Associate Principal Scientist, Materials and Biophysical Characterization AR&D

Merck•Rahway, NJ

7h•Hybrid

About The Position

The Materials and Biophysical Characterization group is responsible for physical and biophysical characterization of our Company's development pipeline, inclusive of small molecules, biologics, and vaccines. The team is seeking a highly self-motivated and technically focused scientist with experience in biotherapeutics and materials characterization. As an Associate Principal Scientist, you will be responsible for physical characterization of biotherapeutics with focus on protein higher order structure and particles. You will be working in a collaborative team environment to support our Company's pipeline from discovery through development to commercial launch. You will be leveraging your technical expertise in characterization, partnering with other development scientists to deeply understand our products and processes, participating on cross-functional technical teams and contributing to interdepartmental initiatives. Additional expectations include building a strong network internally and across the external academic and regulatory community. Furthermore, the selected candidate will be expected to contribute to a culture of scientific excellence, develop a compliance mindset, and collaborate with partners and stakeholders across our company's network. The selected individual will have the opportunity to work with a wide array of scientists from our different divisions and make an impact on our Company's pipeline and our patients’ lives.

Requirements

Strong background in biophysical/biochemistry/physical chemistry/material sciences
Self-motivated with an outstanding scientific track-record.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both verbal and written.
Track-record of independent problem-solving and application of advanced innovative scientific approaches.
Desire and willingness to learn, contribute and mentor junior scientists in the group.
Excellent organizational skills to multi-task and manage multiple projects.
Masters in Biophysics, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Material Sciences, Biomedical Engineering, Pharmaceutical Sciences or related discipline with a minimum of 8 years relevant industrial experience.
Ph.D. in Biophysics, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Material Sciences, Biomedical Engineering, Pharmaceutical Sciences or related discipline with a minimum of 4 years of relevant experience.

Nice To Haves

Experience with biophysical and biochemical techniques for biotherapeutics characterization.
In-depth understanding of protein science, protein stability, and protein-protein interactions
Rheological characterization of complex fluids or suspensions
Experience with solid-state and solution characterization of small and large molecules
Experience with formulation development and analytical method development.
Experience with various modalities including mAbs, ADC, cytokine, fusion proteins, gene therapy, engineered cellular therapies

Responsibilities

Physical characterization of biotherapeutics with focus on protein higher order structure and particles.
Working in a collaborative team environment to support our Company's pipeline from discovery through development to commercial launch.
Leveraging technical expertise in characterization, partnering with other development scientists to deeply understand our products and processes, participating on cross-functional technical teams and contributing to interdepartmental initiatives.
Building a strong network internally and across the external academic and regulatory community.
Contributing to a culture of scientific excellence, develop a compliance mindset, and collaborate with partners and stakeholders across our company's network.