Senior Scientist, Vaccines Analytical Research & Development Full-time

Senior Vaccine Analytical Research & Development Scientist

Our Research Scientists are our Inventors. We identify and target steps in disease mechanisms or pathways that could be inhibited or enhanced. Our goal is to isolate a compound that is effective against a disease target. Using innovative thinking, state-of-the-art facilities and robust scientific methodology we collaborate to discover the next medical breakthrough.

We are seeking a growth and improvement minded Senior Vaccine Analytical Research & Development Scientist that can help drive our strategic operating priorities.

Our strategic operating priorities are:

• Invent | Pursue the most promising internal and external science to address significant unmet medical needs
• Execute | Prioritize resources behind our key growth drivers (oncology, vaccines, select specialty areas, animal health) while optimizing our base business
• Adapt | Develop our people, culture and business model to evolve with a dynamic landscape
• Talent | We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment with supporting leadership behaviors because having a high-performing, engaged workforce is critical to our ability to deliver innovative solutions to patients and customers around the world
• Values and Standards | Our steadfast commitment to our values and standards will continue to guide us as we take on new challenges and will always be fundamental to our success – they are a competitive advantage for us

Summary, Focus and Supply

We are seeking applicants for a Senior Scientist position to join our Vaccines Analytical Research and Development team located in West Point, PA. The Senior Scientist is a laboratory-based, scientific role tasked with solving complex analytical problems at the interface of biology, chemistry, and lab informatics disciplines to enable development of vaccines.

In this role, an individual will work with a team of scientists to develop state-of-the-art analytical techniques, such as separations of small molecules, polymers, proteins, conjugates and nanoparticles (FPLC, HPLC, CE), spectroscopic techniques (NMR, UV-VIS/IR/Fluorescence), virology, immunoassay and classical wet chemistry techniques. The individual should have knowledge of analytical techniques and molecular structure characterization. Lab automation and digital informatics is considered a plus.

The candidate will work with a team of scientists applying analytical methods to support vaccine process development, formulation development, vaccine investigations, vaccine characterization, method qualifications and transfers. Experience leading small groups of technical personnel and analytical projects will aid in distinguishing candidates. Evidence of strong cross-functional collaboration in an academic or industrial setting is also preferred. Additionally, this individual must document the execution, procedure, results, and conclusions of experiments in a detailed and organized manner following ALCOA principles.

In addition to analytical capabilities, the incumbent should have knowledge in protein chemistry, structural biology, and biochemistry with applications to biomolecules such as viruses, virus like particles, proteins, and DNA/RNA. The candidate must be able to prioritize and work in collaborative manner in a fast-paced, integrated, multidisciplinary team environment. Additional responsibilities include providing technical guidance to other scientists, evaluating new technologies, driving innovation to influence trends in industry, and preparing technical documents to support regulatory submissions. Applicants must be motivated to conduct research and publish.

Education

• Ph.D. degree in analytical chemistry, chemistry, biochemistry, biomedical engineering or related field (with expected completion no later than May 2026) or Master of Science degree with four years experience in the Biotech/Pharmaceutical Industry, or Bachelor of Science degree with seven years experience in Biotech/Pharmaceutical Industry

Experience | Skills | Knowledge

Required

• Work independently and as a team member with integrity | precision | accomplishment | motivational ambition | respect | inclusion
• In-depth knowledge and understanding of separation science (HPLC, CE, LC-MS, SDS-PAGE, & WB) demonstrated by publications
• Extensive experience with chromatography or capillary separation methods (e.g. HPLC, CE, LC-MS) as demonstrated by method development and troubleshooting
• A strong team player with excellent oral and written communication skills; ability to work both independently and cross-functionally for development of assays
• Demonstrated scientific ability through publications and presentations in scientific conferences
• Motivated to learn new skills, willingness to take on new challenges, and scientific curiosity

Preferred

• Evidence of strong cross-functional collaboration in an academic or industrial setting
• Experience with automated laboratory instrumentation and analysis of large data sets
• Experience with assay robustness evaluation and method qualifications, validations and transfers and familiar with relevant compendial guidelines (e.g., USP1220, ICH Q2/Q14)
• Authoring and reviewing internal technical reports, sections of regulatory filings (e.g. IND, BLA) and external scientific publications
• Strong ability to deliver complex objectives under aggressive timelines in a rapidly changing environment

Required Skills:

Accountability, Adaptability, Analytical Method Development, Assay Development, Bioanalytical Analysis, Biochemical Assays, Biomedical Engineering, Biomedical Sciences, Chemistry, Chromatographic Techniques, Chromatography, Data Analysis, GMP Environments, Immunoassays, Immunochemistry, Immunology, Innovative Thinking, Oncology, Process Analytical Technology (PAT), Protein Chemistry, Scientific Research, Strategic Thinking, Structural Biology, Technical Writing

Preferred Skills:

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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:

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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.

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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.

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

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