Executive Director, Head of Biocatalysis

MSD • Rahway, NJ

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

Responsible for driving industry-leading innovations in biocatalysis that are implemented to enable world class commercial processes for new products at first filing. The scope includes leadership of our biocatalysis, protein engineering and microbial fermentation activities with close partnering across Small Molecule Process R&D and our Manufacturing Division colleagues to complete process characterization, technology transfer to commercial manufacturing sites and if relevant authoring of regulatory filing submissions. Nature and Scope of Position: Reports to the head of Small Molecule Process R&D. The role serves as a member on various cross functional strategic teams that include the Process R&D extended leadership team, the Enzyme ITRT (integrated technical realization team) and the Small Molecule Process R&D Scientific Advisory Committee. The department head participates in network wide activities within Process R&D for setting strategic direction, prioritizing allocation of resources and managing budgets to align actions with strategy. Supervises 4 Directors and a scientific lead, and through them, approximately 50 scientists who work closely within multidisciplinary teams comprised of process chemists and engineers as well as external research partners (both academic and industrial). They maintain a strong external network in their filed sponsoring strategic investments/partnerships with external parties. Responsible for the appraisal and development of personnel under their supervision. Selects, trains, and effectively recommends transfers, merit increases, promotions, and closures of personnel under their direction within the framework of Company policy. The incumbent is accountable for driving scientific excellence and innovation to establish and maintain industry-leading biocatalysis, protein engineering and fermentation teams. They will be responsible for problem selection across their team for the application of protein engineering of enzymes used as biocatalysts and therapeutic proteins to support our company's Pipeline from Discovery to Commercial launch across small molecules and cross-modality assets. The incumbent is responsible for advancing a culture of scientific excellence and identifying how to execute on current pipeline opportunities with existing capabilities, while inventing disruptive methods to improve upon these capabilities to enable the pipeline of the future. They seek out ways to improve existing workflows and direct new applications of this critical capability across our company's portfolio. The incumbent works closely with other members of the Small Molecule Process R&D Leadership Team to maximize our impact via shared priorities. They direct the preparation of and approve disclosures prepared within their department to be used as the basis for patent applications, publications and external presentations. The successful incumbent will lead end-to-end development invention of enzymes used as biocatalysts from initial discovery and directed evolution through fermentation development for production, piloting and eventual manufacturing. They will excel in collaborating with partner groups within our Manufacturing Division to establish robust supply chains to ensure new enzyme manufacturing processes successfully transfer to manufacturing sites in preparation for first launch. They will also serve as the sponsor of the Protein Engineering and Microbial Infrastructure capital project in-line with the significant capital investment being made across the company, ensuring the organization is ready-for-science in the new facility across 2-3Q 2027. Establishes, recommends, and maintains R&D outside contracts, including grants, fellowships, and consultants in expressed fields of activity. Is expected to cultivate strong relationships with key opinion leaders and top academics in their field.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in chemistry, biology, biochemistry, chemistry, bioprocess engineering, chemical engineering or related pharmaceutical science is required.
• 10+ years drug substance experience and demonstrated ability in leading a research team.
• Demonstrated leadership in driving scientific excellence, translating breakthroughs in fundamental science to afford world class API manufacturing processes
• Must have excellent interpersonal, communication, and collaboration skills and strength in delivering results on firm deadlines.
• Must be recognized in the pharmaceutical industry, through a strong track record of peer-reviewed publications and external research presentations.
• Strong external influence across academic, industrial and regulatory agencies world-wide
• Analytical Method Development
• Bioanalytical Analysis
• Biochemistry
• Cell Engineering
• Chemical Biology
• Collaborative Communications
• Decision Making
• Diversity and Inclusion (D&I)
• Ethical Compliance
• Fermentations
• Immunochemistry
• Innovation
• Leadership
• Management Process
• Mentoring Staff
• People Leadership
• Professional Networking
• Protein Engineering
• R&D Engineering
• Regulatory Submissions
• Strategic Planning
• Strategic Thinking
• Structure Based Drug Discovery
• Synthetic Chemistry

Nice To Haves

• Current Employees apply HERE
• Current Contingent Workers apply HERE
• US and Puerto Rico Residents Only: Our company is committed to inclusion, ensuring that candidates can engage in a hiring process that exhibits their true capabilities. Please click here if you need an accommodation during the application or hiring process.
• As an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, we provide equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.
• As a federal contractor, we comply with all affirmative action requirements for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.
• For more information about personal rights under the U.S. Equal Opportunity Employment laws, visit: EEOC Know Your Rights EEOC GINA Supplement
• We are proud to be a company that embraces the value of bringing together, talented, and committed people with diverse experiences, perspectives, skills and backgrounds. The fastest way to breakthrough innovation is when people with diverse ideas, broad experiences, backgrounds, and skills come together in an inclusive environment. We encourage our colleagues to respectfully challenge one another’s thinking and approach problems collectively.
• Learn more about your rights, including under California, Colorado and other US State Acts
• U.S. Hybrid Work Model Effective September 5, 2023, employees in office-based positions in the U.S. will be working a Hybrid work consisting of three total days on-site per week, Monday - Thursday, although the specific days may vary by site or organization, with Friday designated as a remote-working day, unless business critical tasks require an on-site presence.This Hybrid work model does not apply to, and daily in-person attendance is required for, field-based positions; facility-based, manufacturing-based, or research-based positions where the work to be performed is located at a Company site; positions covered by a collective-bargaining agreement (unless the agreement provides for hybrid work); or any other position for which the Company has determined the job requirements cannot be reasonably met working remotely. Please note, this Hybrid work model guidance also does not apply to roles that have been designated as “remote”.
• San Francisco Residents Only: We will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records for employment in compliance with the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance
• Los Angeles Residents Only: We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance
• Search Firm Representatives Please Read Carefully Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, Rahway, NJ, USA, does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. All CVs / resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at our company without a valid written search agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of our company. No fee will be paid in the event a candidate is hired by our company as a result of an agency referral where no pre-existing agreement is in place. Where agency agreements are in place, introductions are position specific. Please, no phone calls or emails.
• Employee Status: Regular
• Relocation: No relocation
• VISA Sponsorship: No
• Travel Requirements: 10%
• Flexible Work Arrangements: Hybrid
• Shift: 1st - Day
• Valid Driving License: No
• Hazardous Material(s): N/A
• Job Posting End Date: 03/12/2026
• A job posting is effective until 11:59:59PM on the day BEFORE the listed job posting end date. Please ensure you apply to a job posting no later than the day BEFORE the job posting end date.

Responsibilities

• Driving industry-leading innovations in biocatalysis
• Leadership of biocatalysis, protein engineering and microbial fermentation activities
• Complete process characterization
• Technology transfer to commercial manufacturing sites
• Authoring of regulatory filing submissions
• Setting strategic direction
• Prioritizing allocation of resources
• Managing budgets to align actions with strategy
• Appraisal and development of personnel
• Driving scientific excellence and innovation
• Problem selection for the application of protein engineering of enzymes used as biocatalysts and therapeutic proteins
• Advancing a culture of scientific excellence
• Improving existing workflows and direct new applications
• Direct the preparation of and approve disclosures
• Lead end-to-end development invention of enzymes used as biocatalysts
• Collaborating with partner groups within our Manufacturing Division
• Serve as the sponsor of the Protein Engineering and Microbial Infrastructure capital project
• Establishes, recommends, and maintains R&D outside contracts
• Cultivate strong relationships with key opinion leaders and top academics

Benefits

• We offer a comprehensive package of benefits.
• Available benefits include medical, dental, vision healthcare and other insurance benefits (for employee and family), retirement benefits, including 401(k), paid holidays, vacation, and compassionate and sick days.
• More information about benefits is available at https://jobs.merck.com/us/en/compensation-and-benefits

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree