Job Description

Upstream Senior Scientist – Continuous & Expression Technologies

The Continuous & Expression Technologies (CET) Group within the Process Research & Development, Enabling Technologies department is seeking highly motivated and creative individuals to positively impact our company’s manufacturing platforms in vaccines. Specifically, CET is seeking a Senior Scientist specializing in cell culture to innovate and build the next generation vaccine manufacturing technologies.

CET group is tasked with identifying, developing, and deploying continuous manufacturing tools with the aim of advancing our company path towards a common mission of delivering medicines to patients. As a member of our group, you will contribute to scientific innovation, evaluate and implement enabling technologies. Valued skills within the group are knowledge of cell culture processes, cell physiology, metabolic activity for process engineering, strategies for process intensification, and process analytical technologies (PAT).

We are actively looking for individuals with passion and knowledge of upstream process development in vaccines. CET group strives to create an environment to foster creativity, collaboration, to actively publish, and to engage with the scientific community to influence the field.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develop innovative and disruptive technologies for next-generation vaccine manufacturing processes

• Design and conduct lab and/or pilot-scale studies to evaluate and implement novel upstream technologies into pipeline

• Apply rigorous scientific principles and data analyses to solve challenging problems related to developing robust, cost-effective processes

• Work with a collaborative, cross-functional team of talented scientists and engineers to advance the vaccines pipeline from early- to late-stage development

• Train and mentor junior scientists in experimental design, execution, and data interpretation

• Demonstrate leadership in laboratories’ safety and compliance

MINIMUM EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS:

• B.S. with 4 years experience, or

• M.S. with 3 years experience or

• PhD or expected PhD graduation by December 2025 in Chemical Engineering, Biochemical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Biotechnology, Biochemistry, Biology, Microbiology, or related fields

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS:

• Knowledge of recombinant protein expression, metabolic pathways, biochemistry, and cell culture

• Understanding of basic bioreactor principles, mass transfer kinetics

• A proven ability to design and execute hands-on lab and/or in silico experiments

• Proficiency with statistical design and analysis tools

• Excellent communication skills, ability to work in matrixed teams and collaborate with diverse partners cross-functionally

• A demonstrated ability to think critically with excellent problem solving and troubleshooting skills

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS:

• Evaluating and introducing novel technologies and analytical tools in process development and manufacturing

• Record external presentations and/or publications in peer-reviewed journals

• Data science, modeling, machine learning, artificial intelligence

• Knowledge of protein biochemistry, biophysics, conjugation techniques

• Vector construction, Genetic Engineering, and Systems Biology

• Knowledge of cell-line development for protein expression in mammalian systems and suspension cell culture

• High throughput experimentation using automation platforms

• Familiarity with feed and media development for large-scale recombinant protein expression in mammalian systems

• Knowledge of Quality by Design, Process Characterization and Control Strategy development

To learn more about the PRD team, click: Join Our Process Research & Development Team.

#eligibleforERP

PRD

Required Skills:

Accountability, Accountability, Adaptability, Biomedical Engineering, Bioprocessing, Cell Cultures, Cell Physiology, Chemical Engineering, Communication, Cross-Functional Teamwork, Data Analysis, Data Science, Design, Dispensing Pharmacy, Drug Delivery Technology, Flow Cytometry, Genetic Engineering, High-Throughput Screening, Innovative Thinking, Interpersonal Relationships, Mammalian Cell Culture, Microbiology, Molecular Biology Techniques, Multi-Color Flow Cytometry, Preformulation {+ 4 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:

EEOC Know Your Rights

EEOC GINA Supplement​

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

$114,700.00 - $180,500.00

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:

Yes

Travel Requirements:

No Travel Required

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Not Applicable

Shift:

Not Indicated

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

n/a

Job Posting End Date:

10/15/2025

*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.