Senior Scientist, Vaccines Analytical Research & Development

Merck•Upper Gwynedd Township, PA

7d•Hybrid

About The Position

Our Research Scientists are our Inventors. We identify and target steps in disease mechanisms or pathways that could be inhibited or enhanced. Our goal is to isolate a compound that is effective against a disease target. Using innovative thinking, state-of-the-art facilities and robust scientific methodology we collaborate to discover the next medical breakthrough. We are seeking a Growth and Improvement minded Senior Vaccine Analytical Research & Development Scientist that can help drive our Strategic Operating Priorities. Invent | Pursue the Most Promising Internal and External Science to Address Significant Unmet Medical Needs Execute | Prioritize Resources Behind Our Key Growth Drivers (Oncology, Vaccines, Select Specialty Areas, Animal Health) While Optimizing Our Base Business) Adapt | Develop Our People, Culture and Business Model to Evolve with a Dynamic Landscape Talent | We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment with supporting leadership behaviors because having a high-performing, engaged workforce is critical to our ability to deliver innovative solutions to patients and customers around the world Values and Standards | Our Steadfast Commitment to Our Values and Standards will Continue to Guide Us as We Take on New Challenges and Will Always be Fundamental to Our Success – They are a Competitive Advantage for Us Summary, Focus and Supply We are seeking applicants for a Senior Scientist position to join our Vaccines Analytical Research and Development team located in West Point, PA. The Senior Scientist is a laboratory-based, scientific role tasked with solving complex analytical problems at the interface of biology, chemistry, and lab informatics disciplines to enable development of Vaccines. In this role, an individual will work with a team of scientists to develop state-of-the-art analytical techniques, such as separations of small molecules, polymers, proteins, conjugates and nanoparticles (FPLC, HPLC, CE), spectroscopic techniques (NMR, UV-VIS/IR/Fluorescence), virology, immunoassay and classical wet chemistry techniques. The individual should have knowledge of analytical techniques and molecular structure characterization. Lab automation and digital informatics is considered a plus. The candidate will work with a team of scientists applying analytical methods to support vaccine process development, formulation development, vaccine investigations, vaccine characterization, method qualifications and transfers. Experience leading small groups of technical personnel and analytical projects will aid in distinguishing candidates. Evidence of strong cross-functional collaboration in an academic or industrial setting is also preferred. Additionally, this individual must document the execution, procedure, results, and conclusions of experiments in a detailed and organized manner following ALCOA principles. In addition to analytical capabilities, the incumbent should have knowledge in protein chemistry, structural biology, and biochemistry with applications to biomolecules such as viruses, virus like particles, proteins, and DNA/RNA. The candidate must be able to prioritize and work in collaborative manner in a fast-paced, integrated, multidisciplinary team environment. Additional responsibilities include providing technical guidance to other scientists, evaluating new technologies, driving innovation to influence trends in industry, and preparing technical documents to support regulatory submissions. Applicants must be motivated to conduct research and publish.

Requirements

Work Independently and as a Team member with Integrity | Precision | Accomplishment | Motivational Ambition | Respect | Inclusion
In-depth knowledge and understanding of separation science (HPLC, CE, LC-MS, SDS-PAGE, & WB) demonstrated by publications
Extensive experience with chromatography or capillary separation methods (e.g. HPLC, CE, LC-MS) as demonstrated by method development and troubleshooting
A strong team player with excellent oral and written communication skills; ability to work both independently and cross-functionally for development of assays
Demonstrated scientific ability through publications and presentations in scientific conferences
Motivated to learn new skills, willingness to take on new challenges, and scientific curiosity

Nice To Haves

Evidence of strong cross-functional collaboration in an academic or industrial setting
Experience with automated laboratory instrumentation and analysis of large data sets
Experience with assay robustness evaluation and method qualifications, validations and transfers and familiar with relevant compendial guidelines (e.g., USP1220, ICH Q2/Q14)
Authoring and reviewing internal technical reports, sections of regulatory filings (e.g. IND, BLA) and external scientific publications
Strong ability to deliver complex objectives under aggressive timelines in a rapidly changing environment

Responsibilities

Work with a team of scientists to develop state-of-the-art analytical techniques, such as separations of small molecules, polymers, proteins, conjugates and nanoparticles (FPLC, HPLC, CE), spectroscopic techniques (NMR, UV-VIS/IR/Fluorescence), virology, immunoassay and classical wet chemistry techniques.
Applying analytical methods to support vaccine process development, formulation development, vaccine investigations, vaccine characterization, method qualifications and transfers.
Document the execution, procedure, results, and conclusions of experiments in a detailed and organized manner following ALCOA principles.
Providing technical guidance to other scientists, evaluating new technologies, driving innovation to influence trends in industry, and preparing technical documents to support regulatory submissions.
Conduct research and publish.