Job Description

The PDMB Regulated Bioanalytics Department is seeking a Scientist for the Molecular Lab team within the Late Development (AdVAnce) Vaccines bioanalytical group located at our company's new state-of-the-art AdVAnce GxP research facility in West Point, PA. At this new facility, we will combine the power of innovative robotics, IT platforms, and science to accelerate vaccines and enable late-stage clinical trials through the generation of timely, high-quality regulated bioanalytical data. A combination of molecular (e.g., PCR), serology (e.g., ligand binding immunoassays), and cell-based assays (e.g., neutralization assays) will be utilized to generate pivotal safety and efficacy clinical patient data required for regulatory filings. As the AdVAnce facility will not be fully constructed and ready for occupancy until 2026, initial roles will complete training and perform work primarily at our company's Springhouse Innovation Park facility in Lower Gwynedd Township, PA.

The primary role of the successful candidate will be to optimize, validate, and implement molecular-based bioanalytical assays in support of late-stage vaccine programs. The individual will support all aspects of assay development on robotic platforms, technology transfer, validation, troubleshooting, and phase III sample testing support. The ideal candidate will have solid laboratory experience in the field of molecular biology, deploying primarily PCR based bioanalytical assays in a GxP setting to drive clinical studies forward

Education Minimum Requirement

• B.A./B.S. in Biology, Immunology, Molecular Biology, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or related discipline with at 3 years of industry experience or an M.S. Degree in the same areas

Responsibilities

• Support the design, implementation, and validation of molecular biology based methods including PCR, qPCR, DNA extraction, and related techniques
• Perform laboratory activities for method optimization, troubleshooting, and clinical sample analysis within a GxP laboratory
• Develop expertise with laboratory automation (e.g., robotic platforms, liquid handlers) to drive end-to-end fully automated assay to support late-stage clinical testing
• Ensure the timely delivery of high quality clinical bioanalytical data
• Ensure high quality documentation of laboratory processes and data to ensure compliance with existing regulatory regulation and departmental SOPs

Required Experience & Skills

• Experience with molecular assays such as PCR, qPCR, multiplexed PCR assays, and DNA extractions.
• Experience optimizing, validating, and using molecular assays in support of non-clinical and/or clinical studies
• Critical thinking and good trouble-shooting skills
• Adherence to basic safety procedures in a BSL2 laboratory
• Experience operating in a GxP laboratory
• Good verbal and written communication
• Ability to follow procedures and thoroughly document experiments
• Capable of working independently, with limited supervision, under project timelines
• Strong attention to detail with the ability to multi-task and handle multiple responsibilities simultaneously

Preferred Experience & Skills

• Experience with next-generation sequencing (NGS) and/or other DNA sequencing assays
• Familiarity with liquid handlers and other automation platforms for sample preparation and assay process
• Experience with Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS), electronic laboratory notebooks, and other scientific applications

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Current Employees apply HERE

Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

US and Puerto Rico Residents Only:

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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.

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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

$85,600.00 - $134,800.00

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:

No relocation

VISA Sponsorship:

Yes

Travel Requirements:

10%

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Not Applicable

Shift:

Not Indicated

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

n/a

Required Skills:

Assay, Bioanalysis, Communication, Data Analysis, Detail-Oriented, GxPs, Immunology, Laboratory Automation, Laboratory Documentation, Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS), Molecular Biology, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)

Preferred Skills:

Clinical Testing, Next Generation Sequencing (NGS), Robotic Liquid Handlers, Sample Analysis

Job Posting End Date:

09/25/2025

*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.