Executive Director, Head of Biocatalysis

Merck•Rahway, NJ

6d•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

Responsibilities

Driving industry-leading innovations in biocatalysis
Leadership of biocatalysis, protein engineering and microbial fermentation activities
Partnering across Small Molecule Process R&D and Manufacturing Division
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 to establish and maintain industry-leading biocatalysis, protein engineering and fermentation teams
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
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
Improving existing workflows and direct new applications of this critical capability across our company's portfolio
Direct the preparation of and approve disclosures prepared within their department to be used as the basis for patent applications, publications and external presentations
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
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
Serve as the sponsor of the Protein Engineering and Microbial Infrastructure capital project
Establishing, recommending, and maintaining R&D outside contracts, including grants, fellowships, and consultants in expressed fields of activity
Cultivating strong relationships with key opinion leaders and top academics in their field