Associate Principal Scientist, Mass Spectrometry

Merck & Co.; West Point (PA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Merck & Co. in West Point, PA seeks an Associate Principal Scientist to lead analytical MS efforts for vaccines, protein conjugates, and oligonucleotides. The role emphasizes method development, data interpretation, and collaboration across teams.

The candidate will mentor scientists, drive external publications, and champion compliant, safe laboratory practices in a fast-paced pharmaceutical setting.

Qualifications

• PhD in Analytical Chemistry or Chemistry with 5+ years of pharma experience; MS with 8+ years; BS with 12+ years in industry.
• Experience with mass spectrometry workflows for vaccines development and protein/conjugate analysis.
• Strong leadership and ability to mentor junior scientists.

Responsibilities

• Develop and perform LC-MS based assays including peptide mapping, intact mass, native mass spectrometry, proteomics, higher order structure analyses.
• Advance MS methodology for peptide mapping, intact mass, native mass, HDX, glycan analysis, quantitative analysis and HCP analysis.
• Represent MS group in project teams and communicate results.
• Author technical reports and scientific presentations.
• Explore and develop new MS technologies to advance the field.
• Perform data processing with Genedata or similar software.
• Demonstrate multitasking, prioritization and problem-solving in experiments.
• Provide scientific leadership and mentorship and champion safety and compliance.

Skills

Mass spectrometry

Proteomics

Data analysis

LC-MS

Vaccine development

Leadership

Mentoring

Education

PhD in Analytical Chemistry or Chemistry

MS in mass spectrometry-related field

BS in related field

Tools

Thermo instruments

Sciex instruments

Agilent instruments

Waters instruments

Job description

Job Description

The Analytical Enabling Capabilities organization in West Point, PA is seeking a motivated scientist with technical expertise in mass spectrometry-based protein, protein conjugation or oligonucleotides or polysaccharide characterization. In addition to mass spectrometry skills, we are also seeking candidates with strong scientific leadership, proteomics and data science skills.

The ideal candidate will have a track record of advancing the pharmaceutical development of vaccines with mass spectrometry, as well as driving scientific excellence through external presentations and publications. Additionally, the candidate will have advanced knowledge in both analytical experimental design and vaccines pipeline programs. Finally, this Associate Principal Scientist will be a partner in problem solving, building leadership, and driving collaboration both internally and externally.

Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and Perform LC-MS based assays including peptide mapping, intact mass, native mass spectrometry, proteomics, higher order structure, and host cell protein analysis or oligonucleotides or polysaccharide characterization for vaccines programs.
• Advance mass spectrometry methodology for peptide mapping, intact mass, native mass, HDX, sequence variants, glycan analysis, quantitative analysis, and host cell protein analysis.
• Represent the mass spectrometry group in project teams.
• Author technical reports and scientific presentations.
• Explore and develop new technologies to advance the field of mass spectrometry.
• Perform data processing with Genedata or other biopharma data interpretation software.
• Demonstrate effective multitasking, prioritization and problem-solving skills in the planning and execution of experiments.
• Scientific leadership and mentorship of scientists.
• Champion compliance and safety as a leader both within and outside the laboratory.

Education Minimum Requirement

• PhD in Analytical Chemistry or Chemistry or relevant degree in mass spectrometry plus 5+ years of relevant experience in pharmaceutical industry
• Candidates with MS in degree plus 8+ years or BS degree plus 12+ years of relevant industry experience

Required Experience and Skills

• A breadth and depth of analytical and vaccines development understanding, including protein, protein conjugates, oligonucleotides and polysaccharides.
• Experience in conducting mass spectrometry experiments, including sample preparation and optimization, liquid chromatography separation, mass spectrometer operation and maintenance, data interpretation, and analysis.
• Extensive knowledge of Thermo, Sciex, Agilent and Waters instruments.
• Familiarity with Genedata or other biopharma MS software.
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills, as demonstrated through high impact scientific publications and presentations.-
• Experience mentoring junior scientists in pharmaceutical development

Preferred Experience and Skills

• Expertise in multiple reaction monitoring based quantitative analysis for vaccines development.
• Expertise in complex glycan analysis.
• Familiarity with R programming language for data processing, statistics and visualization.
• Advanced knowledge of electronic laboratory notebook applications and good documentation practices.

Required Skills

Analytical Chemistry, Analytical Method Development, Assay Development, Biological Assay Development, Cell-Based Assays, Chromatographic Techniques, High Resolution Mass Spectrometry (HRMS), Laboratory Documentation, Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS), Mass Spectrometry (MS), Mass Spectrometry Analysis, Peptide Mapping, Process Analytical Technology (PAT), Protein Analysis, Proteomics, R Programming, Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (SIMS), Spectrometry, Vaccine Development

Preferred Skills

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. If you need an accommodation during the application or hiring process.

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer

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,