TN Visa Principal Scientist Jobs
Principal Scientist roles qualify for TN visa sponsorship under the USMCA's Scientist category, covering research positions in biology, chemistry, and related fields. Canadian professionals can enter at the border with employer documentation; Mexican nationals apply at a U.S. consulate. Roles must require at least a bachelor's degree in a relevant scientific discipline.
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Associate Principal Scientist, Analytical Commercialization Technology
The Analytical Commercialization Technology (ACT) group within Analytical Chemistry in Development and Supply (ACDS) is seeking applicants for an Associate Principal Scientist position available at the Rahway, NJ and West Point, PA sites. The successful candidate will utilize innovative analytical characterization technologies to drive late-stage pharmaceutical drug product development and commercialization. The Associate Principal Scientist position is seeking applicants with deep knowledge and experience in inhalation product development and characterization.
The Associate Principal Scientist responsibilities include, but are not limited to, analytical method development and validation, drug product testing and analytical investigations in a cGMP environment, drug product and manufacturing process characterization, drug product stability studies, specification development, manufacturing process scale-up and validation support, preparation of Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls (CMC) documents for global regulatory submissions, and responses to regulatory questions. The successful candidate must be able to collaborate in a dynamic, integrated, and multidisciplinary team environment.
The ideal candidate will have knowledge and proficiency in the following areas: separation techniques and aerosol science. Prior experience with inhalation product development, analytical testing, and characterization is required. Applicants must have effective organizational skills, multi-tasking, problem solving, and oral and written communications skills.
Education Minimum Requirements:
- PhD in Analytical Chemistry or related discipline with 3+ years of relevant pharmaceutical development experience or MS in Analytical Chemistry or related discipline with 8+ years of relevant pharmaceutical development experience or BS in Analytical Chemistry or related discipline with 10+ years of relevant pharmaceutical development experience
Required Experience and Skills:
- Experience with inhalation product development, characterization and testing including aerodynamic particle size distribution (APSD), delivered dose uniformity (DDU), metered dose uniformity (MDU) and particle size distribution (PSD)
- Strong background and extensive hands-on experience with common analytical techniques such as Ultrahigh/High Performance Liquid Chromatography (UHPLC/HPLC), Gas Chromatography, Ultraviolet (UV) and Infrared (IR) spectroscopy, Karl Fischer titration, and dissolution
- Strong chemistry knowledge
- Demonstrated problem solving ability
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, demonstrated creativity, and strong interpersonal skills
- Ability to work in a team environment with cross-functional interactions
Preferred Experience and Skills:
- Experience with method development and validation
- Familiarity with authoring relevant CMC sections of regulatory submissions
Required Skills:
Analytical Chemistry, Analytical Development, Chemical Synthesis, Computational Chemistry, Dry Powder Inhalers (DPI), Gas Chromatography Analysis, Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS), High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), Inhalers, Karl Fischer Titrations, Lead Optimization, Product Development, Spectrophotometry
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
U.S. Hybrid Work Model
Effective September 5, 2023, employees in office-based positions in the U.S. will be working a Hybrid work consisting of three total days on-site per week, Monday - Thursday, although the specific days may vary by site or organization, with Friday designated as a remote-working day, unless business critical tasks require an on-site presence. This Hybrid work model does not apply to, and daily in-person attendance is required for, field-based positions; facility-based, manufacturing-based, or research-based positions where the work to be performed is located at a Company site; positions covered by a collective-bargaining agreement (unless the agreement provides for hybrid work); or any other position for which the Company has determined the job requirements cannot be reasonably met working remotely. Please note, this Hybrid work model guidance also does not apply to roles that have been designated as “remote”.
The salary range for this role is
$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
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:
1st - Day
Valid Driving License:
No
Hazardous Material(s):
n/a
Job Posting End Date:
05/9/2026
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: R394837
Job Description
Associate Principal Scientist, Analytical Commercialization Technology
The Analytical Commercialization Technology (ACT) group within Analytical Chemistry in Development and Supply (ACDS) is seeking applicants for an Associate Principal Scientist position available at the Rahway, NJ and West Point, PA sites. The successful candidate will utilize innovative analytical characterization technologies to drive late-stage pharmaceutical drug product development and commercialization. The Associate Principal Scientist position is seeking applicants with deep knowledge and experience in inhalation product development and characterization.
The Associate Principal Scientist responsibilities include, but are not limited to, analytical method development and validation, drug product testing and analytical investigations in a cGMP environment, drug product and manufacturing process characterization, drug product stability studies, specification development, manufacturing process scale-up and validation support, preparation of Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls (CMC) documents for global regulatory submissions, and responses to regulatory questions. The successful candidate must be able to collaborate in a dynamic, integrated, and multidisciplinary team environment.
The ideal candidate will have knowledge and proficiency in the following areas: separation techniques and aerosol science. Prior experience with inhalation product development, analytical testing, and characterization is required. Applicants must have effective organizational skills, multi-tasking, problem solving, and oral and written communications skills.
Education Minimum Requirements:
- PhD in Analytical Chemistry or related discipline with 3+ years of relevant pharmaceutical development experience or MS in Analytical Chemistry or related discipline with 8+ years of relevant pharmaceutical development experience or BS in Analytical Chemistry or related discipline with 10+ years of relevant pharmaceutical development experience
Required Experience and Skills:
- Experience with inhalation product development, characterization and testing including aerodynamic particle size distribution (APSD), delivered dose uniformity (DDU), metered dose uniformity (MDU) and particle size distribution (PSD)
- Strong background and extensive hands-on experience with common analytical techniques such as Ultrahigh/High Performance Liquid Chromatography (UHPLC/HPLC), Gas Chromatography, Ultraviolet (UV) and Infrared (IR) spectroscopy, Karl Fischer titration, and dissolution
- Strong chemistry knowledge
- Demonstrated problem solving ability
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, demonstrated creativity, and strong interpersonal skills
- Ability to work in a team environment with cross-functional interactions
Preferred Experience and Skills:
- Experience with method development and validation
- Familiarity with authoring relevant CMC sections of regulatory submissions
Required Skills:
Analytical Chemistry, Analytical Development, Chemical Synthesis, Computational Chemistry, Dry Powder Inhalers (DPI), Gas Chromatography Analysis, Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS), High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), Inhalers, Karl Fischer Titrations, Lead Optimization, Product Development, Spectrophotometry
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
U.S. Hybrid Work Model
Effective September 5, 2023, employees in office-based positions in the U.S. will be working a Hybrid work consisting of three total days on-site per week, Monday - Thursday, although the specific days may vary by site or organization, with Friday designated as a remote-working day, unless business critical tasks require an on-site presence. This Hybrid work model does not apply to, and daily in-person attendance is required for, field-based positions; facility-based, manufacturing-based, or research-based positions where the work to be performed is located at a Company site; positions covered by a collective-bargaining agreement (unless the agreement provides for hybrid work); or any other position for which the Company has determined the job requirements cannot be reasonably met working remotely. Please note, this Hybrid work model guidance also does not apply to roles that have been designated as “remote”.
The salary range for this role is
$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
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:
1st - Day
Valid Driving License:
No
Hazardous Material(s):
n/a
Job Posting End Date:
05/9/2026
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: R394837
See all 291+ Principal Scientist jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Principal Scientist roles.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding TN Visa Sponsorship as a Principal Scientist
Match your credentials to the Scientist category
TN's Scientist category covers specific disciplines: biology, chemistry, astronomy, physics, and related fields. Confirm your degree is in one of these recognized disciplines before applying, since a general 'research' background won't satisfy the category definition.
Target employers with active government contract work
Principal Scientist roles at federal contractors, national laboratories, and pharmaceutical companies are structured around credentialed research functions, making TN qualification documentation straightforward. These employers already understand specialty occupation requirements and generate fewer sponsorship objections.
Search TN-eligible roles at sponsors with visa experience
Use Migrate Mate to filter Principal Scientist openings by employers with recent visa filings. This narrows your search to companies experienced with work visa sponsorship and helps you focus on roles where the employer has demonstrated capability to support visa candidates through their sponsorship history.
Request the support letter before accepting an offer
The TN support letter must describe your specific research duties, required qualifications, and how the role fits the Scientist category. Ask the hiring team to draft this during offer negotiation, not after, so USCIS or CBP adjudication doesn't delay your start date.
Prepare a degree equivalency analysis for interdisciplinary roles
If your doctorate is in a hybrid field like computational biology or environmental chemistry, USCIS may scrutinize whether it maps cleanly to a listed TN discipline. A brief written equivalency analysis tied to your transcripts strengthens the petition and preempts requests for evidence.
Understand the Mexican national consular process differs from Canadian
Mexican nationals must schedule a consular appointment and obtain the TN visa stamp before entering the U.S. to work, unlike Canadians who can present documentation directly at a port of entry. Build four to eight weeks into your start date timeline to account for consulate scheduling.
Principal Scientist jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Principal Scientist JobsPrincipal Scientist TN Visa: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Principal Scientist role qualify for TN visa status?
Yes, if your role falls within a recognized scientific discipline such as biology, chemistry, physics, or a closely related field and requires at least a bachelor's degree in that discipline. The TN Scientist category is specific about qualifying disciplines, so your job duties and degree must both align with the occupational requirements for TN classification, not just a general research function.
How does TN compare to H-1B for Principal Scientist positions?
TN has no annual cap and no lottery for Canadian nationals, so you can start the process as soon as you have a qualifying job offer. H-1B is subject to an annual lottery with limited slots, meaning even a well-qualified candidate may wait years for selection. For Mexican nationals, TN has a separate numerical allocation but still avoids the H-1B lottery entirely.
Where can I find Principal Scientist jobs with confirmed TN visa sponsorship?
Migrate Mate lets you filter Principal Scientist roles by employers with recent visa filings, so you're not guessing which companies have experience supporting work visas. Most standard job searches don't surface sponsorship experience at all, which costs candidates weeks of outreach on roles that won't move forward.
Can I switch employers while on TN status as a Principal Scientist?
Yes, but TN status is employer-specific. You'll need a new TN petition or border crossing documentation tied to your new employer before your start date with them. Canadian nationals can typically handle this at a port of entry; Mexican nationals will need to return to a consulate for a new visa stamp tied to the new employer.
What documentation does my employer need to provide for my TN petition?
Your employer must provide a signed support letter on company letterhead that details your job title, a description of your research duties, the scientific discipline your role falls under, your required qualifications, your anticipated start date, and confirmation that the position is full-time. This letter is the primary adjudication document, so vague or generic language about your research function is one of the most common reasons for TN denials at the border.
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