Sr. Scientist, Analytical R&D Full-time

Senior Scientist, Biophysical Characterization

The Materials and Biophysical Characterization group in Analytical Research and Development is seeking a highly self-motivated and innovative scientist with deep knowledge and strong problem-solving skills in biophysical characterization. The Biophysical Characterization team is responsible for building the mechanistic understanding of the interplay between formulation composition, process and stability of drug substance and drug product to ensure process robustness and product quality.

As a Senior Scientist, you will be supporting projects in the pipeline by developing and implementing biophysical and particle characterization assays collaborating with process, formulation and device as part of the CMC development team. You are expected to use your scientific expertise to find creative solutions to challenging problems which require deep analytical insight and critical thinking. Additional responsibilities include authoring technical reports and regulatory documents, presenting technical data, and project management. You will conduct independent research, publish research findings, present at scientific conferences, and engage with various external scientific societies/organizations. This is an excellent growth and learning opportunity to work in an exciting, collaborative environment with a wide array of scientists from different divisions, and make significant contributions towards our life-saving medicines.

Education Minimum Requirement:

• Ph.D. in Biophysics, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Pharmaceutical Sciences or related discipline with 0-4 years' experience.
• MSc in Biophysics, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Pharmaceutical Sciences or related discipline with 4-8 years' experience.

Required Experience and Skills:

• Fundamental understanding of protein science, protein stability, and protein-protein interactions
• Hands-on experience with biophysical and particle characterization techniques for biotherapeutics characterization, excellent analytical skills and the ability to analyze and interpret complex data sets
• Self-motivated with an outstanding scientific track-record; Track-record of independent problem-solving applying deep technical and subject matter expertise
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, actively engages in two-way communication to build trusting relationships.
• Excellent organizational skills to multi-task and manage multiple projects.
• Ability to drive operational excellence by clarifying and translating priorities into actionable steps, and ensure expectations are met aligned with agreed standards and methodologies

Desired Experience and Skills:

• Experience with molecular modeling.
• Experience with cryoEM, BioNMR and/or Mass Spectrometry.
• Experience with biological formulation development and analytical method development.
• Experience with various modalities including peptides, mAbs, ADC, fusion protein.

Required Skills: Accountability, Adaptability, Analytical Method Development, Assay Development, Bioanalytical Analysis, Biochemical Assays, Biomedical Engineering, Biomedical Sciences, Biophysics, Cell-Based Assays, Chemical Biology, Chemical Engineering, Chemical Technology, Chromatographic Techniques, Communication, GMP Environments, Innovative Thinking, Mass Spectrometry (MS), Molecular Modeling, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Analysis, Operational Excellence, Process Analytical Technology (PAT), Project Management, Protein Chemistry

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.

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: No

Travel Requirements: No Travel Required

Flexible Work Arrangements: Not Applicable

Shift: Not Indicated

Valid Driving License: No

Hazardous Material(s): N/A

Job Posting End Date: 02/2/2026

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