Scientist, Downstream Vaccines and Advanced Biotechnologies (VAX) Process R&D

About the role

Our company is a global health care leader with a diversified portfolio of prescription medicines, vaccines, and animal health products, operating in the United States and Canada. The Vaccine and Advanced Biotechnologies (VAX) Process R&D department, part of the Research Labs division, supports downstream process development for vaccine programs at the West Point, PA site. The team develops safe, scalable, robust, and cost‑effective downstream processes for vaccine and adjuvant manufacturing across all vaccine modalities, from preclinical to commercialization. As a Scientist in this role, you will contribute scientific and technical expertise to adjuvant process development, serve as a cross‑functional team member, and mentor colleagues while working on novel adjuvant candidates.

Responsibilities

• Independently design, execute, and analyze process development experiments to maximize adjuvant production processes, thereby de‑risking later stage development and tech transfer.
• Provide leadership in downstream process design and development for novel adjuvant candidates.
• Represent the functional area in cross‑functional and strategic teams engaged in vaccine development.
• Lead tech transfer of vaccine adjuvant processes for clinical and commercial manufacture.
• Serve as a scientific/technical mentor and provide technical guidance in downstream bioprocess/adjuvant development.
• Support strategic initiatives and innovation in vaccine and advanced biotechnology process development.
• Analyze experiments using analytical techniques such as HPLC, light scattering, and spectroscopy.
• Interpret data, prepare presentations, and contribute to manuscript and patent preparation.

Requirements

Education: BS or MS in engineering or bio/chemical sciences (Chemical Engineering, Bioengineering, Biomedical Engineering, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Biotechnology).

• For BS candidates: at least two (2) years of experience in a pharmaceutical or biotechnology‑related position.
• For MS candidates: at least one (1) year of post‑graduate experience in bioprocess/biotechnology‑related position (vaccines and/or therapeutic proteins) or relevant academic research thesis.

Required experience and skills:

• Scientific understanding of downstream bioprocess purification processes and purification operations of large complex molecules.
• Technical understanding of bioprocess scaling principles.
• Prior hands‑on bioprocess development experience from academic lab or industry.
• Willingness to work with infectious agents, pathogens, and/or potent compounds.
• Ability to work occasional travel and off‑hour/weekend work.
• Strong scientific and hands‑on understanding of downstream bioprocess/adjuvant unit operations, biotherapeutic and/or vaccine process development, and scale‑up principles.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and in a team‑focused environment.

Skills

Required skills:

• Adaptability
• Analytical Chemistry
• Biochemistry
• Bioprocess Engineering
• Chemical Engineering
• Data Analysis
• Laboratory Analytical Techniques
• Molecular Biology
• Molecular Cloning
• Product Development
• Protein Purifications

Preferred skills:

• Prior hands‑on experience with tee‑mixing, extrusion, tangential flow filtration, dead‑end filtration, microfiltration, or homogenization.
• Experience in process tech transfer to production facilities.
• Prior hands‑on experience with production or analysis of nanoparticles.
• Strong understanding of, or hands‑on experience in, cGMP manufacturing.
• Ability to communicate results verbally and in writing.
• Flexibility to respond to changing priorities or unexpected events.

Benefits

We offer a comprehensive package of benefits, including 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 is available at https://jobs.merck.com/us/en/compensation-and-benefits.

Pay

The salary range for this role is $87,300.00 – $137,400.00. An employee’s position within the range will be based on factors such as 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.

Schedule

Position requires occasional travel and off‑hour/weekend work. Travel requirements: flexible work arrangements not applicable.