Sr. Spclst, Research

Job Description

Our Company: 

Today we invent for a more hopeful tomorrow. "Our Company" is inventing medicines and vaccines for many of the world's most challenging diseases through our diversified portfolio of prescription medicines, vaccines, biologic therapies and animal health products. We have always been and always will be inventing, and we do it for the single greatest purpose: Life. 

Our ability to excel depends on the integrity, knowledge, imagination, skill, diversity, and teamwork of our people. To this end, we strive to create an environment of mutual respect, encouragement, and teamwork. As part of our global team, you’ll have the opportunity to collaborate with talented and dedicated colleagues while developing and expanding your career. 

"Our Company" in Australia and New Zealand operates in a highly regulated and competitive environment.  Our success largely depends on our ability to build customer loyalty and optimize the return on customer segments.  Success is often dependent on getting new products to market quickly and reimbursed at a price acceptable to both the market and the organization.  Our success depends on high levels of market penetration and effective management of emerging and existing customers.  This requires a high level of collaboration with stakeholders and a sense of urgency in our activities. 

About this Role: BTS Project Manager & Senior Scientist – Animal Health New Zealand (2 Year Fixed Term Contract)
You will lead a team of BTS specialists to deliver complex biological, immunological, and analytical projects that support global Animal Health product supply. This role combines scientific expertise, project leadership, cross‑functional collaboration, and continuous improvement to ensure projects are delivered on time, on budget, and in compliance with safety, quality, and regulatory standards. 

Key Responsibilities 

• Project Leadership: Oversee daily project execution, define scope and timelines, track milestones, manage budgets, and present updates to senior leadership. 

• Team Management & Development: Coach BTS staff in project management, scientific problem‑solving (assay development, antigen/vaccine science), and continuous improvement practices. 

• Cross‑Functional Collaboration: Work closely with Quality, Engineering, Production IPT, and external partners to ensure resource alignment and smooth implementation of new methods and vaccine processes. 

• Operational Excellence: Build effective management systems, ensure documentation compliance (GDP), maintain audit readiness, and promote a zero‑overdue culture. 

• EHS Compliance: Ensure hazards are managed, legal requirements met, audits completed, and staff trained to work safely. 

Required Skills & Experience 

• Strong team leadership, communication, and stakeholder management. 

• Demonstrated success managing Pharma/Biotech projects and driving strategic or organizational change. 

• Scientific expertise in biotech, microbiology, vaccines, antigens, or in vitro methods. 

• Minimum 5 years’ leadership or project delivery experience in a GMP biological/pharmaceutical environment. 

• Degree in Biological Sciences with project management exposure (preferred). 

Leadership Competencies 

• Entrepreneurship 

• Execution Excellence 

• Networking & Partnerships 

• Strategic Planning 

• Ownership & Accountability 

• Innovation 

• Influence 

Ways of Working & Values 

Act with urgency, collaborate across teams, embrace diversity, focus on impactful work, and uphold core values: Patients First, Ethics & Integrity, Respect for People, and Innovation. 

Disclaimer 

All relocation costs to New Zealand to be borne by the individual. No visa sponsorship available.

Required Skills:

Adaptability, Analytical Chemistry, Clinical Data Interpretation, Data Analysis, Experimentation, GMP Compliance, Lab Equipment Maintenance, Laboratory Management, Personal Initiative, Regulatory Compliance, Reviewing Literature, Statistical Analysis, Strategic Planning, Teamwork, Technical Writing

Preferred Skills:

Current Employees apply HERE

Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

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:

Temporary (Fixed Term)

Relocation:

VISA Sponsorship:

Travel Requirements:

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Not Applicable

Shift:

Valid Driving License:

Hazardous Material(s):

Job Posting End Date:

06/23/2026

*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.