Scientist, Biology-Discovery at Merck Omaha, NE

Merck; Omaha (NE); Hybrid; USD 86,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

Merck in Omaha, NE seeks an experienced Scientist, Biology-Discovery to support analytical assay development and characterization of therapeutic monoclonal antibodies. The role involves lead selection support, developability assessments, and collaboration with process development and cell line teams.

Responsibilities include operating analytical instruments, maintaining equipment, and documenting results. Requires strong communication, independence, and ability to manage multiple projects in a

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Biochemistry, Chemistry, Biotechnology, Bioengineering, or related discipline.

Responsibilities

• Develop and optimize analytical assays for physicochemical characterization of monoclonal antibodies (SEC, IEX, HIC, RP-HPLC/UPLC, CE, cIEF).
• Conduct experiments to assess developability of antibodies and evaluate their suitability for therapeutic use.
• Provide analytical testing support to cross-functional teams (process development, cell line development, stability studies, product characterization).
• Maintain and calibrate analytical equipment; document procedures and results in notebooks and reports.
• Present findings to project teams and stakeholders; collaborate with colleagues across groups to support development efforts.

Skills

Analytical skills

Communication

Project management

Independence

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Biochemistry/Chemistry/Biotechnology/Bioengineering

Tools

LC/UPLC

Capillary electrophoresis

RP-HPLC

Mass spectrometry

GPC/SEC

Job description

Scientist, Biology-Discovery job at Merck. Omaha, NE. Position Summary: We are seeking a highly motivated and skilled scientist to support analytical assay development, physicochemical characterization, and testing of therapeutic monoclonal antibodies. The successful candidate will contribute to lead selection for new projects and the advancement of candidates from our discovery pipeline. This hands-on role requires deep expertise in protein characterization techniques, a strong understanding of analytical assay mechanisms, and proficiency in operating and maintaining analytical instrumentation. The position is critical to the success of our therapeutic monoclonal antibody development programs. Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and optimize analytical assays for the physicochemical characterization of monoclonal antibodies, including but not limited to: Size Exclusion Chromatography (SEC); Ion Exchange Chromatography (IEX); Hydrophobic Interaction Chromatography (HIC); Reverse Phase HPLC (RP-HPLC); Capillary Electrophoresis (CE); Capillary Isoelectric Focusing (cIEF).
• Conduct laboratory experiments to assess the developability of monoclonal antibodies and evaluate their suitability for therapeutic use.
• Provide analytical testing support to cross-functional teams, including process development, cell line development, stability studies, and product characterization.
• Perform routine laboratory work and ensure proper maintenance and calibration of analytical equipment.
• Document experimental procedures, results, and conclusions in laboratory notebooks and technical reports.
• Present findings and progress updates to project teams and stakeholders.
• Collaborate with team members to assess the quality of purified proteins and support analytical needs across the organization.
• Work closely with cross-functional teams outside the group to support broader development efforts.

Qualifications: Education:

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Biochemistry, Chemistry, Biotechnology, Bioengineering, or a related discipline.

Required Experience and Skills:

• Minimum of five (5) years of experience in analytical characterization of recombinant proteins.
• Hands-on experience with analytical instrumentation including liquid chromatography, capillary electrophoresis, spectrometry, PAGE gels, light scattering, and particle analysis.
• Strong understanding of the principles and mechanisms of commonly used analytical techniques (e.g., SEC, IEX, HIC, RP-HPLC/UPLC).
• Proficiency in laboratory software and data analysis tools relevant to downstream operations.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong communication and collaboration abilities.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple projects concurrently.

Preferred Experience and Skills:

• Five (5)+ years of experience in antibody therapeutic discovery or development.
• Experience in antibody characterization across diverse therapeutic areas.
• Background in R&D of antibodies or biologics, including identification and candidate selection.
• Knowledge of antibody structure-function relationships is a strong asset.

Current Employees apply HERE Current 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 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 U.S. Hybrid Work Model Effective September 5, 2023, employees in office-based positions in the U.S. will be working a Hybrid work consisting of three total days on-site per week, Monday - Thursday, although the specific days may vary by site or organization, with Friday designated as a remote-working day, unless business critical tasks require an on-site presence.This Hybrid work model does not apply to, and daily in-person attendance is required for, field-based positions; facility-based, manufacturing-based, or research-based positions where the work to be performed is located at a Company site; positions covered by a collective-bargaining agreement (unless the agreement provides for hybrid work); or any other position for which the Company has determined the job requirements cannot be reasonably met working remotely. Please note, this Hybrid work model guidance also does not apply to roles that have been designated as "remote". The salary range for this role is
$85,600.00 - $134,800.00 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 . You can apply for this role through (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:
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 Required Skills:
Accountability, Accountability, Adaptability, Antibody Characterization, Antibody Therapeutics, Assay Development, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Capillary Electrophoresis (CE), Cell Biology, Cell Culture Techniques, Cell Transfection, Communication, Data Analysis, Detail-Oriented, Flow Cytometry, Gel Electrophoresis, Immunochemistry, Immunocytochemistry (ICC), In Vitro Assays, Luminex Assays, Microbiology, Molecular Biology Techniques, Monoclonal Antibodies, Production Process Development {+ 2 more} Preferred Skills: Job Posting End Date:
10/13/2025
*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: R366879