Principal Scientist, Environmental & Process Safety Engineering

MSD

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Position Description: The Environmental & Process Safety Engineering (EPSE) group within the Chemical Engineering Research & Development department (CERD), part of the Process Research and Development (PR&D) organization, is seeking highly motivated individuals who are looking for an opportunity to work in a fast-paced job that provides a high degree of technical responsibility. This position will lead and carry out independent work conceiving, designing, planning, and implementing advanced small scale laboratory studies aimed at characterizing the hazards associated with the process and materials used to produce active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) and intermediates at all scales, from the laboratory to commercial manufacturing. Specific areas include thermal hazard assessment and potential for gas generation with a variety of calorimeters such as SuperCRC, Insight, EZMax and RC1, and modeling for scale-up. This role is a leadership role within EPSE and is an on-site position located in our Rahway, NJ location. This position requires expertise in laboratory instruments and techniques, managing the workflow of requests for testing and guidance, organizing collaboration to complete testing and issuing reports to document results. The individual in this position is expected to interpret and apply safety and environmental regulations and make scientific contributions to research programs of major importance to our Company's Research and Manufacturing Divisions. This position is seeking an individual who is a subject matter expert in the specific field of chemical process safety testing including scaleup experience from the laboratory to a pilot plant and/or a commercial site. As such, a deep understanding/exposure of organic chemistry and chemical engineering principles, and exposure to process safety and/or small molecule API scale-up is required. A high level of innovation and creativity are necessary to adapt to evolving technologies and tools. Also, a high level of self-initiative, attention to detail, and ownership along with the ability to plan and organize activities is expected. Successful candidates will be required to communicate regularly, clearly, and with confidence as they discuss technical problems, provide oversight to laboratory, pilot plant and commercial manufacturing operations, and interface with cross-functional colleagues such as chemistry, chemical engineering, facility and/or site EHS to influence process development and drive a safer process design. This leadership role for EPSE function is a scientific supervisor for several chemists and chemical engineers. This individual is expected to lead multiple projects simultaneously in EPSE to define commercial process by working with chemists and chemical engineers within PR&D in addition to other EPSE technology development assignments. As such, demonstrated multitasking skills are essential.

Requirements

The position requires either a BS and/or MS in Chemistry or Chemical/Biochemical Engineering (or comparable) from an accredited college/university plus at least 11 years of relevant work experience in process development, or a PhD in Chemistry or Chemical/Biochemical Engineering (or comparable) from an accredited college/university with at least 6 years of relevant work experience post PhD defense.
For BS/MS candidates, at least 11 years of relevant work experience post-graduation - OR – for PhD candidates with at least 6 years of relevant work experience post PhD defense, where relevant work experience would include the following:
Experience performing laboratory-based research/process development in process safety.
Experience with process scale-up and/or technology transfer, moving from laboratory to pilot plant or production scale.
Highly effective communication and collaboration skills.
Good organizational, interpersonal, writing, multitasking, and time management skills.
Project management experience.

Nice To Haves

Experience with thermal analysis techniques including differential scanning and reaction calorimetry.
Experience with evaluating process safety including risks of thermal decomposition, gas generation, vent sizing, static/conductivity, or dust explosivity; industrial hygiene risk assessments.
Experience with process and/or process safety modeling.
Experience with in-situ or off-line analytical techniques such as FTIR, Raman, and/or GC/HPLC
Scientific supervisory experience

Benefits

The successful candidate will be eligible for annual bonus and long-term incentive, if applicable.
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.

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