Senior Scientist, Automation & Informatics

Merck•Rahway, NJ

2d•$117,000 - $184,200•Onsite

About The Position

The Screening & Compound Profiling group at our Research Laboratories site in Rahway, NJ, is seeking a highly motivated Automation Scientist to join our Automation & Informatics team in the Screening and Compound Profiling group. The successful candidate will be responsible for independently operating automated systems to execute a variety of biochemical and cell-based assays accurately and efficiently, while ensuring the integrity, traceability, and quality of the data generated. The individual will play a key role in maintaining, troubleshooting, and optimizing automated systems and workflows to expand and enhance capabilities for target and lead discovery across therapeutic areas, including oncology, immunology, neuroscience, cardiometabolic, and infectious disease. The successful candidate is expected to apply strong technical judgment to identify workflow issues, troubleshoot complex hardware and process problems, and implement improvements that increase reliability, efficiency, and scalability of screening operations. The individual will also work with data visualization tools to effectively analyze and present experimental results, enabling clear insights and decision-making from complex datasets. In addition, this individual will collaborate closely with scientists and engineers to support the implementation of new assays and workflows on automation platforms and may provide training or technical guidance to colleagues as needed. The individual will work within our team of scientists and engineers as part of a high-performance culture that values collaboration, inclusion, engagement, and accountability.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field required (Biology, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Biomedical Engineering, or similar) with approximately 10 years of relevant experience in a laboratory automation environment (industry or equivalent academic/biotech experience).
Or an advanced degree (M.S.) with approximately 7 years of relevant experience in a laboratory automation environment (industry or equivalent academic/biotech experience).
Equivalent combination of education and relevant hands-on laboratory/automation experience will be considered.
Practical experience working with laboratory automation platforms used for HTS or similar high-throughput workflows (e.g., integrated robotic systems, liquid handlers, plate handlers, incubators).
Expertise with laboratory instrumentation such as low-volume bulk dispensers, acoustic sample transfer devices, and detectors in both standalone and integrated modes.
Experience supporting biochemical and/or cell-based assays and/or arrayed CRISPR screens within an HTS or screening context.
Demonstrated ability to independently coordinate and track preventive maintenance for complex instrumentation, including interaction with vendors or service providers.
Strong troubleshooting skills for automation hardware, basic software issues, and workflow-level problems in a laboratory environment, with the ability to identify root causes and implement effective solutions.
Demonstrated ability to optimize automated workflows and improve operational efficiency, reliability, and robustness in a screening environment.
High attention to detail and commitment to data quality, documentation, and adherence to SOPs and standardized workflows.
Ability to manage multiple concurrent requests, prioritize work effectively, and operate with a high degree of independence to meet agreed timelines.
Effective communication and collaboration skills to work closely with scientists, automation colleagues, and other stakeholders involved in screening campaigns.
Ability to provide technical guidance and training to colleagues as needed.

Nice To Haves

Experience with HighRes integrated automation platforms running Cellario Scheduler.
Experience with Beckman Access systems running Tempo scheduling software.
Experience with Mosaic Sample Management platform including Tempo Fulfillment Module (TFM).
Ability to assess and apply emerging technologies, including agentic AI, to streamline laboratory workflows, identify process improvement opportunities, and enhance the efficiency, robustness, and scalability of screening operations.

Responsibilities

Independently operate automated systems to execute a variety of biochemical and cell-based assays accurately and efficiently.
Ensure the integrity, traceability, and quality of the data generated.
Maintain, troubleshoot, and optimize automated systems and workflows.
Apply strong technical judgment to identify workflow issues and troubleshoot complex hardware and process problems.
Implement improvements that increase reliability, efficiency, and scalability of screening operations.
Work with data visualization tools to effectively analyze and present experimental results.
Collaborate closely with scientists and engineers to support the implementation of new assays and workflows on automation platforms.
Provide training or technical guidance to colleagues as needed.