Sr. Scientist, Preclinical Dev.

Merck•Upper Gwynedd Township, PA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

Applications are sought for an opportunity in the Vaccine and Advanced Biotechnologies (VAX) Process R&D department, which is part of the our company's Research Labs division. The individual will support our company's downstream process development efforts for Vaccine programs at West Point, PA. Vaccines and Advanced Biotechnologies (VAX) Process R&D is responsible for the development and clinical manufacturing of Drug Substance (DS) and Drug Product Intermediates (DPI) for the vaccine and advanced therapy pipeline, spanning from preclinical to commercialization stages. Our vaccines downstream process development team develops safe, scalable, robust, cost-effective downstream processes that enable clinical and commercial manufacture of vaccines and adjuvants across all vaccine modalities. We are seeking an innovative, highly motivated, and experienced Senior Scientist to join us at our research and development site in West Point, PA. The candidate will be responsible for scientific/technical contributions and leadership of high-throughput process development (HTPD), and will also be a critical member of cross-functional program/project teams.

Requirements

BS, MS or PhD in engineering or bio/chemical sciences: Chemical Engineering, Bioengineering, Biomedical Engineering, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Biotechnology
For BS candidates, at least six (6) years of experience in a pharmaceutical or biotechnology-related position
For MS candidates, at least three (3) years of experience in a pharmaceutical or biotechnology-related position
For PhD candidates, at least one (1) year of experience in a pharmaceutical or biotechnology-related position
Relevant working experience in identifying and implementing HTPD solutions for application to large biomolecule process development (e.g. viral vectors, vaccines, therapeutic proteins).
A minimum of two (2) years’ experience in the process development of large biomolecules including vaccines or therapeutic proteins.
Strong computer skills, including proficiency in a general-purpose programming language (e.g. VB/VBA, Python, C++, Matlab), and/or strong expertise in laboratory automation (e.g. Tecan, Hamilton, HighRes) and related software and computational tools
Strong technical background in downstream (e.g. chromatography, membrane filtration operations, biochemistry reaction) unit operations for large biomolecules
Collaboration
Data Analysis
High-Throughput Screening
Problem Solving
Process Optimization

Nice To Haves

Direct experience with live virus operations and thorough knowledge of established safety practices for working with such organisms including hands-on experience with Biosafety Level 2 operations.
Experience and understanding of large biomolecule analytical techniques, including HPLC, biochemical mix-and-read assays, spectroscopic & microscopic imaging methods, etc.
Demonstrated project management skill
Leadership
Protein Purifications
Research and Development

Responsibilities

Serve as an individual scientific contributor to deliver high throughput process development (HTPD) solutions to process teams and to conduct microscale screening experiments as required to drive vaccine process development.
Contribute to a range of specific activities including, but not limited to: (1) developing HTPD workflows and associated high-throughput analytics; (2) driving screening experiments for reaction biochemistry, filtration and chromatography development; (3) identifying opportunities to utilize HTPD to enhance process understanding; (4) implementing and maintaining robotic systems with liquid-handling hardware and (5) programming of robotic systems, user interfaces, and automated data analysis operations.
Analysis of experiments through analytical techniques including HPLC, light scattering, and spectroscopy.
Data interpretation and presentation, manuscript/patent preparation.
Keep careful notes, comply with all required training, and maintain a focused attention on laboratory safety.