Principal Scientist Jobs in New Jersey
Principal Scientist jobs in New Jersey are among the most active in the country, concentrated in pharmaceutical research, biotechnology, and specialty chemicals, with demand at every level from scientist II through distinguished principal. Most of the hiring is anchored in the Parsippany-Troy Hills, Princeton, and Newark metro areas, where companies like Johnson and Johnson, Merck, and Sanofi have long maintained major research operations. The most in-demand specialties are oncology drug development, analytical chemistry, and computational biology. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Our company is a global health care leader with a diversified portfolio of prescription medicines, vaccines and animal health products. Today, we are building a new kind of healthcare company - one that is ready to help create a healthier future for all of us. Our ability to excel depends on the integrity, knowledge, imagination, skill and teamwork of an individual 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 and expanding your career.
The Senior Director (Sr. Principal Scientist) has primary responsibility for the planning and directing clinical research activities involving new or marketed Oncology medicines. Our Company's Oncology medicines span all phases of clinical development (pre-clinical to post-licensure). The Director will manage the entire cycle of clinical development, including: study design, placement, monitoring, analysis, regulatory reporting, and publication.
Specifically, The Senior Director May Be Responsible For
- Evaluating pre-clinical and translational work for the purpose of generating early clinical development plan and Investigational New Drug applications;
- Developing of clinical development strategies for investigational or marketed Oncology drugs
- Planning clinical trials (design, operational plans, settings) based on these clinical development strategies
- Monitoring and managing the conduct of ongoing or new clinical trials for investigational or marketed Oncology drugs;
- Analyzing and summarizing the clinical findings from studies to support decisions regarding safety and efficacy as well as new drug applications, clinical study reports, or publication; and
- Participation in internal and joint internal/external research project teams relevant to the development of new compounds, and the further study of marketed compounds. In executing these duties, the
- Supervise the activities of Clinical Scientists in the execution of clinical studies
- Work closely with a cross-functional group of experts in commercialization, regulatory affairs, statistics, and manufacturing to manage clinical development projects; and
- Assist the Senior/Executive Director in ensuring that appropriate corporate personnel are informed of the progress of studies of our Company's and competitors' drugs and internal and external expert opinion on scientific questions relevant to his/her areas of responsibility.
- Maintaining awareness of scientific developments within his/her area of expertise, in terms of new scientific findings, research methodologies
- Identification of scientifically and operationally strong investigators who can assist in the development of our Company's investigational and marketed drugs
- Establishing communications with prominent clinical investigators in his/her particular field of interest, particularly those who will be willing and able to assist in the evaluation of our Company drugs
- Attending appropriate scientific meetings to maintain his or her competency and to maintain awareness of research activities in his/her area of responsibility.
- Author detailed development documents, presentations, budgets, and position papers for internal and external audiences
- Facilitating collaborations with external researchers around the world
- Travel on company business about twenty (20) percent of the time to manage future or ongoing clinical research projects.
Education
- M.D or M.D./Ph.D.
- Must have experience in industry or senior faculty in academia
- Minimum of 3 years of clinical medicine experience
- Minimum of 3 year of industry experience in drug development or biomedical research experience in academia
- Demonstrated record of scientific scholarship and achievement
- A proven track record in clinical medicine and background in biomedical research is essential
- Strong interpersonal skills, as well as the ability to function in a team environment are essential.
- Outstanding verbal and written communication and presentation skills
- Board Certified or Eligible in Oncology
- Prior specific experience in clinical research and prior publication
Cancer Research, Clinical Development, Clinical Trials, Cross-Functional Teamwork, Drug Development, Oncology Trials
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:
EEOC Know Your Rights
EEOC GINA Supplement
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.
Learn more about your rights, including under California, Colorado and other US State Acts
The salary range for this role is
$282,200.00 - $444,200.00
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:
25%
Flexible Work Arrangements:
Hybrid
Shift:
Not Indicated
Valid Driving License:
No
Hazardous Material(s):
n/a
Job Posting End Date:
09/10/2026*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.
Requisition ID: R413766
See All 35 Principal Scientist Jobs in New Jersey
Find roles in New Jersey that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Principal Scientist JobsPrincipal Scientist Jobs by City in New Jersey
Where New Jersey roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Principal Scientist Job Market in New Jersey
A snapshot from current New Jersey openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Merck15

- Colgate-Palmolive3

- Bristol Myers Squibb3

- WuXi Biologics2

- BD1

Top Industries Hiring
- Science & Research
- Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals
- Chemicals & Materials
- Banking & Financial Services
- Fintech
What New Jersey Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in principal scientist jobs across New Jersey.
- PhD in life sciences, chemistry, or a related scientific discipline typically required
- Minimum eight to twelve years of relevant research or drug development experience expected
- Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional scientific teams and mentor junior researchers
- Deep expertise in a defined therapeutic area such as oncology, immunology, or rare disease
- Experience driving IND-enabling studies or regulatory submissions preferred by most employers
- Strong publication record or patent portfolio signaling independent scientific contribution
Principal Scientist Jobs in New Jersey: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a principal scientist in New Jersey?
Reaching a principal scientist level in New Jersey typically requires a doctoral degree in a life science, chemistry, or engineering discipline followed by postdoctoral or industry research experience. New Jersey does not require a state-issued license for this role, but positions in pharmaceutical and biotech firms often expect candidates to hold relevant professional certifications and a record of independent research contributions recognized within their specific scientific domain.
Which companies hire principal scientists in New Jersey?
Employers hiring principal scientists in New Jersey right now include Merck, Colgate-Palmolive, and Bristol Myers Squibb, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. New Jersey's dense concentration of pharmaceutical headquarters and contract research organizations means openings are steady across both large global firms and mid-size specialty biotech companies throughout the state.
Which New Jersey cities have the most principal scientist jobs?
The cities with the most principal scientist openings in New Jersey are Rahway, Princeton, and Piscataway. This distribution reflects the corridor of pharmaceutical and biotech campuses stretching from the Parsippany and Morris County area through Princeton, with Newark drawing openings tied to larger corporate headquarters and academic medical partnerships in the northern part of the state.
Are there remote principal scientist jobs in New Jersey?
Yes, but they're relatively limited. About 71% of principal scientist openings tied to New Jersey are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, reflecting the hands-on laboratory and collaborative nature of most roles. The work most likely to be performed remotely involves computational modeling, data analysis, and scientific writing responsibilities rather than bench or experimental work.
How can I get hired as a principal scientist in New Jersey with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is through a postdoctoral research fellowship at a New Jersey-based pharmaceutical company or academic medical center such as Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, which feeds directly into industry roles. Large employers like Merck and Johnson and Johnson run structured postdoctoral and early career scientist programs that place candidates into associate or scientist roles. Building from a scientist I or research scientist title gives you the project ownership needed to advance toward the principal level over time.
Where can I find and apply to principal scientist jobs in New Jersey?
You can find and apply to principal scientist jobs in New Jersey on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from employers actively hiring in the state. Search the listings, find roles that match your background and preferred location, and apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 35 Principal Scientist Jobs in New Jersey
Find roles in New Jersey that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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