I applied online. The process took 4 months. I interviewed at Merck (Kenilworth, NJ) in Sep 2018
Interview
After applying online and a first phone interview with the hiring manager, within a week, I was invited for an on-site interview day. The day consisted of multiple (about 7) 1 on 1 interviews and a scientific presentation. I arrived a day ahead for dinner with part of the team and Merck provided stay overnight and transportation. The 1 on 1 interviews with group leaders and high level scientists were interesting and fun, talking mostly about previous experiences and discussing how I would see my contribution to this specific role at Merck. At the end of the day a final talk with the hiring manager, where was said that the hiring process would be finished by the end of next week, so there was clearly a hurry to hire someone. But instead of the promised week it took them 3 months to get back and they didn't respond to request on status updates from my side, even though previous contact had also been directly to the hiring manager. In the meanwhile I took another job offer, so the disappointment was not that big after they finally got back to me. Concluding, the aftermath of the interview was very poorly handled by Merck and that greatly influenced my overall experience with the company.
Interview questions [3]
Question 1
How do you deal with uncertainties/unknowns in your work?
A phone screen with the hiring manager. Then an in-person interview with multiple people from the group. Each individual interview was about 30 minutes. Interviewed with a total of 4 people including the hiring manager.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
What is a difficult situation you had to deal with and how did you handle it?
Initial phone interview with Director followed by another phone interview with hiring manager.
One month later, on site half day long interview with multiple 45 min on on one meetings and a panel interview.