Senior Scientist, Vaccines Analytical R&D

Job Description

The Vaccine Analytical Research & Development department is seeking applicants for a Senior Scientist position available at its West Point, Pennsylvania, research facility.

The Senior Scientist is a laboratory-based scientific role that establishes and maintains laboratory automation and robotic systems used to support high-throughput analytical assays. The successful candidate will be tasked with solving complex analytical problems at the interface of biology, chemistry, and lab informatics to enable vaccine development, support process and formulation development, conduct vaccine investigations, and manage the method lifecycle.  

In this role, the individual will maintain and implement analytical methods on robotic platforms to support high-throughput automated biochemical, immunological, and cell-based assays. This lab-based position involves developing analytical methods, and the individual must possess the ability to translate these methods into fully automated workflows, including data handling and integration with digital tools.

The successful candidate should cultivate and foster scientific and technological innovation, leverage external networks to stay current on industry best practices and emerging technologies in automation development, champion new initiatives, and seek to enhance functional capability and operational excellence.  The candidate must be highly self-motivated, possess strong experimental skills, have excellent written and oral communication skills, collaborate effectively on multidisciplinary teams, and demonstrate adaptability in a fast-paced, dynamic research environment.

Primary responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Act as an expert in the laboratory, executing on method development and program deliverables.

• Coordinate with internal digital technology teams to assist in translating automation designs into operational, user-ready solutions.

• The individual should have knowledge of end-to-end automation, with robotic liquid handlers, as well as scheduling software across a range of platforms (Tecan, Hamilton, HighRes Biosolutions). 

• The individual should have in-depth knowledge of immune-based antibody binding assays (ELISA), virology, and cell-based assays to support bioprocess development. 

• Knowledge and expertise in assay development, Design of Experiments (DoE), and qualification/validation for regulated analytical or bioanalytical assays.

• The successful candidate must be able to function well and collaborate in a fast-paced, integrated, multidisciplinary team environment. 

• Applicants must have effective organizational, multi-tasking, oral/written communication skills, as well as show scientific leadership and a desire to conduct research and publish. 

Education Minimum Requirements:

• Ph.D. degree in biomedical engineering, analytical chemistry, chemistry, biochemistry, or an engineering-related field, (with expected completion no later than May 2026) or M.S. degree with a minimum of 3 years of experience in the Biotech/Pharmaceutical Industry, or B.S. degree with a minimum of 7 years of experience in the Biotech/Pharmaceutical Industry.

Required Experience and Skills:

• In-depth knowledge and understanding of liquid handlers, integrated robotic systems and software, and/or imaging methodology.

• Experience and knowledge of molecular biology, virology, and biochemistry techniques related to biologics or vaccine bioprocess.  (such as ELISA, infectivity cell-based assay).  

• Strong analytical capabilities, communication skills, ability to lead other scientists, demonstrated scientific knowledge in peer-reviewed journals, and strong presentation skills. 

• A strong team player with excellent oral and written communication skills; ability to work both independently and cross-functionally for the development of assays.

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

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

Preferred:

• In addition to the requirement, proficiency in computer programming languages, including Visual Basic, C#, MATLAB, Python, and/or R is desired.

• Experience with assay robustness evaluation and method qualifications, validations and transfers and familiar with relevant compendial guidelines (e.g., USP1220, ICH Q2/Q14)

• Evidence of strong cross-functional collaboration in an academic or industrial setting

#AR&D

Required Skills:

Adaptability, Analytical Chemistry, Analytical Method Development, Assay, Assay Development, Bioanalytical Analysis, Biochemical Assays, Biomedical Engineering, Cell-Based Assays, Cell Physiology, Chromatographic Techniques, Computer Programming, Cross-Functional Collaboration, GMP Environments, Innovative Thinking, Molecular Biology, Multidisciplinary Collaboration, Multitasking, Programming Languages, Strategic Thinking, Technical Writing, Virology

Preferred Skills:

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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

$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:

10%

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Not Applicable

Shift:

1st - Day

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

n/a

Job Posting End Date:

04/30/2026

*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.