Job Description

Our company is seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Research Fellow to join Pharmaceutical Analysis & Digital Technologies (PADT) in Rahway, New Jersey. This is an exciting opportunity to develop next-generation NMR spectroscopy approaches for the structural characterization of biologics and other complex pharmaceutical molecules. The successful candidate will lead publication-oriented research that expands biomolecular NMR beyond conventional biophysical measurements toward detailed, atomistic interpretation of natural-abundance NMR spectra.

Responsibilities:

• Plan and execute independent research in NMR spectroscopy applied to biologics.
• Develop and optimize NMR experiments and spectral analysis strategies for complex biomolecules and pharmaceutical formulations.
• Create automated workflows to detect and interpret distinctive chemical shifts, linewidths, couplings, and other diagnostic spectral features.
• Evaluate structure generation methods and chemical shift prediction approaches, including AI, machine learning, and physics-based models.
• Integrate NMR data with molecular dynamics and iterative structural refinement to characterize biomolecular conformational ensembles.
• Apply developed methods to therapeutic proteins, novel biologic modalities, peptides, adjuvants, and other pharmaceutically relevant systems.
• Collaborate with teams in PADT, Large Molecule Analytical, Pharmaceutical Sciences & Device Development, and Protein Sciences and Biophysics.
• Publish findings in peer-reviewed journals and present research at scientific meetings.

Education:

• Must currently hold a PhD OR
• Receive a Ph.D. no later than spring 2027
• Ph.D. in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemical Engineering, or a related discipline.

Required Experience and Skills:

• Expertise in NMR spectroscopy and interpretation of multidimensional or complex NMR data.
• Strong record of scientific achievement, including peer-reviewed publications or conference presentations.
• Ability to design, execute, analyze, and communicate independent research in a collaborative environment.

Preferred Experience and Skills:

• Experience in biomolecular NMR or structural biology.
• Experience with Python, C/C++, Rust, or other scientific programming languages.
• Knowledge of molecular modeling, machine learning, and generative AI.

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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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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