Senior Scientist, Biocatalysis Full-time

Senior Scientist Biocatalysis

The Biocatalysis group within the Small Molecule Process Research & Development Department in Rahway, New Jersey is seeking a Senior Scientist to expand our capabilities to design and deliver world-class biocatalytic solutions that enable the development of medicines. Our group applies and advances biocatalysis and associated core technologies to invent, develop, and implement sustainable synthetic routes across the small molecule pipeline. Our interdisciplinary team integrates biosynthetic logic, mechanistic investigation, data-rich experimentation, molecular biology, biochemistry, bioinformatics, and advanced automation to drive innovation in drug discovery and development. By collaborating across process chemistry, chemical engineering, and analytical chemistry, we are transforming how molecules are made through innovative biocatalytic processes. The ideal candidate has deep expertise in biocatalysis or enzyme engineering, or a related discipline with a demonstrated ability to translate scientific innovations into practical solutions. The group collaborates broadly within our Company, with academic leaders, and with industry partners to expand and accelerate the impact of biocatalysis on human health.

Job Responsibilities:

In this role, the successful candidate will contribute directly to the invention, development, and implementation of novel enzymes, biocatalytic reactions, and synthetic processes to support drug discovery, clinical supply, and commercial manufacturing. As part of multidisciplinary project teams, they will develop novel biocatalytic processes that enable efficient and scalable routes for drug development. The candidate will independently design and execute experiments, define novel approaches to challenging scientific problems, and work in teams to advance the application of biocatalysis for the benefit of the pipeline. They will give scientific presentations internally and externally, contribute to publications and patents, contribute to defining the scientific strategy on programs, and develop new approaches that accelerate research and development while advancing the fields of enzyme engineering and biocatalysis.

Education Requirements:

• Ph.D. or Postdoctoral Education in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Bioengineering, Biophysics, Chemical Engineering, Molecular Biology, Synthetic Biology, or a related field; or
• M.S. with at least 4 years of relevant industry experience; or
• B.S. with at least 5 years of relevant industry experience

Required Experience and Skills:

• Demonstrated scientific accomplishments in biocatalysis, enzyme engineering, or a related field as evidenced by field-impacting research publications.
• Deep expertise in biocatalysis, enzyme engineering, or a related field, with demonstrated ability to solve complex chemical or biochemical problems.
• Demonstrated ability to solve complex scientific problems in a collaborative, multidisciplinary team environment.
• Excellent communication and organizational skills.

Preferred Experience and Skills:

• Experience in developing biocatalytic or chemoenzymatic syntheses.
• Experience with multiple strategies to identify and engineer enzymes for biocatalytic use.
• Experience engineering novel biocatalysts, biosynthetic pathways, or de novo proteins.
• Familiarity with directed evolution, next-generation sequencing, computational protein design, machine learning, microfluidics, analytical chemistry, chemical engineering, or laboratory automation.
• Experience with reproducible data analysis, for example, using Python or R.

Required Skills:

Analytical Chemistry, Analytical Method Development, Biocatalysis, Biodesign, Chromatography, Conducting Experiments, Drug Development

Preferred Skills:

The salary range for this role is $117,000.00 – $184,200.00. 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.