Scientist 1, QC Chemistry

Merck & Co.; Holly Springs (NC); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

FUJIFILM Biotechnologies in Holly Springs, NC seeks a Scientist 1 in QC Chemistry to ensure GMP-compliant analytical testing of biological products, including chromatography, spectroscopy, icIEF, and glycan analysis. You will support tech transfer and regulatory inspections.

The role requires a degree in chemistry or related field with GMP experience, plus ability to train staff, review results, and write SOPs. Collaboration across departments is essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's/Master's/PhD in a related science with GMP experience.
• Strong analytical testing and data interpretation skills.
• Excellent communication and documentation ability.

Responsibilities

• Perform and review QC analytical testing for biological products (chromatography, spectroscopy, icIEF).
• Ensure GMP-compliant operations for DS/DP/stability samples.
• Lead method qualification/validation and maintain lab equipment.
• Author, review, and approve SOPs, CAPAs, and deviation investigations.

Education

Bachelor's in Chemistry

Master's in Chemistry

PhD in Chemistry

Tools

LIMS

TrackWise

Job description

Position Overview

The Scientist 1, QC Chemistry is responsible for QC analytical chemistry methods used in biological product manufacturing, including chromatography (GC, HPLC, UPLC, SEC), spectroscopy (MS, GC/MS, LC-MS/MS, UV, UV-Vis, FTIR), electrophoresis (GE, non-reducing and reducing CE-SDS, imaged capillary isoelectric focusing (icIEF)), wet chemistry, glycan analysis, sub-visible particle analysis, peptide mapping, and physical appearance, etc. The Scientist 1, QC Chemistry ensures GMP-compliant laboratory operations in accordance with regulatory guidelines. This role performs technical/compliance reviews and approves analytical results. The role approves laboratory exceptions, invalid assays, deviations, change controls, and corrective and preventative actions (CAPAs).

Company Overview

FUJIFILM Biotechnologies is building the future of bioproduction in Holly Springs, North Carolina. By end of 2025, we'll open North America's largest end-to-end CDMO biopharmaceutical manufacturing facility, offering drug substance production, fill-finish, and packaging under one roof.

We're looking for passionate, mission-driven people to help us realize this exciting vision and deliver the next vaccine, cure, or therapy. We offer a dynamic work environment and we're proud to cultivate a culture that will fuel your purpose, energy, and drive-what we call Genki. Ready to shape the future of medicine? Let's transform healthcare together!

Holly Springs, North Carolina, combines small-town warmth with proximity to Raleigh's thriving tech scene, making it the perfect blend of community and opportunity.

Fujifilm is globally headquartered in Tokyo with over 70,000 employees across four key business segments of healthcare, electronics, business innovation, and imaging. We are guided and united by our Group Purpose of "giving our world more smiles." Visit: https://www.fujifilm.com/us/en/about/region/careers

Job Description

What You'll Do

• Performs physical and chemical analytical testing methods for biological products, including chromatography (GC, HPLC, UPLC, SEC), spectroscopy (MS, GC/MS, LC-MS/MS, UV, UV-Vis, FTIR), electrophoresis (GE, non-reducing and reducing CE-SDS, imaged capillary isoelectric focusing (icIEF)), wet chemistry, glycan analysis, sub-visible particle analysis, peptide mapping, and physical appearance.
• Ensures analytical testing of in-process, drug substance (DS), drug product (DP), and stability samples is performed according to appropriate GMP regulations.
• Performs laboratory work and peer reviews of analytical data in support of tech transfer and routine manufacturing.
• Executes and reviews method qualification and validation activities and maintains lab equipment.
• Monitors assay performance and implements improvements that ensure quality and efficiency within QC Chemistry.
• Troubleshoots and investigates deviations and invalid assays performed in QC Chemistry.
• Authors, reviews, and approves SOPs, protocols, reports, change controls, Trackwise deviations, out-of-specification (OOS) and out-of-trend (OOT) investigations, and CAPAs for the QC Chemistry team, as needed.
• Participates in cross-functional collaborations with other QC Departments, Manufacturing, Process Science, and Quality Assurance stakeholders to achieve customer and FUJIFILM Biotechnologies objectives.
• Manages and monitors lab activities, as needed.
• Provides training for QC Chemistry associates.
• Provides technical support as the QC Chemistry SME during customer visits, audits, and regulatory inspections.
• Participates in risk and gap assessments during project scoping, as needed.
• Collaborates with the LIMS team and IT department to build new method functionality that meets end-user and customer requirements.
• Liaises with Contract Laboratory Organizations (CLOs) to monitor method execution and the timely delivery of results, as needed.
• Executes routine analytical methods and trains other QC Chemistry laboratory associates.
• Performs other duties, as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills or Abilities

• Excellent oral and written communications skills and fluency in English; Good computer skills.
• Excellent organization skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to lead improvement projects.
• Self-driven, dedicated, systematic, and able to plan projects and deliverables in a structured way.
• Ability to analyze and present data and technical information to others outside of the team.
• Ability to deliver independently, as well as provide guidance to QC team members. Initiator, motivator, mentor for other team members.
• Ability to develop and assign tasks. Ability to develop structured plans.
• Ability to solve complex challenges and assist others as needed.
• Thinks strategically, ability to plan and implement improvements.
• Passion for customers, ability to act as POC for clients in the laboratory.
• Flexible, with a positive attitude, positive energy and seeks challenges and opportunities.
• Ability to work cross-functionally with a diverse team and represent the department.
• Must be flexible to support 24/7 manufacturing facility.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biological Sciences, Engineering, or related science field with 5+ years of experience; OR,
• Master's in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biological Sciences, Engineering, or related science field with 3+ years of experience; OR,
• D. in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biological Sciences, Engineering, or related science field with 1+ years of experience.
• Analytical laboratory experience preferably in biotechnology, Pharma, Contract Research Organization (CRO), or Contract Laboratory Organization (CLO).
• 3+ years of experience working in a regulated GMP environment.
• Knowledge and experience of physical and chemical analytical testing methods for biological products, including chromatography (GC, HPLC, UPLC, SEC), spectroscopy (MS, GC/MS, LC-MS/MS, UV, UV-Vis, FTIR), electrophoresis (GE, non-reducing and reducing CE-SDS, imaged capillary isoelectric focusing (icIEF)), wet chemistry, glycan analysis, sub-visible particle analysis, peptide mapping, and physical appearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Customer Relationship Management.
• Prior drug substance or manufacturing experience, including process validation, transfer, commercialization, and manufacturing support and troubleshooting.
• Experience using quality systems (e.g., deviation management system, change control, corrective and preventative action (CAPA), document management system).

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to discern audible cues.
• Ability to inspect or perform a task with 20/20 corrected vision, visual acuity, including distinguishing color.
• Ability to ascend or descend ladders, scaffolding, ramps, etc...
• Ability to stand for prolonged periods of time up to 60 minutes.
• Ability to sit for prolonged periods of time up to 60 minutes.
• Ability to conduct activities using repetitive motions that include wrist, hands and/or fingers.
• Ability to conduct work that includes moving objects up to 10 pounds.
• Ability to bend, push or pull, reach to retrieve materials from 18'' to 60'' in height, and use twisting motions.
• Will work in smal and/or enclosed spaces.
• Will work in heights greater than 4 feet.

EEO Information

Fujifilm is committed to providing equal opportunities in hiring, promotion and advancement, compensation, benefits, and training regardless of nationality, age, gender, sexual orientation or gender identity, race, ethnicity, religion, political creed, ideology, national, or social origin, disability, veteran status, etc.

ADA Information

If you require reasonable accommodation in completing this application, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to our HR Department ([e-mail]).