Distinguished Scientist, Vaccines & Advanced Biotechnologies Process R&D

Merck & Co.; West Point (PA); On-site; USD 260,000 - 420,000; Full time

Job summary

Merck & Co. seeks an internationally recognized scientific leader to join Vaccines & Advanced Biotechnologies Process R&D as a Distinguished Scientist (Executive Director equivalent).

You will shape scientific strategy for vaccine drug substance development and clinical manufacturing, guiding a global pipeline and influencing major regulatory decisions. You will mentor leaders, drive innovation across modeling, AI/ML, automation, and systems biology, and build collaborations with academia,

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, Biochemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or related field.
• Minimum of 15 years of industry experience in vaccine and/or biologics drug substance process development.
• Deep expertise spanning full product lifecycle from early development to commercialization.
• Experience leading CMC strategies and regulatory submissions.
• Strong understanding of modern development technologies including AI/ML and systems biology.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a long-term scientific vision and technology roadmap for vaccine process development and manufacturing.
• Partner across Discovery, Development, Commercial Manufacturing, Regulatory, and Marketing to accelerate vaccine development.
• Lead external scientific engagement with academia, industry, and global health organizations.
• Guide teams through complex challenges across development and lifecycle management.
• Mentor and develop scientists and leaders to sustain scientific leadership.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Scientific leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Mentoring

Regulatory strategy

AI/ML awareness

Process development

Education

Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering or related field

Tools

Modeling tools

Automation

Analytical development

Job description

Job Description

Shape the Future of Vaccine Innovation. We are seeking an internationally recognized scientific leader to join our Vaccines & Advanced Biotechnologies Process R&D (VAX PR&D) organization as a Distinguished Scientist (Executive Director equivalent). This is a unique opportunity to drive scientific strategy, advance breakthrough vaccine technologies, and influence the development and commercialization of life‑saving medicines that improve global health.

The Opportunity

In this highly visible leadership role, you will serve as the scientific architect for vaccine drug substance process development and clinical manufacturing. You will establish and drive a forward‑looking scientific strategy while enabling the successful progression of our vaccine pipeline.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Scientific Leadership

• Develop and execute a long‑term scientific vision and technology roadmap for vaccine drug substance development and manufacturing.
• Anticipate emerging scientific and technology trends, integrating new approaches to enhance process performance, speed, and scalability.
• Champion innovation in areas such as modeling, automation, AI/ML, systems biology, and advanced manufacturing technologies.

Enterprise Collaboration & Influence

• Partner across Discovery, Development, Commercial Manufacturing, Regulatory, and Marketing organizations to accelerate vaccine development and commercialization.
• Provide scientific leadership on critical CMC strategies, program decisions, regulatory interactions, and business initiatives.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to senior leaders and contribute to enterprise‑wide scientific direction.

External Scientific Engagement

• Expand and strengthen strategic collaborations with leading academic institutions, industry partners, consortia, and global health organizations.
• Elevate organizational visibility through publications, conference keynote presentations, scientific forums, and thought leadership activities.
• Represent the organization in due diligence assessments, external partnerships, and scientific advisory engagements.

Technical Excellence & Program Advancement

• Guide teams through complex scientific and technical challenges across all phases of development and lifecycle management.
• Provide expert consultation on upstream, downstream, analytical, and manufacturing strategies.
• Enable successful regulatory submissions and support global market launches.

Talent Development & Culture

• Mentor, coach, and inspire scientists and leaders at all levels.
• Foster a culture of scientific rigor, innovation, collaboration, and continuous learning.
• Build organizational capabilities that ensure long‑term success and scientific leadership.

Required Qualifications

Education

• Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, Biochemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or a related scientific discipline.

Experience

• Minimum of 15 years of industry experience in vaccine and/or biologics drug substance process development.
• Deep expertise spanning the full product lifecycle, from early development through commercialization with significant experience in upstream and downstream development.
• Broad understanding of drug product and analytical development as well as clinical and commercial manufacturing.
• Experience leading CMC strategies and/or development programs that have resulted in successful regulatory submissions and approvals.
• Strong understanding of modern development technologies, including modeling, automation, AI/ML, and systems biology.
• Extensive knowledge of global regulatory frameworks governing vaccine development and manufacturing.
• Proven ability to influence senior stakeholders and drive strategy across complex, matrixed organizations.
• Demonstrated success building, mentoring, and developing high‑performing scientific teams.

Technical Expertise

Expression Systems

• E. coli
• Yeast systems
• HEK293
• Vero
• CHO

Modalities

• Viral vectors
• Lentiviral vectors (LVV)
• RNA‑based technologies
• Protein subunits
• Conjugates
• Related advanced biologics platforms

Preferred Qualifications

The ideal candidate will be recognized as a leading authority in vaccine or biologics process development, with evidence of scientific impact and external recognition.

• Significant contributions to the advancement of vaccine or biologics development and manufacturing.
• Strong publication record, invited presentations, patents, awards, or professional society recognition.
• Successful collaborations across industry, academia, or global health organizations.
• Demonstrated ability to translate emerging science into practical manufacturing and development solutions.
• Working knowledge of adjuvant development and associated drug product strategies.
• Proven ability to solve highly complex scientific and organizational challenges through innovation, collaboration, and strategic thinking.
• Track record of leading through ambiguity, driving transformation, and delivering breakthrough outcomes aligned with business objectives.

Why Join Us?

This is more than a leadership role—it's an opportunity to leave a lasting mark on global public health.

• Help shape the future of vaccine science and manufacturing.
• Lead scientific strategies that impact patients around the world.
• Collaborate with some of the brightest minds across research, development, and manufacturing.
• Drive innovation across cutting‑edge vaccine platforms and emerging technologies.
• Mentor and develop the next generation of scientific leaders.
• Thrive in a culture that values scientific excellence, collaboration, innovation, and continuous growth.

Required Skills

• Bioprocessing, Bioproducts, Cross‑Functional Teamwork, Detail‑Oriented, Evaluating New Technologies, Exercises Judgment, Good Laboratory Practices (GLPs), Innovation, Mentoring Staff, Process Scale Up, Professional Networking, Protein Characterization, Protein Purifications, Scientific Analysis, Scientific Leadership, Strategizing

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

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 the EEOC Know Your Rights and 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.