Scientist, Biology-Discovery (On-site)

Merck & Co.; West Point (PA); On-site; USD 87,000 - 137,000; Full time

Job summary

Merck & Co. in West Point, PA, is seeking a dedicated scientist to join our Infectious Disease and Vaccines team in Biology-Discovery.

The role focuses on developing and advancing vaccine candidates for infectious disease targets, with hands-on work in immunoassays, antibody assays, bacterial and cell culture, and in vivo mouse studies. The successful candidate will collaborate across a multidisciplinary team, contribute to regulatory submissions, and ensure high standards for safety, data

Job description

Job Description

We are seeking a dedicated and highly motivated scientist to join our Infectious Disease and Vaccines team in Biology-Discovery located in West Point, PA. Our team's objective is to solve key challenges in developing and progressing vaccine candidates for infectious disease targets. To help us achieve this goal, this individual should possess technical skills in immunoassays, functional antibody assays, bacterial and cell culture, and in vivo mouse work. This role requires not only technical proficiency but also the ability to articulate ideas and collaborate effectively within a dynamic, integrated, multidisciplinary scientific team fostering a healthy work environment.

Responsibilities

• Collaborating effectively in a fast-paced, integrated, multidisciplinary team environment, fostering open communication and collaboration
• Developing, optimizing, and implementing immunoassays for vaccine target antigens, including ELISA and electrochemiluminescent (ECL) assays
• Evaluating preclinical immune sera in functional antibody assays, including opsonophagocytic killing assays (OPA/OPK) and serum bactericidal assays (SBA)
• Contributing to mouse vaccine immunogenicity and challenge studies with bacterial pathogens
• Working hands-on in a BSL-2 laboratory environment while maintaining high standards for safety, documentation, and data integrity
• Preparing technical documents, data summaries, and presentations for internal scientific discussions and in support of regulatory submissions

Education Requirement

• MS with a minimum of 1 year of related experience, or BS/BA with a minimum of 3 years of related experience, in Microbiology, Bacteriology, Immunology, or a closely related field

Required Skills

• Strong scientific and technical leadership skills
• High adaptability to a continuously evolving research landscape
• Experience working collaboratively in a multidisciplinary research environment
• Experience with immunoassays and functional antibody assays
• Experience with bacterial culture and cell culture
• Hands-on research experience with in vivo mouse models
• Hands-on research experience within a BSL-2 laboratory environment
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, and PowerPoint) and graphing software (GraphPad Prism)

Preferred Skills

• Bacterial vaccine research experience
• Experience in the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry
• Experience with ELISA and electrochemiluminescent (ECL) assays
• Experience with functional antibody assays, such as opsonophagocytic killing assays (OPA/OPK) and serum bactericidal assays (SBA)
• Hands-on research experience with mouse vaccine immunogenicity or challenge studies
• Experience with automated liquid handling systems

Required Skills: Assay Development, Biology, Cell Culture Techniques, Data Analysis, Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA), Immunoassays, Immunogenicity Assays, In Vitro Assays, In Vivo Models, MicrobiologyPreferred Skills: Flow Cytometry

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:

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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.

The salary range for this role is $87,300.00 - $137,400.00

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 .

Employee Status

Regular

Relocation

Domestic

VISA Sponsorship

No

Travel Requirements

No Travel Required

Flexible Work Arrangements

Not Applicable

Shift

1st - Day

Valid Driving License

No

Hazardous Material(s)

BSL-2

Job Posting End Date

09/9/2026