Job Abstract

Job Description

Our Scientists are our Inventors. We deliver robust scientific data and interpretation that drives the commercialization of breakthrough therapeutics using innovative thinking, state-of-the-art facilities and modern equipment. Our ability to excel depends on the integrity, knowledge, imagination, skill, diversity and teamwork of people like you. To this end, we strive to create an environment of mutual respect, encouragement and teamwork. As part of our global team, you’ll have the opportunity to collaborate with talented and dedicated colleagues while developing your career.

The Analytical Research and Development organization in South San Francisco, CA is seeking a motivated Associate Principal Scientist with technical expertise in solution state NMR for a role that primarily involves structure elucidation and investigation of small molecule drugs, peptides, and biologics. The successful candidate is expected to collaboratively work with synthetic, computational and analytical scientists, understand their problem statements, and collaboratively design and provide solutions, establish new NMR methods, and drive strategic innovation in the field of NMR. The candidate should be able to work proactively and independently and influence decisions and solutions spanning a wide diversity of problem statements across our Company Research Laboratories. The role will require the candidate to network across a range of departments and effectively collaborate with stakeholders. The role will additionally require a strong ability to mentor scientists on the NMR team and exemplify positive ways of working which support diversity, inclusion, and a positive culture.

The ideal candidate is expected to be helping drive the field of NMR. This candidate will have an established track record of advancing scientific excellence through external presentations and publications. The role will involve mentorship of NMR colleagues. Additionally, the candidate will have advanced knowledge of analytical experimental design and the ability to provide technical leadership across all major pipeline modalities including small molecules, peptides, antibodies, proteins, ADCs, and vaccines. Finally, this Associate Principal Scientist will be a partner in problem solving providing key leadership and driving collaboration both internally and externally.

Primary job responsibilities:

• Work performed in the NMR group includes structure elucidation, mechanism elucidation, reaction elucidation, analytical method development, physicochemical characterization, and quantitative NMR analysis
• Provide support for discovery research, discovery process chemistry, and analytical development, formulation, identification of process impurities, drug substance and product degradants, and characterization of other unknown molecules
• Meet with department members across functional teams to understand their scientific challenges. Propose and develop collaborative solutions with the NMR Sciences team that are aligned with prioritized focus areas. Help align AR&D strategic efforts to drive prospective impact
• Actively seek out, anticipate and solve diverse scientific, operational, and technical challenges
• Contribute to an evolving strategy across the NMR landscape
• Mentor junior scientists and create technical depth
• Demonstrate curiosity, multitasking, prioritization, and problem-solving skills in the planning, development, and execution of novel solutions to challenges
• Build external reputation individually and for the company

Education:

• Ph.D. (with 5 years),  Master's (with 10 years) or Bachelor's  (with 12 years) in chemistry, biochemistry, biophysics, or equivalent discipline with an emphasis in NMR techniques and experience

Required Experience and Skills:

• Strong knowledge of NMR including application in the pharmaceutical industry, establishing new NMR methods, and prospectively impacting problems related to drug discovery, characterization, and development
• Strong knowledge of organic chemistry, biochemistry or physical chemistry
• Experience performing structure elucidation in a medicinal or process chemistry environment
• Comprehensive knowledge of NMR instrumentation, methodology and software
• Skilled in the use and maintenance of Bruker or JEOL NMR software and hardware including cryoprobes and the application of NMR automation tools
• Technically inclined with the ability to troubleshoot complex instrument problems (e.g., automation, robotic systems, cryogen fills, etc.)
• Evidence of creative application of NMR techniques to problems of pharmaceutical interest
• IT literate with the ability to manipulate data workflows in a networked environment (Windows and Linux OS, macros, scrips, etc.). Experience in scientific programming (Perl, Python) is desirable
• Insatiable curiosity to learn with the end goal of understanding the scientific problem statement and designing programs, software, or solutions to meet the end users’ needs
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills
• Track record of impact in the pharmaceutical industry with relevant examples directed towards pipeline objectives

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Preferred Experience and Skills:

• Familiarity with multiple analytical methods for characterization of chemical matter across all drug modalities including, but not limited to small molecule, biologics, antibodies, proteins, enzymes, vaccines
• Demonstrated leadership and supervisory experience related to training and mentoring junior scientists
• Functional knowledge of computational chemistry or ability to apply molecular modeling methods to help solve NMR problems

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Employees working in roles that the Company determines require routine collaboration with external stakeholders, such as customer-facing commercial, or research-based roles, will be expected to comply not only with Company policy but also with policies established by such external stakeholders (for example, a requirement to be vaccinated against COVID-19 in order to access a facility or meet with stakeholders).  Please understand that, as permitted by applicable law, if you have not been vaccinated against COVID-19 and an essential function of your job is to call on external stakeholders who require vaccination to enter their premises or engage in face-to-face meetings, then your employment may pose an undue burden to business operations, in which case you may not be offered employment, or your employment could be terminated. Please also note that, where permitted by applicable law, the Company reserves the right to require COVID-19 vaccinations for positions, such as in Global Employee Health, where the Company determines in its discretion that the nature of the role presents an increased risk of disease transmission.

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We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability status, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.  For more information about personal rights under the U.S. Equal Opportunity Employment laws, visit:

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Effective September 5, 2023, employees in office-based positions in the U.S. will be working a Hybrid work consisting of three total days on-site per week, generally Tuesday, Wednesday and either Monday or Thursday, although the specific days may vary by site or organization, with Friday designated as a remote-working day, unless business critical tasks require an on-site presence.  This Hybrid work model does not apply to, and daily in-person attendance is required for, field-based positions; facility-based, manufacturing-based, or research-based positions where the work to be performed is located at a Company site; positions covered by a collective-bargaining agreement (unless the agreement provides for hybrid work); or any other position for which the Company has determined the job requirements cannot be reasonably met working remotely. Please note, this Hybrid work model guidance also does not apply to roles that have been designated as “remote”.

Under New York State, Colorado State, Washington State, and California State law, the Company is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the salary range for this job. Final determinations with respect to salary will take into account a number of factors, which may include, but not be limited to the primary work location and the chosen candidate’s relevant skills, experience, and education.

Expected salary range:

Available benefits include bonus eligibility, long term incentive if applicable, health care and other insurance benefits (for employee and family), retirement benefits, paid holidays, vacation, and sick days. A summary of benefits is listed here.

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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. 

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