Job Description

We are seeking a highly motivated and creative Postdoctoral Research Fellow to join the Process Chemistry group (located at our Boston, MA site located at our Boston, MA site) and develop next-generation synthetic methods for the preparation and diversification of pharmaceutically relevant aza-heterocycles. The successful candidate will lead an innovative research program focused on new catalytic strategies to rapidly access structurally nitrogen-containing heterocycles, including highly substituted piperidines and pyrrolidines. This research aims to address longstanding challenges in heterocycle synthesis by enabling efficient, modular, and sustainable routes to molecular architectures that are broadly relevant to modern drug discovery. The project combines mechanistic organic chemistry, catalytic method development, and molecular design, with opportunities for external collaboration, high-impact publication, and scientific presentation.

The candidate must be highly self-motivated, possess strong experimental skills, have excellent written and oral communication abilities, collaborate effectively on multidisciplinary teams and across geographies, and be able to demonstrate flexibility in adapting to change in a fast-paced, dynamic research environment.  In addition, the candidate will be expected to remain current with the latest synthetic methodologies, drive innovation, apply new concepts to continuously improve group capabilities, and be active in the external scientific community via publications and external presentations.

We are particularly interested in candidates who are intellectually curious, highly collaborative, scientifically ambitious, and motivated to develop new synthetic strategies that can impact drug discovery. The ideal candidate will bring strong technical expertise in synthetic chemistry along with creativity, independence, and a commitment to scientific communication and collaboration.

Education Requirement:  

• Must currently hold a Ph.D. OR
• Receive a Ph.D. no later than spring 2027

• Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry (highly preferred) or a related field.
  

Required Experience and Skills:  

• Must have conducted outstanding research in their field of expertise that may be shared during the interview process.
• Demonstrated creativity and innovation in problem solving.
• Productivity and efficiency working in the lab.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Excellent collaboration skills.
• Established scientific reputation supported by publications and external presentations.

This fellowship offers a unique opportunity to develop enabling synthetic technologies that expand access to medicinally relevant chemical space while contributing to the next generation of sustainable catalytic methods.

We are a research-driven biopharmaceutical company.
Our mission is built on the simple premise that following the science leads to great medicines that make a significant impact to our world. We believe that a research-driven enterprise dedicated to world-class science can succeed by inventing medicine and vaccine innovations that make a difference for patients across the globe. 

The salary range for this role is: $82,000- $92,000

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.

Required Skills:

Preferred Skills:

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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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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

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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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