Associate Specialist, Engineering

MSD; North Carolina; On-site; USD 72,000 - 113,000; Full time

Job summary

Merck & Co., Inc. in Durham, NC, is seeking an Associate Specialist to support lab-scale vaccine process development, technical transfer, and post-commercial process enhancements for multiple pipeline programs.

The role requires hands-on execution, strong problem-solving, and collaboration in a fast-paced GMP environment. The successful candidate will perform lab experiments in buffer/media prep, cell culture, particle isolation, or lyophilization; run bio-analytical assays; and contribute to

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Engineering or Sciences with 1+ year of relevant experience.
• Strong leadership and communication in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience in vaccine/biologics manufacturing or aseptic GMP settings is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide hands-on lab-scale experiments in buffer/media prep, cell culture, particle isolation, or lyophilization.
• Execute bio-analytical assays for in-process and post-process samples (potency, metabolites, moisture, UV/Vis, etc.).
• Assist in design and execution of experiments for process characterization and tech transfer.
• Troubleshoot equipment and assays; support off-shift/weekend work when needed.
• Document experimental designs, proposals, reports and compile data with statistical tools.

Skills

Leadership

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Biochemical assays

Cell culture

Data analysis

Problem solving

Teamwork

Education

Bachelor’s Degree or higher in Engineering or Sciences

Tools

FTIR

SEM-EDS

UV/Vis

Job description

Job Description

The Maurice R. Hilleman Center for Vaccine Manufacturing is located in Durham, NC. This state-of-the-art facility established in 2004, manufactures our Company’s lifesaving vaccines in bulk and finished forms. Due to the importance of this facility in our Company’s Vaccine Manufacturing network, the facility has seen rapid growth in production volumes and new employees over the last several years, as well as future anticipated growth as part of the new product vaccine tech transfers to the facility.

The Process Support Lab at the Durham site is seeking an Associate Specialist with strong interpersonal, communication, and collaboration skills responsible for lab-scale vaccine process development execution, technical transfer support, and post commercial process enhancements activities for multiple pipeline vaccine programs. The well-qualified candidate must have analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills. Furthermore, the candidate will be required to work in a fast-paced environment. Off-shift or weekend coverage may occasionally be required to support the technical team, based on project-specific assignments and/or the vaccine production schedule.

Key responsibilities may include but are not limited to:

• Provide technical hands-on support in execution of lab-scale experiments in at least one of the following areas: buffer/media preparation, cell/tissue culture, particle isolation, or product lyophilization.
• Execute bio-analytical assays for in-process and post-process samples (can include potency assays, metabolite analysis, moisture analysis, FTIR, SEM-EDS, UV/Vis, etc)
• Perform particle isolation, microscope imaging, and particulate analysis using analytical equipment to determine origin of particulate submissions with quick turnaround to support manufacturing investigations at the site.
• Assist in design and execution of lab experiments to support process characterization, commercial technology transfer, and qualification studies associated with the development and implementation of bulk processes, systems and facilities related to pipeline vaccine bulk products.
• Execute experimental studies as needed for investigational, developmental, or continuous improvement projects for our Company’s existing Durham vaccine products (investigational and/or developmental studies).
• Troubleshoot equipment and assays as needed.
• Ability to support off-shift or weekend work if needed.
• Author and present experimental design proposals, technical reports and documents.
• Compile process data and employ statistical tools for experimental analysis and process monitoring.
• Actively participate on cross-functional manufacturing teams to advance project goals and deliverables related to vaccine processes.

Education Minimum Requirement:

• Bachelor’s Degree or higher in Engineering or Sciences, with relevant academic experience with at least one (1) year of relevant experience.

Required Experience and Skills:

• Strong leadership, interpersonal and communication skills (written and oral).

Preferred Experience and Skills:

• Vaccine or biologics manufacturing within an aseptic, cGMP environment
• Hands-on experience in large molecule manufacturing or bio-analytical assays.
• Experience designing experiments and authoring technical documentation.
• Solves Technical Problems Independently
• Strong Attention to Detail
• Ability to foster collaborative work environment
• Demonstrated systematic problem-solving skills

Required Skills:

Adaptability, Adaptability, Applied Mathematics, Biochemical Assays, Cell Cultures, Cell Physiology, Chemical Engineering Fundamentals, Chemical Plant Operations, Data Analysis, Engineering Standards, Estimation and Planning, Fast-Paced Environments, Field Failure Analysis, Interpersonal Communication, Job Descriptions, Mammalian Cell Culture, Manufacturing Scale-Up, Oral Solid Dosage, Plan of Action and Milestones (POA&M), Primary Cell Culture, Problem Solving, Process Optimization, Professional Engineering, Site Supervision, Teamwork {+ 2 more}

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:

No relocation

VISA Sponsorship:

No

Travel Requirements:

10%

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Not Applicable

Shift:

1st - Day

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

N/A

Job Posting End Date:

09/24/2026

*A job posting is effective until 11:59:59PM on the day BEFOREthe listed job posting end date. Please ensure you apply to a job posting no later than the day BEFORE the job posting end date.

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.

Learn more about your rights, including under California, Colorado and other US State Acts

The salary range for this role is

$71,900.00 - $113,200.00

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.

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.