Distinguished Scientist, Vaccines & Advanced Biotechnologies Process R&D

Job Description

We are seeking an esteemed scientific leader in the process development and manufacturing of vaccine drug substances for the role of Distinguished Scientist (equivalent to the Executive Director level), in the Vaccines & Advanced Biotechnologies Process R&D (VAX PR&D) department, located in West Point, PA.

Our department is responsible for the process development and clinical manufacturing of drug substances (DS) and adjuvant bulk for the entire vaccine pipeline at our company, spanning from preclinical to commercialization stages. We work on developing and commercializing life-saving vaccines from modalities: polysaccharides, protein subunits, polysaccharide conjugates, viral vectors, RNA, VLPs, etc. We are part of the Discovery Sciences Clinical Supply organization, which enables CMC development and clinical manufacturing for all our company's pipeline. 

Elevate your career and make a lasting impact in the field of vaccine development! We are on the lookout for a Distinguished Scientist to lead our VAX PR&D team in downstream (DS) process development and manufacturing. In this influential role, you will be at the forefront of our scientific endeavors, responsible for:

• Crafting and implementing a visionary scientific strategy that encompasses the entire lifecycle of vaccine DS development and clinical manufacturing, including the creation of a forward-thinking technology roadmap.

• Fostering strategic partnerships across CMC areas and collaborating with Discovery, Clinical, Commercial Manufacturing, and Marketing teams to drive innovation and accelerate the commercialization of our vaccine pipeline.

• Building and expanding our external collaboration network with leading academic institutions, industry partners, and NGOs, while enhancing our scientific visibility through high-impact publications and keynote presentations at major conferences.

• Inspiring and nurturing the next generation of scientific talent through mentorship and coaching, cultivating a culture of excellence and creativity within our organization.

• Advising and supporting the DS development teams as they navigate critical milestones and tackle complex technical challenges, ensuring the successful advancement of our projects.

In this role, you will report directly to the head of VAX PR&D and play a key role on our Leadership Team. You will also represent our organization in various capacities, including due diligence, regulatory input, and program leadership.

Education:

• PhD in Chemical Engineering, Biochemistry, pharmaceutical sciences, or a relevant field.

Required Experience and Skills:

• A minimum of 15 years of experience in Drug Substance (DS) process development for vaccines/ biologics, with exposure to all stages and aspects of the product life cycle.

• Extensive DS experience in upstream, downstream, and analytical development for vaccines/biologics (with in-depth domain knowledge), as well as working knowledge of drug product development and clinical manufacturing.

• Proficient with major cell substrates (E.coli, yeasts, HEK293, Vero, CHO, etc.) and modalities (LVV, viral vectors, RNA, protein subunits, conjugates, etc.). 

• Experience in CMC or program leadership leading to multiple successful regulatory submissions for vaccines/biologics.

• Excellent understanding of modeling, automation, AI/ML, and Systems Biology.

• Extensive knowledge of global regulatory requirements for vaccines.

• Demonstrated scientific and communication capability to strongly influence senior leaders across functional areas and steer scientific strategy and policy.

• Proven record of coaching talents and building high performance teams.

The preferred candidate should demonstrate effectiveness in the following key areas:

• Recognized as a scientific leader nationally/internationally for expertise in vaccines/ biologics process development. Examples of which could be a proven track record of successful collaboration with industry and academia, recognition of work via professional bodies, demonstration of research impact via awards and nominations.

• Proven record of pushing the boundary of the vaccine/biologics field, with practical implementation in process development and manufacturing to advance pipeline.

• Working knowledge on adjuvant development and innovation as well as associated drug product development.

• Demonstrated expertise in addressing complex challenges in pipeline and life cycle management through critical thinking, innovation, scientific rigor, and cross-functional collaboration.

• Consistently delivers breakthrough results aligned with business needs and advancing the field.

• Demonstrated ability to apply and promote an innovation and growth mindset within teams and partnerships.

• Demonstrated capability and organizational intelligence to lead changes under complexed and ambiguous situations.

Why Join Us?

• Join a passionate team dedicated to pushing the boundaries of science and making a difference in global health.

• Engage in transformative research that has the potential to save lives and improve health outcomes worldwide.

• Benefit from a culture that prioritizes professional development, collaboration, and work-life balance.

Required Skills:

Bioprocessing, Bioproducts, Cross-Functional Teamwork, Detail-Oriented, Evaluating New Technologies, Exercises Judgment, Good Laboratory Practices (GLPs), Innovation, Mentoring Staff, Process Scale Up, Professional Networking, Protein Characterization, Protein Purifications, Scientific Analysis, Scientific Leadership, Strategizing

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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The salary range for this role is

$210,400.00 - $331,100.00

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/International

VISA Sponsorship:

Yes

Travel Requirements:

10%

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Not Applicable

Shift:

1st - Day

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

N/A

Job Posting End Date:

06/8/2026

*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.