Principal Scientist, Upstream Process Development Group Lead

MSD Malaysia; Rahway, Northern (NJ, KY); Hybrid; USD 173,000 - 273,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) matching

Job summary

Merck & Co., Inc. in Rahway, NJ seeks a Senior Principal Scientist to lead upstream process development for biologics. You will design, optimize, and scale cell-culture processes for clinical and early commercialization stages, while directing a team of scientists and collaborating with cross-functional partners.

You will influence strategy, drive process characterization, and contribute to regulatory filings. A Ph.D. with extensive industry experience is preferred.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. with 10+ years or MS with 12+ years in chemical/biochemical engineering.
• Experience leading cell-culture process development for biologics.
• Strong track record in upstream bioprocessing with publications.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of robust upstream processes for biologics across clinical stages.
• Supervise 3–5 scientists and mentor cross-functional teams.
• Drive strategic initiatives and align project strategy with senior leadership.

Skills

Cell culture

Bioprocessing

Scale-up/down

CMC knowledge

Leadership

Regulatory filings

Team mentorship

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Ph.D. in Chemical/Biochemical Engineering

MS in Chemical/Biochemical Engineering

BS in Chemical/Biochemical Engineering

Job description

## Principal Scientist, Upstream Process Development Group LeadApply: Not Applicable: USA - New Jersey - Rahway: Full time: Posted Today: End Date: October 10, 2026 (25 days left to apply): R417386**Job Description****Job Description:**Our Scientists are our Inventors. Through innovative thinking, state-of-the-art facilities, cutting-edge science, and technology, we collaborate to deliver the next medical breakthroughs. We are looking for a collaborative, self-motivated scientific leader with expertise in downstream bioprocessing to join Biologics Process Research & Development (BPR&D) as a Senior Principal Scientist.As a Senior Principal Scientist/Principal Scientist, you will drive various strategic initiatives and translate strategies into implementation for our Company biologics platform. You will collaborate with an immensely creative and collaborative team of scientists and engineers to design upstream, cell-culture processes while developing technical strategies related to upstream processing and recombinant expression of drug candidates in early- and late-stage development.**Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:*** Serve as a scientific leader to shape and drive innovation across the Biologics pipeline, strategy, and science.* Anticipate and solve scientific and technical challenges across projects and functional teams, in a fast-paced, multidisciplinary environment.* Lead the development of robust and scalable upstream processes for biologics in various stages of clinical development, as well as process characterization and regulatory filings for successful commercialization.* Improve upstream processes by increasing efficiency and cost-effectiveness through research and innovation, while evaluating technologies and industry best practices.* Collaborate with academia, industry, and vendors to facilitate the development and early adoption of novel process technologies.* Contribute to strategic initiatives; work with senior leaders to establish overall project strategy and guide teams in its execution.* Conceptualize, plan, and execute projects using effective organizational, prioritization, and problem-solving skills.* Stay updated on the scientific and regulatory landscape; contribute scientifically and build your reputation through conference participation.* Represent BPR&D as a upstream bioprocess expert/co-leader in internal and cross-functional project teams.* Direct supervision of 3-5 scientists, accountable for development and growth of a cohesive group and direct reports* Mentor and actively share expertise across teams; guide career development within and outside the group; build strong, collaborative connections in matrix teams**Minimum Education Requirements:*** Ph.D. with 10+ years, MS with 12+ years, or BS with 14+ and Ph.D. with 6+ years, MS with 8+ years, or BS with 10+years of industry experience in Chemical/Biochemical Engineering or a related field for Senior Principal Scientist position and Principal Scientist position, respectively.**Required Experience, Skills, and Competencies**:* Strong fundamental knowledge and subject matter expertise in cell-culture process development for biologics, fed-batch cell culture, bioreactor scale-up and scale-down, as well as recent advances, and challenges in the field* Expertise in independently conducting and directing the design, execution, analysis, and documentation of all stages of cell-culture process development* Track record of accomplishments in upstream bioprocessing with a history of peer-reviewed publications and presentations. Strong understanding of cell metabolism and biochemical pathways relevant to bioprocessing.* Knowledge of biologics CMC development.* Ability to adapt to and prioritize complex objectives under tight timelines in a rapidly changing environment.* Experience leading internal and external cross-functional, matrixed teams.* Demonstrated scientific leadership with significant, measurable project impacts across a set of programs.* Action-oriented mindset with a capacity for creativity; ability to take initiative, innovate, iterate, and solve problems.* Supervise, coach and mentor scientists to maximize talent development and utilization.* Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.**Preferred Experience & Skills:*** Leadership of CMC development teams.* Experience with continuous biomanufacturing integrated with process-analytical technologies.* Knowhow of intensified inoculum and perfusion process development.* Expertise in media/feed development and relevant chemistry.* High-throughput experimentation, automation, and process control.* Knowledge of microbial fermentation.* Cell culture predictive modeling (omics (transcriptomics, metabolomics, or/and proteomics), metabolic flux analysis); statistics, data-science, machine learning, artificial intelligence.* Process characterization and validation, CDMO supervision, commercialization of biologics.**Required Skills:**Biologics, Bioprocess Engineering, Bioreactors, Cell Culture Process Development, Cell Culture Techniques, Cell Line Development, Chemistry, Combination Products, Commercialization, Downstream Processing, Finite Element Analysis (FEA), Matrix Management, Pharmaceutical Process Development, Process Development (PD), Process Implementations, Quality by Design, Regulatory Filings, Scientific Presentations, Technical Evaluation, Technology Development, Technology Transfer**Preferred Skills:**Current Employees apply HERECurrent Contingent Workers apply HERE**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 RightsEEOC GINA SupplementWe 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 ActsThe salary range for this role is$173,200.00 - $272,600.00This 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.You can apply for this role through https://jobs.merck.com/us/en (or via the Workday Jobs Hub if you are a current employee). The application deadline for this position is stated on this posting.**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:****VISA Sponsorship:****Travel Requirements:****Flexible Work Arrangements:**Not Applicable**Shift:****Valid Driving License:****Hazardous Material(s):****Job Posting End Date:**10/10/2026**\\*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.**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.