Scientist, Vaccine Analytical R&D

Job Description

We are seeking applicants for a Scientist position to join our Vaccine Analytical Research and Development team located in West Point, PA. The 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. The individual should have knowledge of analytical techniques and molecular structure characterization. Evidence of strong cross-functional collaboration in an academic or industrial setting is will aid in distinguising candidates. 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. 

Education Minimum Requirement: 

• B.S. or B.A. in analytical chemistry, chemistry, biochemistry, biomedical engineering or related field with a minimum of 2 years of biotech/pharmaceutical industry experience / relevant academic work with publications or M.S. degree  with a minimum of of 1 year of experience in the biotech/pharmaceutical Industry.

Required Experience and Skills: 

• Work Independently and as a Team member with Integrity | Precision | Accomplishment | Motivational Ambition | Respect | Inclusion.

• Knowledge and understanding of analytical techniques for the analysis of biologics or vaccines (CE, cIEF, HPLC, LC-MS, SDS-PAGE).

• Ability to conduct research project activities under supervision and to troubleshoot technical issues related to analytical methods.

• Effective organizational, oral/written communications skills, show scientific leadership, and a desire to conduct research and publish.

• Motivated to learn new skills, willingness to take on new challenges, and scientific curiosity.

Preferred Experience and Skills:

• Experience with cGMP or cGLP practices and using electronic lab notebooks.

• 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, and external scientific publications.

• Solid computer skills, experienced with automated laboratory instrumentation, and independent analytical problem-solving capabilities.

• Strong ability to deliver complex objectives under aggressive timelines in a rapidly changing environment

#AR&D

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Required Skills:

Adaptability, Analytical Chemistry, Analytical Development, Analytical Method Development, Fluorescence, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Immunoassays, Immunochemistry, Immunology, Interpersonal Relationships, Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS), Laboratory Techniques, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), Project Reviews, Protein Chemistry, Scientific Leadership, Self Motivation, Spectrometry, Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) Writing, Structural Biology, Technical Writing, Troubleshooting, Virology

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:

EEOC Know Your Rights

EEOC GINA Supplement​

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.

Learn more about your rights, including under California, Colorado and other US State Acts

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

$87,300.00 - $137,400.00

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:

No relocation

VISA Sponsorship:

No

Travel Requirements:

10%

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Not Applicable

Shift:

1st - Day

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

n/a

Job Posting End Date:

05/9/2026

*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.