Development Scientist

MSD Careers•Gaithersburg, MD

About The Position

The Development Scientist develops, plans, and executes research and product development projects in coordination with team members and managers. The role designs and executes experiments and analyzes data to advance product development and research goals. It may supervise others directly or across interdisciplinary teams. The position works in a laboratory environment with chemical reagents and may involve Biosafety Level 2 work, including handling BSL-2 materials and organisms such as human blood or blood products. Up to 70% of the workday may be spent at a laboratory bench.

Requirements

Minimum of 4 years of hands-on laboratory experience.
Experience analyzing data.
Training and experience with BSL-2 techniques.
Strong scientific fundamentals and analytical background.
Problem-solving ability and ability to organize and advance project tasks in a structured manner.
Leadership skills and demonstrated knowledge of staff management practices and processes, including establishing accountabilities and expectations and managing performance.
Ability to gather and evaluate complex data and information, then develop recommendations and plans of action.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, including document preparation, public speaking, and presentations.
Attention to detail and commitment to excellence and performance.
Excellent organizational, planning, and time-management skills, including managing changing priorities and meeting time-sensitive deadlines.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook), GraphPad Prism, and SharePoint.
Strong knowledge of statistics.
Ability to sit and stand for long periods; occasionally walk, use hands and fingers to operate or handle objects, tools, or controls, and reach with hands and arms.
Ability to work at heights above four feet on occasion and move or lift up to 25 pounds.

Nice To Haves

Ph.D. in Life Sciences, Engineering, or a related field; a Master's degree may be considered with additional years of independent and productive research or development experience, and a Bachelor's degree may be considered with additional years of experience, including at least 6 years of hands-on experience with the MSD platform.
Additional postdoctoral or industrial experience.
Experience developing immunoassays in an industrial environment.
Supervisory or management experience.
Strong publication record.
Creative, collaborative, proactive, and self-motivated approach to completing assigned tasks.

Responsibilities

Develop, design, and execute experiments supporting research, feasibility, product development, and qualification efforts.
Prepare experimental procedures; maintain laboratory notebooks; and prepare procedures and batch/test records for product development and research.
Analyze data using appropriate software, including statistical analyses, and prepare tables and graphs to highlight findings.
Present findings, analyses, issues, and solutions to peer groups and managers, and recommend whether projects should advance.
Troubleshoot and optimize experiments, and communicate issues and solutions to managers.
Conduct literature and market research on new research or product areas.
Procure reagents and equipment needed for experiments.
Establish and monitor direct-report performance and development goals; assign accountabilities, set objectives and priorities, and provide ongoing feedback and recognition.
Prepare or support invention disclosures, patent applications, grant proposals, posters, and papers.
Work cross-functionally with other business units on projects, products, and associated deliverables.
Understand, follow, and enforce laboratory safety precautions to ensure compliance with company safety policies.