Associate Principal Scientist, Environmental & Process Safety Engineering (EPSE)

Merck & Co. • Rahway, NJ

252d • $139,600 - $219,700 • Onsite

About The Position

The Environmental & Process Safety Engineering (EPSE) group within the Chemical Engineering Research & Development department (CERD), part of the Process Research and Development organization, is seeking highly motivated individuals who are looking for an opportunity to work in a fast-paced job that provides a high degree of technical responsibility. Under scientific and administrative direction, incumbent carries out independent work conceiving, designing, planning, and implementing advanced small scale laboratory studies aimed at characterizing the hazards associated with the process and materials used to produce active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) and intermediates at all scales, from the laboratory to commercial manufacturing. Specific areas include thermal hazard assessment and potential for gas generation with variety of calorimeters such as SuperCRC, Insight, EZMax and RC1, and its consequence modeling for the scale-up units. This role is largely hands-on and is located at our Rahway, NJ location. This position requires expertise in laboratory instruments and techniques, managing the workflow of requests for testing and guidance, organizing collaboration to complete testing and issuing reports to document results. The incumbent is expected to be able to interpret and apply safety and environmental regulations and make scientific contributions to research programs of major importance to our company's Research and Manufacturing Divisions. This position is seeking an individual looking to become a deep subject matter expert in specific fields of chemical hazard/reaction review including literature review and paper assessment and process safety testing. As such, a deep understanding/exposure of organic chemistry and exposure to process safety and/or small molecule API scale-up is highly desired. A high level of innovation and creativity are necessary to adapt to evolving technologies and tools. Also, a high level of self-initiative, attention to detail, and ownership along with the ability to plan and organize activities are expected. Successful candidates will be required to communicate regularly, clearly, and with confidence as they discuss technical problems, provide oversight to laboratory, pilot plant and commercial manufacturing operations, and interface with cross-functional colleagues such as chemistry, chemical engineering, facility and/or site EHS to influence process development and drive a safer process design.

Requirements

• BS and/or MS in Chemistry or Chemical/Biochemical Engineering (or comparable) plus at least 8 years of relevant work experience, or a PhD in Chemistry or Chemical/Biochemical Engineering (or comparable) with at least 3 years of relevant work experience post PhD defense.
• Experience performing laboratory-based research/process development in a chemistry, process safety, or chemical engineering-related area.
• Experience with process scale-up and/or technology transfer.
• Highly effective communication and collaboration skills.
• Good organizational, interpersonal, writing, and time management skills.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with thermal analysis techniques including differential scanning and reaction calorimetry.
• Experience with evaluating process safety including risks of thermal decomposition, gas generation, vent sizing, static/conductivity, or dust explosivity.
• Experience with process or process safety modeling.
• Experience with in-situ or off-line analytical techniques such as FTIR, Raman, and/or GC/HPLC.
• Passion for chemical process safety or safety in general.
• Scientific supervisory experience.

Responsibilities

• Conceiving, designing, planning, and implementing advanced small scale laboratory studies.
• Characterizing hazards associated with processes and materials used to produce active pharmaceutical ingredients (API).
• Conducting thermal hazard assessments and gas generation potential evaluations.
• Managing workflow of requests for testing and guidance.
• Organizing collaboration to complete testing and issuing reports.
• Interpreting and applying safety and environmental regulations.
• Making scientific contributions to research programs.
• Communicating technical problems and providing oversight to laboratory and manufacturing operations.

Benefits

• Bonus eligibility.
• Long term incentive if applicable.
• Health care and other insurance benefits (for employee and family).
• Retirement benefits.
• Paid holidays, vacation, and sick days.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Industry: Chemical Manufacturing
• Education Level: Master's degree