.

A high level of innovation and creativity are necessary to adapt to evolving technologies and tools. Also, a high level of self-initiative, attention to detail, and ownership along with the ability to plan and organize activities are expected. Strong communication and collaboration skills are also critical to success in EPSE/CERD because scientists/engineers are required to communicate regularly, clearly, and with confidence as they discuss technical problems, provide oversight to laboratory, pilot plant and commercial manufacturing operations, and interface with cross-functional colleagues/customers to influence process development and drive a safer process design.

Position Qualifications:

Education Minimum Requirement:  

• The position requires a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry, Chemical/Biochemical Engineering or a comparable area of study from an accredited college/university (with expected completion no later than December 2026)

Required Experience and Skills:

• Strong knowledge and experience with safely handling solvents and chemicals, running experiments, proper disposal of waste, and generating and analyzing data

• Experience with lab instrumentation with good mechanical aptitude

• Good organizational, interpersonal, writing, communication, multi-tasking, and time management skills

• Keen attention to detail and the ability to author clear reports

• The ability to strictly follow established procedures, policies and guidelines required to comply with safety, environmental and GMP expectations in the lab

• Initiative and independence to develop, apply, and/or improve new systems and best practices

Preferred Experience and Skills:   

• Experience with thermal analysis techniques including DSC, MMC and SuperCRC/Insight

• Experience with off-gas analysis instruments including Bruker IR, Mettler headspace FTIR and MicroGC

• Experience with process modeling software such as Dynochem, Aspen, AKTS or other software.

• Experience with evaluating process safety including risks of thermal decomposition, gas generation, static/conductivity, or dust explosivity

• Experience with process scale-up and/or technology transfer, moving from laboratory to pilot plant or manufacturing scale

Required Skills:

Data Analysis, Experimentation, Laboratory Techniques, Technical Writing

Preferred Skills:

Calorimetry, Thermal Analysis

Current Employees apply HERE

Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

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 click here if you need an accommodation during the application or hiring process.

As an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, we provide equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.  As a federal contractor, we comply with all affirmative action requirements for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.  For more information about personal rights under the U.S. Equal Opportunity Employment laws, visit:

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We are proud to be a company that embraces the value of bringing together, talented, and committed people with diverse experiences, perspectives, skills and backgrounds. The fastest way to breakthrough innovation is when people with diverse ideas, broad experiences, backgrounds, and skills come together in an inclusive environment. We encourage our colleagues to respectfully challenge one another’s thinking and approach problems collectively.

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The salary range for this role is

$71,900.00 - $113,200.00

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

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:

1st - Day

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

chemicals

Job Posting End Date:

05/17/2026

*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.