Associate Scientist, Postdoctoral Fellow - Chemical Biology in Data Rich Experimentation (DRE)

Merck & Co.•Rahway, NJ

50d•$75,000 - $86,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Be a part of the legacy: Postdoctoral Research Fellow Program Our Research Laboratories' Postdoctoral Research Fellow Program aims to be a best-in-industry program for industrial postdoctoral researchers, designed to provide you with an academic focus in a commercial environment. With the resources, reach, and expertise of a large pharmaceutical company, postdoctoral researchers will be positioned to excel in an institution committed to breakthrough innovation in research and discovery. Position Overview: We are seeking a highly motivated our Research & Development Division Postdoctoral Research Fellow with expertise across biochemistry, chemical biology, and biophysics with a strong interest in high-throughput experimentation to join our Data Rich Experimentation (DRE) team within the Process Research & Development Enabling Technologies (PR D ET) organization Our DRE organization is responsible for the invention and application of new data-rich and digital tools to support the scientists across the Process Research & Development (PR D) organization at our company. We aspire to embed data-intensive technologies into the fabric of our company's process development culture. Further, we are tasked with helping solve complex process development challenges in an interdisciplinary, collaborative environment via invention, development, and application of cutting-edge tools. Our current areas of interest include high-throughput experimentation, bench-top automation, process modeling and simulation, kinetics and mechanism elucidation, process analytical technologies (PAT), machine learning and data science, digital tools, catalyst and ligand screening, and other process enabling technologies. Ultimately, using data-rich and digitally-fluent methodologies, we aim to elucidate a deeper understanding of our processes across small molecules, biologics, and vaccines. For this specific role as an our Research & Development Division Postdoctoral Research Fellow within Chemical Biology for DRE, the successful candidate will leverage state-of-the-art bioconjugation technologies and coupled enzyme assay methodologies to develop novel high-throughput approaches for monitoring RNA dynamics and secondary structure. The deployment of these tools will enable predictive model development for exploring RNA structure-function relationships. The successful candidate will work in close collaboration with scientists across our company to develop and apply these technologies and is expected to share their findings in high-impact, peer-reviewed publications and external presentations.

Requirements

Candidates must currently hold a Ph.D. or Ph.D completed within 6 months of hire in biochemistry, biophysics, organic chemistry, chemical or biological engineering, or a closely-related discipline.
Experience with UPLC-MS and fluorescence spectroscopy
Expertise in organic synthesis, biochemistry, and molecular biology techniques.
Proven ability to complete research projects, as evidenced by peer-reviewed publications and presentations.
Highly motivated with a clear attention to detail, including strong problem-solving and troubleshooting skills.
Ability to independently design experiments, interpret data, and incorporate data into new designs leading to successful experimental outcomes.
Exceptional communication and collaboration skills to effectively share their research and collaborate in cross-functional, multidisciplinary teams.

Nice To Haves

Experience working with RNA and cell-free systems.
Experience using python, R, or similar for high-throughput data analysis, modeling, and/or data mining.
Experience designing protein binding and activity assays, including utilization of associated instrumentation.

Responsibilities

Identify fluorescence reporter systems to enable multiplexed RNA dynamic and secondary structure characterization assays.
Develop and advance experimental approaches to efficiently generate bioconjugates in a site-specific and robust manner.
Develop and execute high-throughput assays to build informer data sets for RNA dynamics and secondary structure predictive software.
Apply state-of-the-art chemistry techniques, including high-throughput experimentation (HTE) and data-rich experimentation (DRE), to solve problems, gain mechanistic insight, and drive synthetic innovations.
Network with colleagues across our company and collaborate with adjacent functional areas (e.g., analytical, modeling and informatics).
Comply with company data retention and lab safety procedures and complete required training.
Author, contribute to, and review external publications and presentations.
Contribute to and participate in internal and external scientific symposiums, seminars, and conferences.