Principal Scientist, Analytical R&D

Job Description

Our team in West Point, Pennsylvania, in the Vaccine Analytical Research & Development department is seeking a Principal Scientist who is passionate about developing analytical solutions that enable and accelerate process and product development and manufacturing while ensuring product safety and quality.

This Principal Scientist role will support analytical method development within the High-throughput analytical team and act as a strategic partner across our Bioprocess, Formulation, Analytical, and Discovery teams, advocating the adoption of various automation systems to enhance efficiency, speed, and capacity. In this lab-based role, the candidate will focus on designing analytical strategies to develop high-throughput methods for vaccine characterization and to support process and product development.

Duties may include developing immune-based antibody-binding assays (ELISA), viral infectivity cell-based assays, and other classic biochemistry-style methods. The role also involves supporting method qualification and validation, preparing GxP documents, troubleshooting equipment, transferring methods between automated platforms, and functioning as an assay/program lead.

Some of the main responsibilities include:

• Providing scientific, automation, and operational strategy across teams responsible for developing high-throughput methods for vaccine process development and clinical manufacturing.

• Provides mentorship, technical oversight, and strategic guidance to employees.  Potentially manages a small group of individual contributors or analytical projects.

• Represent the functional area in cross-functional and strategic teams engaged in novel vaccine development. Coordinate with internal digital technology teams to assist in translating automation designs into operational, user-ready solutions.  Actively interacts with internal and external counterparts.

• Authors required regulatory and technical documentation. Ensure that process/products are developed and documented according to our company's standard practices.

• Maintain a strong internal and external network and engage effectively with automation vendors and regulatory stakeholders, while promoting a culture of scientific excellence.

• Establishing future automation and operational strategies while incorporating new technologies into the laboratories.

Education Minimum Requirements:

• Ph.D. in analytical chemistry, molecular biology, cell biology, virology or related field with a minimum of 8 years of relevant experience; OR M.S. with a minimum of 10 years of experience; OR Bachelor's with a minimum of 15 years of experience in the Pharmaceutical Industry.

Requirements:

• Demonstrated expertise in analytics for a wide variety of large molecules, including recombinant proteins, virus-like particles, and viral vaccines. Specializing in assay development within an automation-focused team, with a proven track record in assay lifecycle, including validation and transfer, to support clinical release of vaccines.

• Strong understanding of automation technologies and experience developing and implementing laboratory automation strategies.

• Expertise in driving technological advancements to improve efficiency and productivity through both physical laboratory automation and digital strategies. Knowledge to align these strategies with pipeline/business objectives and identify opportunities for implementation. 

• Demonstrated ability to collaborate with stakeholders, including scientists and IT/technology experts, to ensure workflow/digital solutions meet business needs and requirements.     

• Advocated for the adoption of automation and operational excellence in high-throughput analysis through effective management of resources and instrumentation, by prioritizing testing requirements, fostering collaboration, and sharing a comprehensive vision for training and development across a diverse talent pool.

• Ability to manage a portfolio of projects effectively and multitask in a highly dynamic environment, and influence cross-functional teams in a professional and positive manner.

Preferred Experience and Skills:

• Proven ability to direct the development of new, innovative approaches, demonstrated by experience with new assay or robotic technology evaluation and shaping scientific strategy at both the platform and program level.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and an ability to excel in a team-based environment.

#AR&D

Required Skills:

Analytical Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Analytical Method Development, Assay, Assay Development, Automation Systems Design, Bioanalytical Analysis, Business Management, Business Planning, Cell Physiology, Chromatographic Techniques, Clinical Judgment, Cross-Functional Teamwork, Dosage Forms, Ethical Compliance, Immunochemistry, Laboratory Automation, Liquid Chromatography (LC), Matrix Management, Mentoring Staff, Method Validation, Molecular Biology, Personal Initiative, Project Portfolio Management (PPM), Stability Testing {+ 2 more}

Preferred Skills:

Current Employees apply HERE

Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

US and Puerto Rico Residents Only:

Our company is committed to inclusion, ensuring that candidates can engage in a hiring process that exhibits their true capabilities. Please click here if you need an accommodation during the application or hiring process.

As an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, we provide equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.  As a federal contractor, we comply with all affirmative action requirements for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.  For more information about personal rights under the U.S. Equal Opportunity Employment laws, visit:

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We are proud to be a company that embraces the value of bringing together, talented, and committed people with diverse experiences, perspectives, skills and backgrounds. The fastest way to breakthrough innovation is when people with diverse ideas, broad experiences, backgrounds, and skills come together in an inclusive environment. We encourage our colleagues to respectfully challenge one another’s thinking and approach problems collectively.

Learn more about your rights, including under California, Colorado and other US State Acts

U.S. Hybrid Work Model

Effective September 5, 2023, employees in office-based positions in the U.S. will be working a Hybrid work consisting of three total days on-site per week, Monday - Thursday, although the specific days may vary by site or organization, with Friday designated as a remote-working day, unless business critical tasks require an on-site presence.This Hybrid work model does not apply to, and daily in-person attendance is required for, field-based positions; facility-based, manufacturing-based, or research-based positions where the work to be performed is located at a Company site; positions covered by a collective-bargaining agreement (unless the agreement provides for hybrid work); or any other position for which the Company has determined the job requirements cannot be reasonably met working remotely. Please note, this Hybrid work model guidance also does not apply to roles that have been designated as “remote”.

The salary range for this role is

$156,900.00 - $247,000.00

This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. An employee’s position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, geographic location, government requirements, and business or organizational needs.

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.

You can apply for this role through https://jobs.merck.com/us/en (or via the Workday Jobs Hub if you are a current employee). The application deadline for this position is stated on this posting.

San Francisco Residents Only: We will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records for employment in compliance with the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance

Los Angeles Residents Only: We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance

Search Firm Representatives Please Read Carefully 
Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, Rahway, NJ, USA, does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. All CVs / resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at our company without a valid written search agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of our company.  No fee will be paid in the event a candidate is hired by our company as a result of an agency referral where no pre-existing agreement is in place. Where agency agreements are in place, introductions are position specific. Please, no phone calls or emails. 

Employee Status:

Regular

Relocation:

Domestic

VISA Sponsorship:

No

Travel Requirements:

10%

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Not Applicable

Shift:

Not Indicated

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

n/a

Job Posting End Date:

04/30/2026

*A job posting is effective until 11:59:59PM on the day BEFORE the listed job posting end date. Please ensure you apply to a job posting no later than the day BEFORE the job posting end date.

Global pharmaceutical company known for oncology, vaccines, and infectious disease treatments. Headquartered in Rahway, NJ.

merck.com