Associate Principal Scientist, Biologics Analytical Research & Development

Job Description

The Biologics Analytical Research & Development department of our Research & Development Division is seeking applicants for an Associate Principal Scientist position available at its Rahway, New Jersey research facility.  The Associate Principal Scientist is a laboratory-based scientific role tasked with solving complex analytical problems at the interface of biology, chemistry, and lab informatics disciplines to enable development of Biologics drug substances and drug products.  The successful candidate must function well and be able to collaborate in a fast-paced, integrated, multidisciplinary team environment.  The qualified candidate will be responsible for development, qualification, implementation, troubleshooting and transfer of analytical methods for monoclonal proteins or other complex therapeutic proteins. Responsibilities include development of new assay platforms, benchmarking current approaches/techniques to industry standards, and providing technical leadership of design of experiments and data interpretation.  Applicants must have effective organizational, multi-tasking, oral/written communications skills, show scientific leadership, and a desire to conduct research and publish.  Experience leading small groups of technical personnel and analytical projects will aid in distinguishing candidates.  Evidence of strong cross-functional collaboration in an academic or industrial setting is also preferred. 

Qualifications
 

Education:

• B.S. in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Engineering, Pharmaceuticals, or related field with 12 years of relevant experience; or Master's degree with 8 years of relevant experience; or Ph.D. with 4 years of relevant experience.

Required Experience and Skills:

• Strong background and experience in separations science

• Extensive experience with UPLC/HPLC analysis of biologics (e.g. SEC, RP, IEX)

• Extensive experience with process- and impurity-related residual assay development using molecular biology and immunoassay techniques

• Background in Analytical Methodologies and sound scientific understanding of Critical Quality Attributes/QbD/DOE principles as well as data analysis and statistics for setting specifications

• Ability to design, execute and/or direct the development and qualification of release, characterization, and stability assays for testing of clinical trial material and in support of product and process development

• A strong team player with excellent oral and written communication skills; ability to work both independently for development of assays and cross-functionally for successful transfer of assays. Plan assay optimization and documentation to meet program deadlines.

• Authoring and reviewing internal technical reports, sections of regulatory filings (e.g., IND, BLA) and external scientific publications.

• Experience with matrix management and peer to peer coaching

• Accurately and efficiently documentation of experiments

• Strong ability to deliver complex objectives under aggressive timelines in a rapidly changing environment.

Preferred Experience and Skills:

• Understanding of protein degradation mechanisms and link between analytical methodologies for analysis.

• Experience with qualification, validation, and transfer of assays to a GLP or regulated laboratory environment as listed in ICH Q2 and USP<1033>.

• Experience in representing analytical functional area on project teams. 

• Experience with complex glycan analysis and link to mechanisms of actions.

• Experience in analysis of various Biologic modalities (e.g., mAb, antibody-drug conjugate, fusion protein).

#AR&D

Required Skills:

Adaptability, Analytical Method Development, Assay Development, Biological Assay Development, Cell-Based Assays, Chromatographic Techniques, Cross-Functional Teamwork, External Collaboration, High Resolution Mass Spectrometry (HRMS), Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS), Mass Spectrometry Analysis, Optimism, Process Analytical Technology (PAT), Protein Analysis, Teamwork

Preferred Skills:

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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.

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The primary location for this posting is:

USA - New Jersey - Rahway

Where required by law, the compensation range for this role is provided below.

The salary range for the primary location of this role is:

$142,400.00 - $224,100.00

This range reflects the Company's reasonable expectation of the base salary applicable to this role at the time of 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.

Additional location(s): Please note the salary range above applies to the Primary Location of the position. Where a role has other listed locations, different compensation guidelines may apply. You may find the salary ranges for additional locations below. If the salary range is not listed for the location you are applying to, our Talent Acquisition team will provide further information to you relevant to your location.

Additional location(s) Compensation Information:

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:

10%

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Not Applicable

Shift:

Not Indicated

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

n/a

Job Posting End Date:

10/16/2026

*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.