Senior Scientist, Pharmacokinetics

Our PDMB Regulated Bioanalytics Department is seeking a Senior Robotics Engineer to join the Regulated Robotics group. This role supports work across groups within the Regulated Bioanalytics Department, including our new state-of-the-art AdVAnce GxP research facility in West Point, PA. At this facility, we combine innovative robotics, IT platforms, and science to accelerate multiple modalities and enable late-stage clinical trials through the generation of timely, high-quality regulated bioanalytical data.

About the role

The selected individual will provide automation and operational support to scientific partners, including the setup and operation of state-of-the-art, end-to-end laboratory automation systems. This role involves high-level automation and engineering support, troubleshooting, and assisting in the design and fabrication of components to support the clinical research environment. The individual must sustain and operate the systems they help build and organize.

This is primarily an in-the-lab position requiring 100% on-site presence.

Responsibilities

• Liquid Handling / Automation Integration
  • Program and integrate laboratory instrumentation from vendors such as Beckman Coulter, Hamilton, Tecan, etc.
  • Develop and optimize liquid handling protocols on Biomek, Hamilton, and Tecan platforms, including liquid class validation.
  • Coordinate with vendors to support and service equipment to minimize downtime.
  • Responsible for operations, troubleshooting, and optimization of novel robotic platforms.
• Team Interface
  • Act collaboratively to solve problems and resolve new and unique situations with professionalism and service orientation.
  • Provide timely scientific support to assay staff while maintaining project timelines.
  • Empower, coach, and grow scientific partners as they transfer experiments to robotic platforms.
• Project Support
  • Procure materials required for assay execution, system builds, and general laboratory support.
  • Develop and execute installation, testing, and validation procedures on novel automation platforms.
  • Coordinate installation requirements with Safety and Facilities.
• Process Optimization
  • Continuously improve processes, systems, and overall client satisfaction.
  • Provide direction/information to vendors, suppliers, facilities staff, and service providers to ensure excellent coordination and execution of work within the client environment with minimal disruption.

Requirements

Education: BA/BS in Engineering, Biotechnology, Computer Science, or equivalent with at least 7 years of experience; MS with at least 3 years of experience; or PhD with hands-on experience in a related field.

Skills

• Required Experience & Skills:
  • High level of automation and engineering competency and technical expertise in integration, robotics, liquid handling, software, and electro-mechanical solutions.
  • Ability to apply expertise to continuously improve the organization's technical competency and output.
  • Ability to build and maintain strong relationships with site leaders, corporate management, and stakeholders to ensure effective communication.
  • Ability to prioritize projects and resources to deliver required output and support to customers.
  • Ability to work independently.
  • Experience with commercial laboratory software and equipment (e.g., Momentum, Green Button Go, Cellario, Beckman, Tecan, Hamilton, Brooks).
• Preferred Experience & Skills:
  • Experience working in pharmaceutical or biotech companies and/or laboratory experience.
  • Cursory understanding of bench science.
  • Experience with Microsoft programming languages (e.g., VB, Python, C#, SQL).
  • Regulated or Clinical operation and documentation experience (e.g., GxP).
  • Laboratory Field Service experience.
• Required Technical Skills:
  • Biochemical Assays, Cell-Based Assays, Detail-Oriented, Flow Cytometry, Ligand Binding Assay, Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS), Mass Spectrometry Analysis, Partnership Strategy, Teamwork.

Pay

The salary range for this role is $117,000.00 - $184,200.00. An employee’s position within the salary range will be based on 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.

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 about benefits is available at Merck Compensation and Benefits.