Associate Principal Scientist - Biophysical Characterization

Job Description

In April 2020, our Company announced plans to consolidate our New Jersey campuses into a single New Jersey headquarters location in Rahway, NJ in 2023 and 2024. Therefore, this role will be temporarily based in Kenilworth, NJ location and exact timing of the departmental move to Rahway, NJ will be communicated at a future date.

The Materials and Biophysical Characterization group is responsible for physical and biophysical characterization of our Company's development pipeline, inclusive of small molecules, biologics, and vaccines. The team is seeking a highly self-motivated and technically focused scientist with experience in biotherapeutics and materials characterization. As an Associate Principal Scientist, you will be responsible for physical characterization of biotherapeutics with focus on protein higher order structure and particles. You will be working in a collaborative team environment to support our Company's pipeline from discovery through development to commercial launch. You will be leveraging your technical expertise in characterization, partnering with other development scientists to deeply understand our products and processes, participating on cross-functional technical teams and contributing to interdepartmental initiatives. Additional expectations include building a strong network internally and across the external academic and regulatory community. Furthermore, the selected candidate will be expected to contribute to a culture of scientific excellence, develop a compliance mindset, and collaborate with partners and stakeholders across our company's network. The selected individual will have the opportunity to work with a wide array of scientists from our different divisions and make an impact on our Company's pipeline and our patients' lives.

Education Minimum Requirement:

• Bachelors in Biophysics, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Material Sciences, Biomedical Engineering, Pharmaceutical Sciences or related discipline with a minimum of 8 years relevant industrial experience
• Masters in Biophysics, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Material Sciences, Biomedical Engineering, Pharmaceutical Sciences or related discipline with a minimum of 6 years relevant industrial experience.
• Ph.D. in Biophysics, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Material Sciences, Biomedical Engineering, Pharmaceutical Sciences or related discipline with >3 years' experience.

Required Experience and Skills:

• Strong background in biophysical/biochemistry/physical chemistry/material sciences
• Self-motivated with an outstanding scientific track-record.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Track-record of independent problem-solving and application of advanced innovative scientific approaches.
• Desire and willingness to learn, contribute and mentor junior scientists in the group.
• Excellent organizational skills to multi-task and manage multiple projects.

Desired Experience and Skills:

• Experience with biophysical and biochemical techniques for biotherapeutics characterization.
• In-depth understanding of protein science, protein stability, and protein-protein interactions
• Rheological characterization of complex fluids or suspensions
• Experience with solid-state and solution characterization of small and large molecules
• Experience with formulation development and analytical method development.
• Experience with various modalities including mAbs, ADC, cytokine, fusion proteins, gene therapy, engineered cellular therapies

NOTICE FOR INTERNAL APPLICANTS

In accordance with Managers' Policy - Job Posting and Employee Placement, all employees subject to this policy are required to have a minimum of twelve (12) months of service in current position prior to applying for open positions.

If you have been offered a separation benefits package but have not yet reached your separation date and are offered a position within the salary and geographical parameters as set forth in the Summary Plan Description (SPD) of your separation package, then you are no longer eligible for your separation benefits package. To discuss in more detail, please contact your HRBP or Talent Acquisition Advisor.

Residents of Colorado

Click here to request this role's pay range.

Employees working in roles that the Company determines require routine collaboration with external stakeholders, such as customer-facing commercial, or research-based roles, will be expected to comply not only with Company policy but also with policies established by such external stakeholders (for example, a requirement to be vaccinated against COVID-19 in order to access a facility or meet with stakeholders). Please understand that, as permitted by applicable law, if you have not been vaccinated against COVID-19 and an essential function of your job is to call on external stakeholders who require vaccination to enter their premises or engage in face-to-face meetings, then your employment may pose an undue burden to business operations, in which case you may not be offered employment, or your employment could be terminated. Please also note that, where permitted by applicable law, the Company reserves the right to require COVID-19 vaccinations for positions, such as in Global Employee Health, where the Company determines in its discretion that the nature of the role presents an increased risk of disease transmission.

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We are proud to be a company that embraces the value of bringing diverse, talented, and committed people together. The fastest way to breakthrough innovation is when diverse ideas come together in an inclusive environment. We encourage our colleagues to respectfully challenge one another's thinking and approach problems collectively. We are an equal opportunity employer, committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace.

U.S. Hybrid Work Model

Effective September 5,2023 our U.S. Hybrid work model will be as follows: 1. Three total days on site per week: Tuesday and Wednesday - plus one additional day of choice based on what works best for organizations and/or teams. 2. Fridays will formally be a remote-working day unless business critical tasks require onsite presence.

Under New York City, Colorado State, Washington State, and California State law, the Company is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the salary range for this job. Final determinations with respect to salary will take into account a number of factors, which may include, but not be limited to the primary work location and the chosen candidate's relevant skills, experience, and education.

Expected salary range:
$130,960.00 - $206,200.00

Available benefits include bonus eligibility, health care and other insurance benefits (for employee and family), retirement benefits, paid holidays, vacation, and sick days. For Washington State Jobs, a summary of benefits is listed here.

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

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:

Travel Requirements:
10%

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Shift:

Valid Driving License:

Hazardous Material(s):

Requisition ID:R250848