STEM OPT Associate Scientist Jobs
Associate Scientist roles in biotech, pharma, and research labs are a strong fit for STEM OPT students with degrees in biology, chemistry, biochemistry, or related fields. Your 24-month STEM OPT extension applies here, giving you up to 36 months total, provided your employer is enrolled in E-Verify.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
The Process Chemistry organization located at our Rahway, NJ site is seeking a highly motivated and accomplished process chemist to play a key role in advancing our pipeline of drug substances, including small molecules, macrocyclic peptides, and bioconjugates. This position offers an opportunity to provide scientific leadership in the design and development of efficient, scalable, and robust manufacturing processes from discovery through commercialization.
The successful candidate will lead the development of innovative synthetic routes and practical manufacturing processes, drive critical technical and strategic decisions across programs, and influence the advancement of process chemistry capabilities within the organization. Responsibilities include identifying and implementing enabling technologies, solving complex chemistry challenges, leading cross-functional collaborations, supporting technology transfers, and mentoring junior scientists. The candidate will also be expected to contribute to the external scientific community through publications, patents, presentations, and professional engagement.
The ideal candidate will possess deep expertise in synthetic organic chemistry and process development, a proven record of scientific innovation and technical achievement, and the ability to operate effectively in a highly collaborative and dynamic environment.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Provide scientific leadership for the design, development, and optimization of scalable chemical processes across multiple development programs and modalities.
- Lead the resolution of complex chemistry and manufacturing challenges through innovative process design and mechanistic understanding.
- Develop practical, robust, and cost-effective manufacturing routes suitable for clinical and commercial supply.
- Drive process characterization, optimization, scale-up, and technology transfer activities in collaboration with analytical, engineering, manufacturing, quality, and regulatory partners.
- Influence project strategy and key technical decisions through strong scientific insight and data-driven recommendations.
- Identify and implement emerging technologies and modern synthetic methodologies to enhance process efficiency and capability.
- Mentor and develop scientists within the department while fostering a culture of scientific excellence, innovation, and collaboration.
- Represent Process Chemistry on cross-functional teams and effectively communicate technical strategies and project outcomes to senior leadership and external stakeholders.
- Contribute to the scientific community through publications, patents, presentations, and professional service activities.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry or a related discipline.
REQUIRED EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS
- Minimum of 4 years of relevant industrial experience following completion of a Ph.D., with demonstrated success in small molecule process chemistry.
- Proven track record of scientific excellence and significant research accomplishments in synthetic organic chemistry and process development.
- Strong expertise in synthetic organic chemistry, reaction design, and mechanistic understanding.
- Demonstrated creativity, innovation, and scientific rigor in solving complex chemistry challenges.
- Proven ability to develop practical, scalable, and commercially viable chemical processes.
- Strong laboratory productivity, technical execution, and data interpretation skills.
- Demonstrated success in advancing process chemistry programs from early development through late-stage development and/or commercialization.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to effectively communicate technical concepts to scientific and non-scientific audiences.
- Strong collaboration and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively across multidisciplinary teams and global organizations.
- Demonstrated ability to lead and influence cross-functional teams, drive strategy, and shape scientific decision-making.
- Proven record of mentorship, talent development, and technical leadership.
- Demonstrated external scientific impact through publications, patents, presentations, and participation in the broader scientific community.
REQUIRED SKILLS:
- Analytical Chemistry
- Analytical Development
- Chemical Processes
- Chemical Processing
- Chemical Products
- Chemical Synthesis
- Clinical Judgment
- Computational Chemistry
- Data Analysis
- Enzymology
- Evidence Based Decision Making
- Experimental Development
- Lead Optimization
- Molecular Structure
- Multidisciplinary Collaboration
- Organic Chemistry
- Synthetic Chemistry
- Technology Transfer
- US Patent
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
COMPENSATION
- Salary Range: $142,400.00 - $224,100.00
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.
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:
09/7/2026*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: R409477
INTRODUCTION
The Process Chemistry organization located at our Rahway, NJ site is seeking a highly motivated and accomplished process chemist to play a key role in advancing our pipeline of drug substances, including small molecules, macrocyclic peptides, and bioconjugates. This position offers an opportunity to provide scientific leadership in the design and development of efficient, scalable, and robust manufacturing processes from discovery through commercialization.
The successful candidate will lead the development of innovative synthetic routes and practical manufacturing processes, drive critical technical and strategic decisions across programs, and influence the advancement of process chemistry capabilities within the organization. Responsibilities include identifying and implementing enabling technologies, solving complex chemistry challenges, leading cross-functional collaborations, supporting technology transfers, and mentoring junior scientists. The candidate will also be expected to contribute to the external scientific community through publications, patents, presentations, and professional engagement.
The ideal candidate will possess deep expertise in synthetic organic chemistry and process development, a proven record of scientific innovation and technical achievement, and the ability to operate effectively in a highly collaborative and dynamic environment.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Provide scientific leadership for the design, development, and optimization of scalable chemical processes across multiple development programs and modalities.
- Lead the resolution of complex chemistry and manufacturing challenges through innovative process design and mechanistic understanding.
- Develop practical, robust, and cost-effective manufacturing routes suitable for clinical and commercial supply.
- Drive process characterization, optimization, scale-up, and technology transfer activities in collaboration with analytical, engineering, manufacturing, quality, and regulatory partners.
- Influence project strategy and key technical decisions through strong scientific insight and data-driven recommendations.
- Identify and implement emerging technologies and modern synthetic methodologies to enhance process efficiency and capability.
- Mentor and develop scientists within the department while fostering a culture of scientific excellence, innovation, and collaboration.
- Represent Process Chemistry on cross-functional teams and effectively communicate technical strategies and project outcomes to senior leadership and external stakeholders.
- Contribute to the scientific community through publications, patents, presentations, and professional service activities.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry or a related discipline.
REQUIRED EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS
- Minimum of 4 years of relevant industrial experience following completion of a Ph.D., with demonstrated success in small molecule process chemistry.
- Proven track record of scientific excellence and significant research accomplishments in synthetic organic chemistry and process development.
- Strong expertise in synthetic organic chemistry, reaction design, and mechanistic understanding.
- Demonstrated creativity, innovation, and scientific rigor in solving complex chemistry challenges.
- Proven ability to develop practical, scalable, and commercially viable chemical processes.
- Strong laboratory productivity, technical execution, and data interpretation skills.
- Demonstrated success in advancing process chemistry programs from early development through late-stage development and/or commercialization.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to effectively communicate technical concepts to scientific and non-scientific audiences.
- Strong collaboration and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively across multidisciplinary teams and global organizations.
- Demonstrated ability to lead and influence cross-functional teams, drive strategy, and shape scientific decision-making.
- Proven record of mentorship, talent development, and technical leadership.
- Demonstrated external scientific impact through publications, patents, presentations, and participation in the broader scientific community.
REQUIRED SKILLS:
- Analytical Chemistry
- Analytical Development
- Chemical Processes
- Chemical Processing
- Chemical Products
- Chemical Synthesis
- Clinical Judgment
- Computational Chemistry
- Data Analysis
- Enzymology
- Evidence Based Decision Making
- Experimental Development
- Lead Optimization
- Molecular Structure
- Multidisciplinary Collaboration
- Organic Chemistry
- Synthetic Chemistry
- Technology Transfer
- US Patent
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
COMPENSATION
- Salary Range: $142,400.00 - $224,100.00
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.
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:
09/7/2026*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: R409477
See all 172+ STEM OPT Associate Scientist Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new STEM OPT Associate Scientist Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization as an Associate Scientist
Verify your CIP code matches the role
Check that your degree's CIP code appears on the STEM Designated Degree Program List before applying. Associate Scientist postings in life sciences typically require biology, chemistry, or biochemistry credentials, and a mismatched CIP code can invalidate your extension.
Confirm E-Verify enrollment before accepting offers
Search the E-Verify employer database to confirm enrollment before you sign anything. Biotech startups and contract research organizations sometimes lack enrollment, which disqualifies them as STEM OPT sponsors regardless of how well the role fits your degree.
Benchmark your offer against prevailing wage data
Run the job title and work location through the OFLC Wage Search before negotiating. Associate Scientist wages vary significantly by region and lab type, and knowing the DOL wage level helps you evaluate whether an offer meets the threshold required for your I-983 training plan.
Build an I-983 training plan tied to lab competencies
Work with your DSO to draft an I-983 that maps specific lab skills like assay development, data analysis, or cell culture to your STEM degree objectives. Generic training plans raise DSO flags and delay your extension approval, so be concrete about technical tasks from day one.
Target employers with established research pipelines
Use Migrate Mate to filter Associate Scientist openings by employers who regularly hire STEM OPT students and are already enrolled in E-Verify. This cuts out the back-and-forth of confirming eligibility and gets you to the interview stage faster.
File your STEM OPT extension 90 days before OPT ends
Submit your I-765 to USCIS no later than 90 days before your current OPT expires. If USCIS hasn't adjudicated by your end date, your cap-gap protection only applies if you have an H-1B visa petition pending, so timing the filing correctly protects your ability to keep working.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does an Associate Scientist role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Yes, if your degree is in a qualifying STEM field such as biology, chemistry, biochemistry, or a related discipline with a CIP code on the STEM Designated Degree Program List. The role itself must also provide practical training directly related to your degree. Check your I-20 and confirm the CIP code with your DSO before applying.
Does my employer need to be enrolled in E-Verify to hire me on STEM OPT?
Yes. E-Verify enrollment is a hard requirement for STEM OPT employers, not an optional step. You and your employer must both sign the I-983 training plan, and USCIS requires the employer to be actively enrolled in E-Verify at the time you start work. Verify enrollment through the E-Verify employer search before accepting an offer.
What goes into the I-983 training plan for an Associate Scientist position?
The I-983 must describe specific learning objectives tied to your STEM degree, identify the lab skills or research competencies you'll develop, name your on-site supervisor, and outline how the employer will evaluate your progress. For Associate Scientist roles, that typically means detailing techniques like assay development, data interpretation, or experimental design rather than listing general job duties.
How does cap-gap protection work if my STEM OPT expires while my H-1B is pending?
If your employer files an H-1B petition on your behalf before your STEM OPT end date, cap-gap rules allow you to continue working until October 1 of that fiscal year, even if your EAD has expired. USCIS must receive the petition before your authorized period ends, so your employer's filing timeline matters significantly.
Where can I find Associate Scientist jobs where employers are already set up for STEM OPT?
Migrate Mate filters Associate Scientist listings by E-Verify enrollment status, so you're only seeing employers who already meet the baseline STEM OPT requirement. That removes the most common early-stage friction, which is finding out after an interview that a company isn't enrolled, and lets you focus on evaluating the role and training plan fit instead.