Associate Principal Scientist, Upstream Development

MSD Malaysia; Rahway (NJ); On-site; USD 142,000 - 224,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k)

Paid holidays

Vacation

Sick days

Job summary

Merck & Co., Inc. in Rahway, NJ is seeking an Associate Principal Scientist for Biologics Process Development to design, develop, and optimize mammalian cell culture processes for first-in-human and commercial products.

You will collaborate across Discovery, Downstream, Analytical Sciences, and Manufacturing to deliver robust CMC-ready processes. The ideal candidate will have strong leadership, excellent communication, and a track record in upstream bioprocess development, including tech

Qualifications

• Technical background with hands-on mammalian cell culture and fed-batch processes for recombinant protein production.
• Strong CHO cell biology knowledge, metabolism, and large-scale bioreactor experience.
• Experience with DOE and multivariate data analysis tools.
• Proven upstream process and technology development accomplishments with publications.
• Ability to plan, execute, and document cell culture process development.

Responsibilities

• Lead upstream process development for high-yield, robust, scalable cell culture processes.
• Drive process development, characterization, and regulatory filings for PPQs and BLAs.
• Collaborate with Discovery, Cell Line, Downstream, Analytical Sciences, and Manufacturing.
• Advance upstream platform processes through improvement initiatives to reduce costs.
• Engage with academia, industry partners, and vendors to drive new technologies.
• Monitor external patents/literature; pursue publishing and patenting opportunities.

Skills

Mammalian cell culture

Fed-batch processes

Bioprocess scale-up

Cell line development

Statistical methods (DOE, MVA)

Education

Ph.D. in chemical engineering / bioengineering / biological engineering or related field

Master's degree with 8+ years' experience

Bachelor's degree with 12 years' experience

Tools

SIMCA

JMP

Job description

Job Description: The Biologics Process Research & Development organization within our company's Research Laboratories is responsible for developing the drug substance manufacturing processes for our company's biologics pipeline. We work closely with colleagues in Discovery, Pre-clinical and Early Development to rapidly develop manufacturing processes for biotherapeutics and efficiently manufacture material to supply clinical trials. We are also responsible for commercial process development and development and implementation of new manufacturing technologies. We work with our partners in our company's Manufacturing Division to commercialize and launch new products. We are seeking a highly motivated and energetic individual to join our Biologics Process Development Department as an Associate Principal Scientist. Applicant must have effective organizational and multi-tasking skills, demonstrated excellent scientific leadership in Upstream process development, and superior written and oral communications abilities. Evidence of strong cross-functional collaboration, significant external presence with scientific excellence, and interest and abilities for mentoring junior staff are also expected. In this role, the successful candidate will work closely with a highly motivated team of Scientists and Engineers in the Upstream Process Development area and contribute to CMC development of our company's pipeline, playing an active role in the design, development, and optimization of cell culture processes and the transfer of processes to clinical and commercial manufacturing sites. She/He will also participate in developing and refining strategies related to next-generation processes through technology development initiatives for assets in early and late-stage clinical development.

Responsibilities

• Participates in and/or leads upstream process development of first-in-human and commercial processes by efficiently developing high yield, robust, and scalable cell culture processes.
• Responsible for process development, process characterization, and regulatory filing activities to ensure a smooth and clear path to successful PPQs and BLAs for the company's pipeline.
• Partner with colleagues in Discovery, Cell Line, Downstream Process Development, Analytical Sciences, and Manufacturing to develop integrated clinical and commercial process and manufacturing solutions that achieve quality by design targets with robust control strategies.
• Advancing the upstream platform processes through creative process improvement initiatives to increase operational efficiency and reduce costs.
• Collaborate with academia, industry partners, and vendors to drive development, innovation, and adoption of new process technologies.
• Keep up to date with the external patent and literature environment; actively present and publish externally and pursue patenting strategies.

Minimum Education Requirements

Ph.D. with 4+ years' experience or Master's with 8+ years' experience or a bachelor's with 12 years of experience in chemical engineering, Bioengineering, Biological Engineering, or a related field

Required Experience and Skills

• Technical background and hands-on experience with mammalian cell culture and fed-batch processes to produce recombinant proteins.
• Scientific understanding and working knowledge of CHO cell biology, metabolism, cell culture media and engineering principles for large scale recombinant protein production systems.
• Working knowledge of statistical methods (design of experiment, multivariate data analysis) and tools (SIMCA, JMP, etc.).
• Understanding of cell culture bioreactors including microbioreactors, bench-scale and pilot-scale bioreactors, and bioreactor scale-up principles from laboratory to large scale.
• Proven track record of accomplishments in upstream process and technology development with a strong scientific publication and presentation track record.
• Ability to direct the planning, execution, analysis, and documentation of all stages of cell culture process development.
• Plan, execute, analyze, and communicate complex and critical data in a highly organized manner.
• Excellent verbal, written communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work effectively in cross-functional and matrixed team environment; collaborate with both internal and external partners including vendors.
• Demonstrated ability for taking initiative, creativity, and innovation in problem solving.
• Productivity and efficiency working in the laboratory.
• Ability to deliver complex objective under aggressive timelines.

Preferred Experience and Skills

• Experience with cell culture media development.
• Experience with high throughput microbioreactor systems and advanced in situ analytics for process monitoring and control.
• Experience with state-of-the-art cell culture processes including intensified inoculum/fed-batch and perfusion process development.
• Background in data science approaches related to cell culture and predictive modeling, e.g. metabolic flux (MFA) analysis, omics, machine learning; computational fluid dynamics, and experience integrating PAT efforts.
• Experience with late-stage commercial process development, technology transfer, scale-down model qualification, and process characterization.
• Knowledge of biologics CMC development cycle and scale-up/down in addition to tech transfer to GMP manufacturing site.

Required Skills

• Biodesign, Biodesign, Biological Engineering, Cell Cultures, Cell Line Development, Cell Physiology, Chemical Engineering, Clinical Trials, Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), Detail-Oriented, Downstream Process Development, Drug Delivery Technology, Drug Development, Expression Vectors, Interpersonal Relationships, Leading Project Teams, Mammalian Cell, Mammalian Cell Culture, Manufacturing Processes, Molecular Biology, Operational Efficiency, Pharmaceutical Formulations, Pharmaceutical Process Development, Physical Characterization, Stable Cell Lines.

Company Culture and Inclusion

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. 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.

Location and Work Arrangements

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.

Recruitment Policies

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.

Benefits

• 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.

Compensation

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.

The successful candidate will be eligible for annual bonus and long-term incentive, if applicable.

Employment and Visa Information

Employee Status: Regular

Relocation: Domestic

VISA Sponsorship: Yes

Travel Requirements: 10%

Shift: Not Indicated

Valid Driving License: No

Hazardous Material(s): n/a

Job Posting End Date

Job Posting End Date: 10/1/2026

Company Overview

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.