Principal Scientist, Mass Spectrometry

Merck & Co.; West Point (PA); On-site; USD 157,000 - 247,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Long-term incentive

Medical, dental, vision benefits

401(k)

Job summary

Merck & Co. in West Point, PA is seeking a Principal Scientist with mass spectrometry expertise to lead a group delivering MS data to advance the vaccines pipeline.

The role demands scientific leadership, advanced experimental design, data analysis, and mentorship of junior scientists, with a track record of publications and external collaborations to drive translational research. You will partner across programs and represent the group in project teams.

Qualifications

• PhD in Analytical Chemistry or Chemistry or MS in mass spectrometry with 10+ years in pharma.
• Expertise designing and conducting MS or proteomics experiments, including sample prep, MS operation and data analysis.
• Advanced knowledge of MS data analysis and informatics platforms.
• Excellent publications and presentations.
• Experience mentoring junior scientists in pharmaceutical development.

Responsibilities

• Lead a group of junior scientists delivering MS data to advance the pipeline.
• Advance MS methodologies for peptide mapping, intact native mass, glycan analysis, and HCP analysis.
• Develop new MS technologies and drive multi-tasking, prioritization and problem-solving in experiments.
• Represent the MS group in project teams and author technical reports and presentations.
• Champion compliance and safety as a lab leader.

Skills

Mass spectrometry

Proteomics

Data analysis

Scientific leadership

Experience mentoring

Communication

Education

PhD in Analytical Chemistry or Chemistry or MS

Tools

Thermo instruments

Sciex instruments

Waters instruments

ELN / documentation

Job description

Job Description

The Analytical Enabling Capabilities organization in West Point, PA is seeking a motivated scientist with technical expertise in mass spectrometry-based protein, protein conjugation or oligonucleotides or polysaccharide characterization. In addition to mass spectrometry skills, we are also seeking candidates with strong scientific leadership, proteomics and data science skills.

The ideal candidate is a leader in the field of mass spectrometry and will have a track record of advancing the pharmaceutical development of vaccines with mass spectrometry, as well as driving scientific excellence through external presentations and publications. Additionally, the candidate will have advanced knowledge in both analytical experimental design and the ability to provide technical leadership for junior scientists and to vaccines pipeline programs. Finally, this Principal Scientist will be a partner in problem solving, building leadership, and driving collaboration both internally and externally.

Primary Responsibilities

• Lead a group of junior scientists focused on delivering mass spectrometry data to advance the pipeline.
• Advance mass spectrometry methodology for peptide mapping, intact mass, native mass, HDX,- glycan analysis, quantitative analysis, and host cell protein analysis.
• Explore and develop new technologies to advance the field of mass spectrometry
• Demonstrate advanced multitasking, prioritization and problem-solving skills in the planning and execution of experiments.
• Represent the mass spectrometry group in project teams.
• Author technical reports and scientific presentations.
• Explore and develop new technologies to advance the field of mass spectrometry.
• Demonstrate effective multitasking, prioritization and problem-solving skills in the planning and execution of experiments.
• Scientific leadership and mentorship of scientists.
• Champion compliance and safety as a leader both within and outside the laboratory.

Education Minimum Requirement

• PhD in Analytical Chemistry or Chemistry or relevant degree in mass spectrometry plus 10+ years of relevant experience in pharmaceutical industry

Required Experience and Skills

• Expertise designing and conducting mass spectrometry or proteomics experiments, including sample preparation, mass spectrometer operation and data analysis.
• Advanced knowledge of mass spectrometry data analysis packages and informatics platforms
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills, as demonstrated through high impact scientific publications and presentations.
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills, as demonstrated through high impact scientific publications and presentations.-
• Experience mentoring junior scientists in pharmaceutical development

Extensive knowledge of Thermo, Sciex, and Waters instruments.

Preferred Experience and Skills

• Expertise in multiple reaction monitoring based quantitative analysis for vaccines development.
• Expertise in complex glycan analysis.
• Familiarity with R programming language for data processing, statistics and visualization.
• Advanced knowledge of electronic laboratory notebook applications and good documentation practices.

US and Puerto Rico Residents Only

Our company is committed to inclusion, ensuring that candidates can engage in a hiring process that exhibits their true capabilities. Please click here if you need an accommodation during the application or hiring process.

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

$156,900.00 - $247,000.00

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 .

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

Employee Status

Regular

Flexible Work Arrangements

Not Applicable

Job Posting End Date

09/21/2026

*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.

Requisition ID

R417480