Director of Mass Spectrometry, AR&D

Merck & Co. • Rahway, NJ

274d • $169,700 - $267,200 • Onsite

About The Position

The Analytical Enabling Capabilities Department has an exciting opportunity for a Director of Mass Spectrometry (MS). The MS Lead provides strategic and technical leadership for MS capabilities across our organization's network. This includes MS capabilities for drug discovery and process development across small molecules, biologics, and vaccines and implementing new technologies and platforms to benefit partners across Discovery, Process Development, and Pre-Clinical Development. The Director reports to the Executive Director, Structural Elucidation and Characterization, and will be directly responsible for a team of 15-20 senior and associate-level scientists. The position is accountable for delivering MS methodologies and platforms to enable deep structural understanding of drug substances and products across modalities from Discovery through Development, Commercial launch, and into Supply for extended characterization methods. We aim to provide modality agonistic characterization to solve urgent questions arising across the entire pipeline through conformational dynamics and structure elucidation, as well as delivery of structure and quantification of molecules, intermediates, and degradation products to identify potential critical quality attributes. The incumbent must be able to set strategy and enhance the implementation of MS methodologies across our organization's network. They will be responsible for all aspects of people management and talent development for personnel under their supervision. The role will also be responsible for proactive resourcing planning, risk assessment strategies, and budget management as necessary. The Director, Mass Spectrometry Lead, is expected to maintain a strong external network across the academic community and advance an internal culture of scientific excellence and collaboration.

Requirements

• PhD in Analytical Chemistry, Biochemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or related fields with at least 7 years of pharmaceutical industry experience; or a Master's Degree with at least 10 years; or a Bachelor's Degree with at least 12 years.
• Strong team player with excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills.
• People management experience.
• In-depth mass spectrometry expertise and experience.
• Experience in prioritization, resource management, and proactive identification and escalation of risk.
• Demonstrated track record of taking initiative, creative problem-solving, and innovation.
• Strong ability to deliver complex objectives under aggressive timelines.
• Demonstrated technical or operational leadership with significant and measurable project impact.
• Strong mentorship skills and a demonstrated ability to develop talent.

Nice To Haves

• Thorough working knowledge of GMPs, ICH, and relevant FDA guidelines.
• Established reputation as a leader in the MS or CMC-related fields.
• Strong track record of publication and scientific impact.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and technical leadership for MS capabilities across the organization's network.
• Deliver MS methodologies and platforms for drug discovery and process development.
• Manage a team of 15-20 senior and associate-level scientists.
• Set strategy and enhance the implementation of MS methodologies.
• Oversee people management and talent development.
• Conduct proactive resourcing planning and risk assessment strategies.
• Manage budget as necessary.
• Maintain a strong external network across the academic community.
• Advance an internal culture of scientific excellence and collaboration.

Benefits

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

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Industry: Chemical Manufacturing
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree