Job Description

Principal Scientist in Peptide Formulation (Discovery Pharm Sci)

 

Position Description:

The Discovery Pharmaceutical Sciences (DPS) group based in South San Francisco, CA is seeking a Principal Scientist with expertise in formulation development and candidate selection of peptides.

 

DPS is a multi-disciplinary research group that provides drug delivery, pre-formulation and formulation support for peptides, biologics and,small molecules at the development and drug discovery interface.  Our team is responsible for the characterization of pre-clinical drug candidates' physicochemical properties.  We aim to work with partner groups to select candidates with optimal development properties while balancing all other key therapeutic properties.  Our research also covers identification of preclinical formulations for pharmacology and toxicology studies and ideally for FIH across a variety of administration routes and modalities (biologics, small molecules, peptides, and oligonucleotides).

 

In this exciting role, you will focus on the characterization, early formulation development, developability  assessment and delivery approaches for various peptide modalities.  Goals include a) early formulation screening and developability assessment as well as b) recommendation of single candidate together with partner functions. Innovation in peptide formulation and drug delivery will be critical. You will serve as a team member and execute lab experiments yourself with minimal supervision.  You will generate these key data sets and convey their meaning to the teams you work on and develop strategies to optimize molecules and their formulations.  Within DPS you will have the opportunity to contribute to departmental scientific initiatives as an individual contributor and as a technical lead to mentor junior scientists. You will also closely interact with other key functions required for the progression of clinical candidate selection including Medicinal Chemistry, Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, Nonclinical Drug Safety and Drug Product team.

 

The successful candidate will have expertise in characterizing physicochemical properties of peptide molecules such as oligomer state, fibrillation risk. A demonstrated track record of problem-solving skills and ability to drive innovation (as evidenced by publication, talks, or patents) is highly appreciated.

 

Position Qualifications:

Required Experience and Skills: 

• Successful candidates will have a PhD degree with a minimum of 6 years of relevant industrial experience in developing peptide formulations in preclinical or clinical stages. Excellent verbal and written communication skills are required. Strong leadership/interpersonal skills and motivation to work in a team environment with cross-functional interactions are essential. 

Preferred Experience and Skills: 

• Candidates with experience in pre-clinical /clinical formulation development and physico-chemical characterization of peptides are preferred. Experience in candidate selection, and developability assessment is highly relevant. Additional experience in drug delivery technology is helpful.

 

Required Skills:

Cell Culture Process Development, Cell Line Development, Clinical Development, Combination Products, Drug Delivery, Drug Design, Drug Development, Drug Formulations, Finite Element Analysis (FEA), Messenger RNA, Oligonucleotides, Peptides, Peptide Synthesis, Pharmaceutical Process Development, Pharmacodynamics, Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacology, Product Formulation, Protein Biochemistry, Protein Chemistry, Quality by Design, Scientific Research, Technology Transfer

Preferred Skills:

Current Employees apply HERE

Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

US and Puerto Rico Residents Only:

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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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The salary range for this role is

$176,200.00 - $277,300.00

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:

10/16/2026

*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.