Research Scientist Jobs in New Jersey

Research Scientist jobs in New Jersey draw from one of the most active life sciences and pharmaceutical markets in the country, with demand concentrated in biotechnology, drug discovery, materials science, and environmental research at every level from entry-level associate to principal scientist. The heaviest hiring is centered in and around Princeton, New Brunswick, and the Parsippany-Morris County corridor, where anchor employers like Johnson and Johnson, Merck, and Bristol Myers Squibb maintain major research operations. The most consistently sought specialties are computational biology, analytical chemistry, and immunology. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

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Overview

Open roles33
Top employerColgate-Palmolive
Top cityPrinceton, NJ
Cities hiring15
Work type55% On-site
Top industryChemicals

Showing 5 of 33+ Research Scientist jobs

Merck
Senior Principal Scientist, Clinical Research, Thoracic Malignancies
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Merck
Added 1d ago
Senior Principal Scientist, Clinical Research, Thoracic Malignancies
Merck
Rahway, New Jersey
Clinical Trials
Healthcare Administration
Medical Specialists
$282k - $444k/yr
10,000+

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ETS
Principal Research Scientist
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ETS
Added 3d ago
Principal Research Scientist
ETS
Princeton, New Jersey
Biotech & Life Sciences
Clinical Trials
Laboratory Research
Research & Academia
Doctoral degree in economics
1,001-5,000

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HTL BIOTECHNOLOGY
Research Scientist F/M
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HTL BIOTECHNOLOGY
Added 3d ago
Research Scientist F/M
HTL BIOTECHNOLOGY
Nutley, New Jersey
Business Operations
Program Management
Project Management
$100k - $130k/yr
Doctoral degree in chemistry

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Thermo Fisher Scientific
FSP Associate Research Scientist: QC Strategy & Analytical Sciences
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Thermo Fisher Scientific
Added 5d ago
FSP Associate Research Scientist: QC Strategy & Analytical Sciences
Thermo Fisher Scientific
New Brunswick, New Jersey
Account Management
Customer Service
Customer Support
$90k - $110k/yr
Bachelor's degree
10,000+

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Keystone Industries
Research and Development Scientist 1
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Keystone Industries
Added 6d ago
Research and Development Scientist 1
Keystone Industries
Gibbstown, New Jersey
Biotech & Life Sciences
Chemistry & Materials Science
Laboratory Research
$60k - $80k/yr
Bachelor's degree in biology
201-500

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See All 33 Research Scientist Jobs in New Jersey

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Research Scientist Jobs by City in New Jersey

Where New Jersey roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Princeton
8 jobs
Piscataway
5 jobs
Rahway
3 jobs
Clark
2 jobs
Ewing
2 jobs
Nutley
2 jobs
Hoboken
2 jobs
Montvale
1 job
Gibbstown
1 job

Research Scientist Job Market in New Jersey

A snapshot from current New Jersey openings, updated as new roles post.

Who's Hiring

Colgate-Palmolive
Colgate-Palmolive4 open roles
Merck
Merck3 open roles
L'Oréal
L'Oréal2 open roles

Top Industries Hiring

  • Chemicals & Materials
  • Science & Research
  • Technology & Software
  • Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals
  • Consulting & Professional Services

What New Jersey Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in research scientist jobs across New Jersey.

  • PhD or master's degree in a relevant scientific field such as biology, chemistry, or materials science
  • Hands-on laboratory experience with techniques specific to the candidate's discipline
  • Proficiency in data analysis tools and statistical software relevant to the research area
  • Demonstrated publication record or contribution to peer-reviewed research projects
  • Ability to design experiments, interpret results, and present findings to cross-functional teams
  • Familiarity with regulatory and compliance standards applicable to New Jersey pharmaceutical or biotech research environments

Research Scientist Jobs in New Jersey: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a research scientist in New Jersey?

Most research scientist roles in New Jersey require at minimum a master's degree, and positions at pharmaceutical and biotech companies almost always expect a PhD in a relevant discipline such as chemistry, biology, neuroscience, or materials science. New Jersey does not issue a state license specifically for research scientists, but candidates targeting the dominant pharma and biotech sectors benefit from relevant laboratory certifications and demonstrated experience with FDA-regulated research environments, which New Jersey employers treat as a functional credential.

Which companies hire research scientists in New Jersey?

Employers hiring research scientists in New Jersey right now include Colgate-Palmolive, Merck, and L'Oréal, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. New Jersey's dense concentration of pharmaceutical headquarters and biotech campuses makes it one of the most consistent states in the country for research scientist hiring volume.

Which New Jersey cities have the most research scientist jobs?

Princeton, Piscataway, and Rahway have the most research scientist openings in New Jersey. Princeton and New Brunswick anchor demand through the state's pharmaceutical headquarters and university research partnerships, while the Morris County area draws volume from the cluster of biotech and specialty chemical firms that have established campuses along the Route 10 and Route 202 corridors.

Are there remote research scientist jobs in New Jersey?

Yes, but they're rare. About 45% of research scientist openings tied to New Jersey are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, which reflects the hands-on laboratory nature of most roles. The positions most likely to offer remote or hybrid arrangements are those focused on computational modeling, bioinformatics, or regulatory writing rather than bench or wet-lab work.

How can I get hired as a research scientist in New Jersey with little or no experience?

The most realistic entry path is through a postdoctoral fellowship or a research associate role, both of which are regularly posted by New Jersey's major pharmaceutical employers and by Rutgers University and Princeton University for candidates coming out of graduate programs. Johnson and Johnson, Merck, and Bristol Myers Squibb each run structured early-career and intern-to-hire programs that serve as a pipeline for candidates without industry experience, and a master's degree paired with strong laboratory technique and at least one published or conference-presented project gives applicants a meaningful edge.

Where can I find and apply to research scientist jobs in New Jersey?

You can find and apply to research scientist jobs in New Jersey on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings across the state updated in real time. Find roles that fit your background and apply directly to the ones that match.

See All 33 Research Scientist Jobs in New Jersey

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