Associate Scientist

Merck & Co.; Thousand Oaks (CA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Merck & Co. in Thousand Oaks, California, is seeking a Process Development Associate Scientist for a 6-month contract onsite. The role focuses on cleaning process design support for new product introductions across manufacturing networks.

Candidates should have 1–2 years of lab experience and strong wet-lab skills, with a background in chemistry, biochemistry, biology or chemical engineering. The job encompasses design of experiments, method development and detailed documentation.

Qualifications

• Master's degree with 2 years of scientific experience OR Bachelor's with 4 years.
• 1–2 years of laboratory experience in industry, academia or similar.
• Hands-on wet laboratory experience.
• Familiarity with good laboratory practices.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Design and perform planned experiments for developing scaling processes.
• Develop new bench-scale methods and procedures.
• Write technical reports and procedures.
• Define operating parameters and acceptance criteria for new products.
• Collaborate with Quality, Engineering and Process Development to implement validation at full scale.
• Prepare technical papers for internal/external publication.

Skills

Wet lab

Documentation

Attention to detail

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemistry/Biochemistry/Biology

Master's degree in related field (preferred)

Tools

TOC

Gel electrophoresis

Spectroscopy

pH meter

Conductivity meter

Job description

Location: Thousand Oaks, CA (100% Onsite)

Duration: 6-month contract (Potential for conversion based on business need)

Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM-5:00 PM

The manager is looking for someone with 1-2 years of laboratory experience (industry or academic) who has strong foundational laboratory skills and can quickly learn new techniques.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biology, Chemical Engineering, or a related scientific discipline.
• Approximately 1-2 years of laboratory experience (industry, research, or academic lab experience acceptable).
• Hands-on wet laboratory experience.
• Comfortable working in a laboratory environment with good laboratory practices.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to accurately document work.
• Good written and verbal communication skills.

The Process Development Associate Scientist is part of Cleaning Characterization group based in ***'s Thousand Oaks, CA corporate headquarters, who are responsible for the development of cleaning process design supporting new product introduction in *** internal and external manufacturing network for both drug substance and drug product. The cleaning characterization group develops new processes including chemistries, temperature and contact time that support the implementation of cleaning validation studies within *** manufacturing sites. The group supports investigation of deviations/non conformances, writes technical cleaning evaluation reports, and supports plant inspections, including PAIs.

Job Responsibilities

• Design and perform planned experiments for developing large-scale processes
• Help develop new methods, apparatus and procedures for bench-scale characterization work and scale-up
• Write technical reports, assessments, and procedures
• Use characterization data to develop key operating parameters (KOPs), testing requirements and acceptance criteria for new product launches
• Work with Quality, Engineering and Process Development to implement Validation requirements at full scale
• Help write technical papers for internal and external publication

Basic Qualifications

• Master's degree and 2 years of Scientific experience
• OR
• Bachelor's degree and 4 years of Scientific experience

Preferred Qualifications

• Design and execution of bench-scale experiments
• Analytical methods: Total Organic Carbon (TOC), protein assays, gel electrophoresis, spectroscopic methods
• Characterization and validation of processes for biologicals
• Good knowledge of scientific principles, methodologies and practices
• Lab methods, including handling and dispensing chemicals, preparing buffers and operation of common lab equipment, such as pH and conductivity meters
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Good written and verbal communication skills

*** is committed to unlocking the potential of biology for patients suffering from serious illnesses by discovering, developing, manufacturing and delivering innovative human therapeutics. This approach begins by using tools like advanced human genetics to unravel the complexities of disease and understand the fundamentals of human biology.

*** focuses on areas of high unmet medical need and leverages its expertise to strive for solutions that improve health outcomes and dramatically improve people's lives. A biotechnology pioneer since 1980, *** has grown to be one of the world's leading independent biotechnology companies, has reached millions of patients around the world and is developing a pipeline of medicines with breakaway potential.