Scientist, Vaccines Analytical R&D (On site)

Job Description

The Vaccines Analytical Research and Development (Vaccines AR&D) team within the Large Molecule Analytical department is seeking applicants for a lab based, Scientist position at its West Point, Pennsylvania, research facility.

The scientist is a laboratory-based scientific role that establishes and maintains laboratory automation and robotic systems used to support high-throughput analytical assays. 

The primary lab-based role of the successful candidate will be to accurately perform automated and robotic biochemical, immunoassay, and cell-based methods.  The candidate must be able to independently troubleshoot technical issues, participate in day-to-day lab maintenance activities, maintain accurate records, and be responsible for timely communication of data.   Additionally, the individual will be responsible for maintaining laboratory automation and robotic systems.  The individual should have practical working knowledge of hardware and programming experience with robotic liquid handlers, as well as scheduling software across a range of platforms (Tecan, Hamilton, HighResBiosolutions). 

The successful candidate must be able to solve analytical problems at the interface of biology, chemistry, and lab informatics, to enable the development of vaccines supporting process development, formulation development, vaccine investigations, and method lifecycle management.   Lastly, the individual will be expected to execute method development, qualifications, validations, and transfers of analytical methods.  This includes authoring reports and technically reviewing data. The ideal candidate should bring expertise in a wide variety of automation and robotic methods with an emphasis on engineering, biology, chemistry, and virology.  

The successful candidate must function well and collaborate effectively in a fast-paced, integrated, multidisciplinary team environment.  Applicants must have effective organizational, multi-tasking, oral/written communication skills, show scientific leadership, and a desire to conduct research.  Evidence of cross-functional collaboration in an academic or industrial setting is also preferred.

Position Qualifications: (please provide below)

Education Minimum Requirements:

• M.S Engineering, chemistry/biochemistry/ or related field with 1+ years or B.S. with a minimum of 4+ years of experience in a related biotechnology field.

Required Experience and Skills:

• Experience with liquid handlers, integrated robotic systems, and software.

• Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot technical issues with automation and robotics.

• Capable of performing assay development and automation development with minimum supervision.

• Demonstrated ability to manage, analyze, and interpret molecular biology, virology, and biochemistry data.

• Experience working in a regulated laboratory environment and familiarity with the ICH guidelines of analytical procedure validation. 

• A strong team player with excellent oral and written communication skills; ability to work both independently for the development of assays and cross-functionally for the successful transfer of assays. Plan assay optimization and documentation to meet program deadlines.

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

Preferred Experience and Skills:

• Proficiency in at least one computer programming language, including Visual Basic, C#, MATLAB, Python, and/or R.

• Experience with assay tech transfer from development to GMP labs.

• Background in Analytical Methodologies and sound scientific understanding of Critical Quality Attributes/QbD/DOE principles as well as data analysis and statistics for setting specifications

• Experience with qualification, validation, and transfer of assays to a GLP or regulated laboratory environment as listed in ICH Q2 and USP<1220>.

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

• Demonstrated scientific ability through publications or presentations in scientific conferences.

#AR&D

#eligibleforerp

Required Skills:

Adaptability, Adaptability, Analytical Development, Analytical Method Development, Assay Development, Biochemical Analysis, C++ Programming Language, Cell-Based Assays, Computer Programming, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Immunoassays, Interpersonal Relationships, Laboratory Automation, Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS), Laboratory Maintenance, Laboratory Techniques, Mammalian Cell Culture, Molecular Biology, Multitasking, Programming Languages, Robotic Liquid Handlers, Scientific Leadership, Self Motivation, Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) Writing, Technical Issues {+ 1 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.

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:

No Travel Required

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Not Applicable

Shift:

1st - Day

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

n/a

Job Posting End Date:

05/14/2026

*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.