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

Our Company in Rahway, N.J., U.S.A. is a global health care leader with a diversified portfolio of prescription medicines, vaccines, and animal health products. Today, we are building a new kind of healthcare company – one that is ready to help create a healthier future for all of us. Our ability to excel depends on the integrity, knowledge, imagination, skill, diversity, and teamwork of individuals like you. We strive to create an environment of mutual respect, encouragement, and teamwork.

About the role

We are seeking an innovative, highly motivated, and experienced Scientist to join the Vaccine and Advanced Biotechnologies (VAX) Process R&D department at our research and development site in West Point, PA. The individual will support downstream process development efforts for Vaccine programs, contributing to the development and clinical manufacturing of Drug Substance (DS) and Drug Product Intermediates (DPI) for the vaccine and advanced therapy pipeline, spanning from preclinical to commercialization stages.

The vaccines downstream process development team develops safe, scalable, robust, and cost-effective downstream processes that enable clinical and commercial manufacture of vaccines and adjuvants across all vaccine modalities. This role will focus on scientific and technical contributions and leadership of bioconjugation process development, and will be a critical member of cross-functional program/project teams.

Responsibilities

• Independent design, execution, and analysis of process development experiments to maximize conjugate vaccine production processes, thereby de-risking later stage development and tech transfer.
• Leadership roles in downstream process design and development for conjugate vaccine candidates.
• Represent the functional area in cross-functional and strategic teams engaged in vaccine development.
• Lead tech transfer of vaccine drug substance processes for clinical and commercial manufacture.
• Serve as a scientific/technical mentor and provide technical guidance in downstream bioprocess/bioconjugation development.
• Support strategic initiatives and innovation in vaccine and advanced biotechnology process development.
• Analyze experiments using techniques including HPLC, light scattering, and spectroscopy.
• Interpret data and contribute to manuscript/patent preparation.
• Comply with all required training and maintain a focused attention on laboratory safety for yourself and your team.
• Demonstrate flexibility in responding to changing priorities or dealing with unexpected events.

This position may require working with infectious agents, pathogens, and/or potent compounds with appropriate engineering controls and PPE. Occasional travel (10%) and off-hour/weekend work may be required.

Requirements

• BS, MS, or PhD in engineering or bio/chemical sciences: Chemical Engineering, Bioengineering, Biomedical Engineering, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Biotechnology.
• For BS candidates: at least six (2) years of experience in a pharmaceutical or biotechnology-related position.
• For MS candidates: at least three (3) years of post-graduate experience in bioprocess/biotechnology-related position (vaccines and/or therapeutic proteins) or relevant academic research thesis.
• 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 through academic lab or industry experience.
• Strong scientific and hands-on understanding of downstream bioprocess/bioconjugation unit operations, biotherapeutic and/or vaccine process development, and sound understanding of scale-up principles.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and in a team-focused environment.
• Willingness to work with infectious agents and/or pathogens.

Preferred Skills

• Hands-on experience with purification bioprocesses: Tangential Flow Filtration, Dead-End Filtration, Chromatography, or Homogenization.
• Experience in Process Tech Transfer to production facilities.
• Experience with biomolecule conjugation (e.g., conjugate vaccines, antibody-drug conjugates), conjugation chemistry, and downstream bioconjugate processing.
• Strong understanding of, or hands-on experience in, cGMP manufacturing.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, dental, vision healthcare, and other insurance benefits (for employee and family).
• Retirement benefits, including 401(k).
• Paid holidays, vacation, compassionate, and sick days.
• Annual bonus and long-term incentive (if applicable).

More information about benefits 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 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.