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Merck Pharma Jobs in Raleigh, NC (NOW HIRING)

Merck Pharma information

See Raleigh, NC salary details

$27

$41

$54

How much do merck pharma jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 8, 2026, the average hourly pay for merck pharma in Raleigh, NC is $41.55, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $29.42 and $52.12 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What opportunities for cross-functional collaboration can I expect in a role at Merck Pharma?

At Merck Pharma, employees frequently work in cross-functional teams that bring together professionals from research, regulatory affairs, marketing, and manufacturing. This collaborative environment fosters diverse perspectives and innovation, especially when launching new products or navigating complex regulatory requirements. Team members often participate in regular meetings, project planning sessions, and joint problem-solving initiatives. These interactions provide valuable exposure to different parts of the business and can open pathways to career advancement within the organization.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a pharmaceutical professional at Merck, and why are they important?

To thrive as a pharmaceutical professional at Merck, you need a strong background in life sciences or pharmacy, relevant industry experience, and often an advanced degree such as a PharmD or PhD. Familiarity with pharmaceutical regulations, clinical trial management systems, and data analysis tools is typically required. Excellent communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills help you collaborate across multidisciplinary teams and drive innovation. These competencies are crucial for ensuring regulatory compliance, advancing research, and delivering safe, effective therapies to patients.

What is the difference between Merck Pharma vs Merck Research Scientist?

AspectMerck PharmaMerck Research Scientist
Required CredentialsBachelor's or higher in pharmacy, chemistry, or related fieldsMaster's or PhD in life sciences, chemistry, or related disciplines
Work EnvironmentManufacturing, quality control, regulatory complianceLaboratory research, experimental design, data analysis
Employer & Industry UsagePharmaceutical manufacturing companies, industry settingsResearch institutions, pharmaceutical R&D departments
Common Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding roles within pharma companiesDistinguishing research-focused positions in pharma

Merck Pharma roles typically involve manufacturing, quality control, and regulatory tasks, requiring practical pharmacy or chemistry credentials. In contrast, Merck Research Scientists focus on laboratory research, experimental work, and data analysis, often requiring advanced degrees. Both roles are integral to the pharmaceutical industry but differ in focus, work environment, and required qualifications.

What does Merck Pharma do?

Merck Pharma is a global pharmaceutical and life sciences company that focuses on the research, development, and manufacture of innovative medicines, vaccines, and healthcare products. The company works in areas such as oncology, neurology, immunology, and fertility, providing treatments and therapies for a wide range of diseases and health conditions. Merck Pharma is also involved in advancing scientific research and supporting healthcare professionals worldwide.
What are popular job titles related to Merck Pharma jobs in Raleigh, NC? For Merck Pharma jobs in Raleigh, NC, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Infographic showing various Merck Pharma job openings in Raleigh, NC as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 83% Full Time, 5% Part Time, 9% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 83% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 13% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $86,418 per year, or $41.5 per hour.

Associate Specialist, Quality Control

Merck & Co., Inc.

Durham, NC • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

This job post has expired 1 day ago. Applications are no longer accepted.


Merck rating

8.0

Company rating: 8.0 out of 10

Based on 51 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

43rd of 86 rated pharmaceutical


Job description

Job Description
Our Quality group ensures every single material inside our products is manufactured, processed, tested, packaged, stored and distributed aligned with our incredibly high standards of quality and meets all regulatory requirements. Partnering across our internal manufacturing facilities, external contract manufacturers and suppliers we create an interdependent global manufacturing network committed to deliver a compliant, reliable supply to customers and patients on time, every time, across the globe.
The main function of the Associate Specialist, Quality Control is to assist in the assurance of the quality of product through the performance of microbiological, chemical and analytical sampling and assays as well as interacting with Production, Quality Assurance, Validation and Facilities, and external resources, as necessary to support Manufacturing.
Additional Responsibilities
General
  • Conducts release testing in support of finished product, including sterility testing, detection of residual moisture, average cell dry weight testing
  • Conducts microbiological testing; evaluation of environmental microbiological samples
  • Conducts environmental monitoring sampling to include active air and surface sampling and water sampling
  • Evaluates data, conducts trouble shooting, process improvements, report writing, involvement in interdepartmental committees and projects

Business & Functional Expertise
  • Completes assignments in alignment with department objectives
  • Conducting In-Process and Release testing
  • Conducting Environmental Monitoring of processes and on a routine basis

Problem Solving
  • Identifies and resolves technical and operational problems in collaboration with colleagues and under guidance from department head

Impact Influence
  • Communicates information, asks questions and checks for understanding

Accountability
  • Accountable for own performance

Decision Making
  • Makes decisions - guided by policies and procedures - on the shop floor
  • Consults on an as-needed basis with next-level manager on more complex decisions and/or issues that impact other units with inter-related processes

Shift
1st Shift Days - Weekends Required (Sun-Thu or Tue-Sat)
Education/Experience Requirements
  • Bachelor's degree in Biology, Microbiology, Biochemistry, or related field
  • Minimum 1 year of experience in the pharma or related industry.

Required Experience and Skills
  • Understanding and application of Good Laboratory Practices and cGMPs
  • Aseptic technique
  • Performance of environmental and water systems monitoring
  • Working in a team environment

Preferred Experience and Skills
  • Strong verbal and written communication skills
  • Experience with LIMS, SAP or other laboratory/production software systems

Working Relationships
  • Reports to Quality Control manager
  • Interacts with employees within own department and other departments

VETJOBS #EBRG
Required Skills:
Adaptability, Adaptability, Analytical Instrumentation, Analytical Method Development, Analytical Problem Solving, Bioburden Testing, Biochemistry, Biopharmaceutical Industry, Chemical Analysis, Data Analysis, Environmental Monitoring, Global Manufacturing, Immunochemistry, Karl Fischer Titrations, Laboratory Instrumentation, Laboratory Techniques, Microbiological Test, Microbiology, Microbiology Research, Molecular Microbiology, Quality Assurance (QA), Quality Control Management, Report Writing, Teamwork, Technical Transfer {+ 2 more}
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
$65,100.00 - $102,500.00
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:
No relocation
VISA Sponsorship:
No
Travel Requirements:
10%
Flexible Work Arrangements:
Not Applicable
Shift:
1st - Day
Valid Driving License:
No
Hazardous Material(s):
Yes
Job Posting End Date:
08/5/2026
*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.

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