Associate Principal Scientist, Process Analytical Technologies

Job Description

We are seeking an experienced and innovative Associate Principal Scientist to join the Process Analytical Technologies (PAT) team within Analytical Enabling Capabilities. In this role, you will collaborate with a cross-functional, highly engaged team to advance the development pipeline and support commercial manufacturing. The successful candidate will lead the development, validation, and implementation of in-line, on-line, and at-line PAT solutions for both small- and large-molecule modalities. Join our company and contribute to our mission of delivering innovative health solutions that advance the prevention and treatment of diseases in people and animals.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership for systematic assessment and deployment of in-line, on-line, and at-line PAT methods across small- and large-molecule programs.

• Design and develop standardized analytical platforms to enable PAT implementation, including real-time monitoring and rapid shop-floor analytics.

• Develop, validate, and implement PAT methods (in-line, on-line, at-line) to monitor and control process parameters and product quality attributes.

• Lead scale-up activities and technology transfer of PAT applications to commercial manufacturing.

• Partner with capital project and facility teams to design and establish integrated PAT infrastructure aligned with the Launch Preparedness strategy.

• Create integrated control strategies that leverage PAT platforms to enable robust, highly capable manufacturing processes across modalities (e.g., small molecule drug product, biologics, and vaccines).

• Prepare and maintain scientific documentation and validation packages for PAT methods; contribute content for regulatory submissions.

• Interact with global regulatory agencies as needed to support acceptance of PAT-based process control and release strategies.

Qualifications

Required

• B.S. in chemistry, biochemistry, biotechnology, bioengineering, chemical engineering, or a related discipline with a minimum of 12 years of relevant industry experience; or M.S. with at least 8 years; or Ph.D. with at least 4 years.

• Demonstrated experience in PAT.

• Strong technical background in spectroscopy (Raman, FTIR, NIR), chromatography, and chemometric/modeling approaches.

• Proven track record of scientific contributions (peer-reviewed publications or equivalent technical outputs).

Preferred

• Experience preparing PAT content for regulatory filings and interacting with regulatory agencies.

• Experience with PAT implementation in commercial manufacturing and technology transfer.

• Strong collaborative and interpersonal skills; ability to work across functions and with external partners.

• Project leadership and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

#AR&D

Required Skills:

Adaptability, Adaptability, Analytical Method Development, Assay Development, Biodesign, Biological Assay Development, Cell-Based Assays, Chemical Engineering, Chemical Technology, Chemometrics, Chromatographic Techniques, Chromatography, Column Chromatography, Cross-Functional Collaboration, Cross-Functional Teamwork, External Collaboration, High Resolution Mass Spectrometry (HRMS), Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS), Mass Spectrometry Analysis, Mechatronics, Optimism, Process Analytical Technology (PAT), Project Leadership, Protein Analysis, Real Time Monitoring {+ 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:

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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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U.S. Hybrid Work Model

Effective September 5, 2023, employees in office-based positions in the U.S. will be working a Hybrid work consisting of three total days on-site per week, Monday - Thursday, although the specific days may vary by site or organization, with Friday designated as a remote-working day, unless business critical tasks require an on-site presence.This Hybrid work model does not apply to, and daily in-person attendance is required for, field-based positions; facility-based, manufacturing-based, or research-based positions where the work to be performed is located at a Company site; positions covered by a collective-bargaining agreement (unless the agreement provides for hybrid work); or any other position for which the Company has determined the job requirements cannot be reasonably met working remotely. Please note, this Hybrid work model guidance also does not apply to roles that have been designated as “remote”.

The salary range for this role is

$142,400.00 - $224,100.00

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:

10%

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Not Applicable

Shift:

Not Indicated

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

n/a

Job Posting End Date:

05/24/2026

*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.