Senior Scientist, Biocatalysis

Job Description

The Biocatalysis group within the Small Molecule Process Research & Development Department in Rahway, New Jersey is seeking a Senior Scientist to expand our capabilities to design and deliver world-class biocatalytic solutions that enable the development of medicines. Our group applies and advances biocatalysis and associated core technologies to invent, develop, and implement sustainable synthetic routes across the small molecule pipeline. Our interdisciplinary team integrates biosynthetic logic, mechanistic investigation, data-rich experimentation, molecular biology, biochemistry, bioinformatics, and advanced automation to drive innovation in drug discovery and development. By collaborating across process chemistry, chemical engineering, and analytical chemistry, we are transforming how molecules are made through innovative biocatalytic processes. The ideal candidate has deep expertise in biocatalysis or enzyme engineering, or a related discipline with a demonstrated ability to translate scientific innovations into practical solutions. The group collaborates broadly within our Company, with academic leaders, and with industry partners to expand and accelerate the impact of biocatalysis on human health.

Job Responsibilities:

In this role, the successful candidate will contribute directly to the invention, development, and implementation of novel enzymes, biocatalytic reactions, and synthetic processes to support drug discovery, clinical supply, and commercial manufacturing. As part of multidisciplinary project teams, they will develop novel biocatalytic processes that enable efficient and scalable routes for drug development. The candidate will independently design and execute experiments, define novel approaches to challenging scientific problems, and work in teams to advance the application of biocatalysis for the benefit of the pipeline. They will give scientific presentations internally and externally, contribute to publications and patents, contribute to defining the scientific strategy on programs, and develop new approaches that accelerate research and development while advancing the fields of enzyme engineering and biocatalysis.

 

Education Requirements:

• Ph.D. or Postdoctoral Education in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Bioengineering, Biophysics, Chemical Engineering, Molecular Biology, Synthetic Biology, or a related field; or

• M.S. with at least 4 years of relevant industry experience; or

• B.S. with at least 5 years of relevant industry experience

Required Experience and Skills:

• Demonstrated scientific accomplishments in biocatalysis, enzyme engineering, or a related field as evidenced by field-impacting research publications.

• Deep expertise in biocatalysis, enzyme engineering, or a related field, with demonstrated ability to solve complex chemical or biochemical problems.

• Demonstrated ability to solve complex scientific problems in a collaborative, multidisciplinary team environment.

• Excellent communication and organizational skills.

Preferred Experience and Skills:

• Experience in developing biocatalytic or chemoenzymatic syntheses.

• Experience with multiple strategies to identify and engineer enzymes for biocatalytic use.

• Experience engineering novel biocatalysts, biosynthetic pathways, or de novo proteins.

• Familiarity with directed evolution, next-generation sequencing, computational protein design, machine learning, microfluidics, analytical chemistry, chemical engineering, or laboratory automation.

• Experience with reproducible data analysis, for example, using Python or R.

#PRD

Required Skills:

Analytical Chemistry, Analytical Method Development, Biocatalysis, Biodesign, Chromatography, Conducting Experiments, Drug Development

Preferred Skills:

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

$117,000.00 - $184,200.00

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:

Yes

Travel Requirements:

10%

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Not Applicable

Shift:

Not Indicated

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

N/A

Job Posting End Date:

08/7/2026

*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.