Assoc. Scientist, Biocatalysis (Onsite)

MSD • Rahway, NJ

4d • Onsite

About The Position

The Biocatalysis department, part of the Small Molecule Process Research and Development organization in Rahway, New Jersey, is seeking highly motivated individuals who are looking for an opportunity to work in a fast-paced environment that provides a high degree of technical responsibility. The mission of the group is to invent, develop, and implement biomolecules and biocatalytic processes to advance our company's pipeline and our impact on the scientific community. The successful candidate will perform hands-on chemical process development using enzymes at scales spanning the range from high-throughput laboratory scale to preparative scale. Under scientific and administrative direction, they will design, plan, and execute experiments to identify useful enzymatic transformations, determine improvements in enzyme variants, and develop enzyme-catalyzed chemical processes. As part of project teams, the scientist will work with chemists and engineers to evaluate and develop novel methods of implementing enzymes in chemical reactions. The scientist will be expected to exhibit a mindset of safety and quality compliance and contribute to laboratory operations. The successful candidate will be required to communicate regularly, clearly, and with confidence as they discuss technical challenges, support laboratory operations, and interface with colleagues within and beyond our department. High levels of innovation, rigor, and self-initiative along with the ability to plan and organize activities are expected. The successful candidate will join a diverse group of innovative scientists that are driving the next revolution in bioengineering.

Requirements

• Experience safely performing laboratory-based research or process development in a biocatalysis-related area.
• Highly effective communication skills in-person, in writing, and via presentation.
• Strong organizational, interpersonal collaboration, and time management skills.
• Keen attention to detail and the ability to follow established procedures, policies, and guidelines required to comply with safety, environmental, and GMP expectations in the laboratory and in notebook documentation.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with organic chemical synthesis at the bench including running experiments, analyzing data, and preparing presentations and reports on experimental results and conclusions.
• Familiarity with process scale-up, moving from high-throughput to preparative scale.
• Experience with a variety of analytical techniques, such as liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and process analytical tools such as those associated with Mettler Toledo EasyMax.
• Experience applying statistics to data analysis and to experimental design (i.e., Design of Experiments); experience in process modeling (e.g., kinetics).
• Experience with enzyme characterization techniques.
• Experience with biocatalysis-related technology development.

Responsibilities

• Perform hands-on chemical process development using enzymes at scales spanning the range from high-throughput laboratory scale to preparative scale.
• Design, plan, and execute experiments to identify useful enzymatic transformations, determine improvements in enzyme variants, and develop enzyme-catalyzed chemical processes.
• Work with chemists and engineers to evaluate and develop novel methods of implementing enzymes in chemical reactions.
• Exhibit a mindset of safety and quality compliance and contribute to laboratory operations.
• Communicate regularly, clearly, and with confidence to discuss technical challenges, support laboratory operations, and interface with colleagues.

Benefits

• 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
• long-term incentive

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree