Senior Scientist, Vaccine Discovery

Merck • Upper Gwynedd Township, PA

3d • Hybrid

About The Position

We are seeking a highly motivated Senior Scientist to join our Infectious Disease and Vaccines team in Discovery Vaccines located in West Point, PA. Our team’s objective is to solve key challenges in developing and progressing vaccine candidates for viral targets. To help us achieve this goal, this individual should possess strong virological and immunological expertise, as well as knowledge and technical skills in immunoassays (ELISA, multi-parameter flow cytometry, tissue processing and cell culture. This role requires not only technical proficiency but also the ability to articulate ideas and collaborate effectively within a dynamic, multidisciplinary scientific team fostering a healthy work environment.

Requirements

• Ph.D. (with 2 years), Master's (with 5 years) or Bachelor's (with 8 years) in Immunology, Microbiology, Virology or related discipline and relevant experience
• Strong scientific and technical leadership skills
• Strong problem-solving and critical thinking skills
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
• High adaptability to a continuously evolving research landscape
• Experience with immunoassays, multi-parameter flow cytometry, tissue or PBMC processing or sterile culture and single cell RNA sequencing processing and/or analysis
• Hands on research experience within a BSL-2 environment
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) and graphing software (GraphPad Prism)
• Accountability
• Adaptability
• Assay Development
• Biochemical Assays
• Cell Cultures
• Cell Culture Techniques
• Cell Sorting
• Data Analysis
• Detail-Oriented
• Flow Cytometry
• High Content Screening
• Immunoassays
• Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cell (PBMC) Isolation
• RNA Sequencing
• Teamwork
• Tissue Cultures

Nice To Haves

• Viral vaccine research experience
• Experience in the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry
• Cell Sorting
• Experience with plaque and neutralization assays
• Vaccinations
• Vaccine Research
• Virology

Responsibilities

• Collaborating effectively in a fast-paced, integrated, multidisciplinary team environment, fostering open communication and collaboration
• Actively developing, optimizing and implementing immunoassays (such as flow cytometry, cell sorting, ELISA, Luminex, single cell RNA sequencing) for vaccine target antigens
• Evaluating samples via virological assays including plaque and neutralization assays
• Providing technical guidance to fellow scientists, promoting a collaborative and supportive environment
• Crafting technical documents and presentations for both internal discussions as well as external presentations and publications, and in support of regulatory submissions

Benefits

• medical, dental, vision healthcare and other insurance benefits (for employee and family)
• retirement benefits, including 401(k)
• paid holidays
• vacation
• compassionate and sick days

What This Job Offers

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