Senior Scientist, Automation & Informatics

Job Description

Job Description:

The Screening & Compound Profiling group at our Research Laboratories site in Rahway, NJ, is seeking a highly motivated Automation Scientist to join our Automation & Informatics team in the Screening and Compound Profiling group. The successful candidate will be responsible for independently operating automated systems to execute a variety of biochemical and cell-based assays accurately and efficiently, while ensuring the integrity, traceability, and quality of the data generated. The individual will play a key role in maintaining, troubleshooting, and optimizing automated systems and workflows to expand and enhance capabilities for target and lead discovery across therapeutic areas, including oncology, immunology, neuroscience, cardiometabolic, and infectious disease.

The successful candidate is expected to apply strong technical judgment to identify workflow issues, troubleshoot complex hardware and process problems, and implement improvements that increase reliability, efficiency, and scalability of screening operations. The individual will also work with data visualization tools to effectively analyze and present experimental results, enabling clear insights and decision-making from complex datasets.

In addition, this individual will collaborate closely with scientists and engineers to support the implementation of new assays and workflows on automation platforms and may provide training or technical guidance to colleagues as needed. The individual will work within our team of scientists and engineers as part of a high-performance culture that values collaboration, inclusion, engagement, and accountability.

Education:

Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field required (Biology, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Biomedical Engineering, or similar) with approximately 10 years of relevant experience in a laboratory automation environment (industry or equivalent academic/biotech experifence).

Or an advanced degree (M.S.) with approximately 7 years of relevant experience in a laboratory automation environment (industry or equivalent academic/biotech experience). Equivalent combination of education and relevant hands-on laboratory/automation experience will be considered.

Required Skills & Experience:

• Practical experience working with laboratory automation platforms used for HTS or similar high-throughput workflows (e.g., integrated robotic systems, liquid handlers, plate handlers, incubators).

• Expertise with laboratory instrumentation such as low-volume bulk dispensers, acoustic sample transfer devices, and detectors in both standalone and integrated modes.

• Experience supporting biochemical and/or cell-based assays and/or arrayed CRISPR screens within an HTS or screening context.

• Demonstrated ability to independently coordinate and track preventive maintenance for complex instrumentation, including interaction with vendors or service providers.

• Strong troubleshooting skills for automation hardware, basic software issues, and workflow-level problems in a laboratory environment, with the ability to identify root causes and implement effective solutions.

• Demonstrated ability to optimize automated workflows and improve operational efficiency, reliability, and robustness in a screening environment.

• High attention to detail and commitment to data quality, documentation, and adherence to SOPs and standardized workflows.

• Ability to manage multiple concurrent requests, prioritize work effectively, and operate with a high degree of independence to meet agreed timelines.

• Effective communication and collaboration skills to work closely with scientists, automation colleagues, and other stakeholders involved in screening campaigns.

• Ability to provide technical guidance and training to colleagues as needed.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with HighRes integrated automation platforms running Cellario Scheduler.

• Experience with Beckman Access systems running Tempo scheduling software.

• Experience with Mosaic Sample Management platform including Tempo Fulfillment Module (TFM).

• Ability to assess and apply emerging technologies, including agentic AI, to streamline laboratory workflows, identify process improvement opportunities, and enhance the efficiency, robustness, and scalability of screening operations.

Required Skills:

Accountability, Adaptability, Assay Development, Automation Systems, Automation Technology, Biochemistry, Biomedical Engineering, Biomedical Technologies, Bioscience, Biotechnology, Cell-Based Assays, Cell Biology, Collaboration, Communication, Deep Learning, Detail-Oriented, Documentations, In Vitro Assays, Machine Learning, Microbiology, Molecular Biotechnology, Oncology, Researching, Teamwork, Troubleshooting

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

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:

06/19/2026

*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.