Associate Principal Scientist, Separations Science

MSD Malaysia; West Point (PA); On-site; USD 142,000 - 224,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental and Vision coverage

401(k) retirement benefits

Paid holidays and vacation

Sick days

Job summary

Merck & Co., Inc. in West Point, PA seeks an Associate Principal Scientist to develop analytical methods supporting vaccine development. You will work within a collaborative Separations Sciences team to deploy advanced separation, analysis, and characterization strategies for accelerated development of vaccines and biologics.

Ph.D. in Chemistry or related field required with hands-on experience in LC, FFF, and various detectors.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Chemistry or related field with hands-on experience in bio-analytical separations techniques including LC variants and detection platforms.
• Chromatography experience for large molecules separations and ability to deliver complex objectives under aggressive timelines.

Responsibilities

• Develop analytical methods to advance vaccines pipeline and influence analytical assays for biologics and synthetic modalities.
• Collaborate with analytical/process project teams to deploy separation, analysis, and characterization strategies.
• Contribute to accelerating development of new medicines and vaccines through cross-functional problem solving.

Skills

Analytical Method Development

Chromatography for Large Molecules

Cross-Functional Collaboration

Scientific Communication

Adaptability

Teamwork

Education

Ph.D. in Chemistry or related field

Tools

Liquid Chromatography (SEC, RPLC, IEX, HIC, Affinity)

FFF

Capillary Electrophoresis

Mass Spectrometry (HRMS)

Detection Platforms (UV, Fluorescence, Light Scattering)

Job description

Job Description We are seeking an Associate Principal Scientist to join our Separations Sciences team, within the Analytical Enabling Capabilities Organization, located in West Point, Pennsylvania. Our Research Scientists are our Inventors. We identify and target steps in disease mechanisms or pathways that could be inhibited or enhanced. Our goal is to use innovative thinking, state-of-the-art facilities, and robust scientific methodology, we collaborate to discover the next medical breakthrough.

As an Associate Principal Scientist in the Separations Sciences team, you will work within a highly collaborative team to enable the advancement of the development pipeline. You will be primarily responsible for developing analytical methods in support of advancing primarily the vaccines’ pipeline with opportunities to influence the analytical assays for biologics and synthetic modalities. You will work in partnership with scientists in analytical/process project teams to deploy innovative separation, analysis, and characterization strategies to accelerate the development of new medicines and vaccines. As a member of our team, you will be joining a group of scientific problem solvers, who are dedicated to creating the life-changing products of tomorrow.

Education Minimum Requirements

Ph.D. in Chemistry or related field with formal training and hands-on experience in bio-analytical separations techniques including forms of liquid chromatography (SEC, RPLC, IEX, HIC, Affinity), field flow fractionation (FFF), capillary electrophoresis coupled with different detection platforms light scattering, UV, fluorescence, mass spectrometry and CAD.

Required Experience and Skills

Chromatography experience for large molecules separations Ability to deliver complex objectives under aggressive timelines in a rapidly changing environment. Demonstrated scientific ability through publications and presentations in scientific conferences. Excellent verbal and written communication skills, demonstrated creativity, and strong interpersonal skills. Ability to learn new concepts in measurement sciences outside of core expertise and training and application to problem solving is required Ability to work in a team environment with cross-functional interactions is essential Evidence of strong cross-functional collaboration in an academic or industrial setting.

Required Skills

Adaptability, Adaptability, Analytical Chemistry, Analytical Method Development, Assay Development, Biological Assay Development, Cell-Based Assays, Cell Separation, Chromatographic Techniques, Chromatography, Cross-Functional Teamwork, Drug Development, External Collaboration, High Resolution Mass Spectrometry (HRMS), Liquid Chromatography (LC), Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS), Mass Spectrometry Analysis, Optimism, Phase Reversal, Process Analytical Technology (PAT), Process Development (PD), Protein Analysis, Scientific Analysis, Scientific Literacy, Scientific Presentations {+ 9 more}

Preferred Experience and Skills

Base knowledge of vaccines development, formulation and adjuvants Hands on experience in the use of In silico tools for chromatographic method development, optimization and robustness assessments Vaccines’ CMC experience including phase appropriate method development, scientific sound assessments.

Our company is committed to inclusion, ensuring that candidates can engage in a hiring process that exhibits their true capabilities. 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

The salary range for this role is $142,400.00 - $224,100.00. 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.

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: No Travel Requirements: 10% Flexible Work Arrangements: Not Applicable Shift: Not Indicated Valid Driving License: No Hazardous Material(s): n/a

Job Posting End Date: 10/19/2026 *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.

Our company is a global health care leader with a diversified portfolio of prescription medicines, vaccines and animal health products. The difference between potential and achievement lies in the spark that fuels innovation and inventiveness; this is the space where we have codified our legacy for over a century. Our success is backed by ethical integrity, forward momentum, and an inspiring mission to achieve new milestones in global healthcare.