Scientist, Downstream Vaccines and Advanced Biotechnologies (VAX) Process R&D

MSD Malaysia; West Point (PA); On-site; USD 87,000 - 137,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision insurance

401(k) retirement plan

Paid holidays and vacation

Sick days

Job summary

MSD is seeking a Job Description Scientist - Downstream Vaccines and Advanced Biotechnologies Process R&D for its West Point, PA site. The role focuses on downstream bioprocess development for vaccine programs and includes leadership in adjuvant process development across cross-functional teams.

The candidate will design, execute, and analyze experiments, transfer processes for clinical and commercial manufacture, mentor teammates, and contribute to publications and patents.

Qualifications

• BS or MS in engineering or bio/chemical sciences: Chemical Engineering, Bioengineering, Biomedical Engineering, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Biotechnology.
• For BS candidates, at least two (2) years of experience in a pharmaceutical or biotechnology‑related position.
• For MS candidates, at least one (1) year of post‑graduate experience in bioprocess/biotechnology‑related position or relevant academic research thesis.

Responsibilities

• Independent design, execute, and analyze process development experiments to maximize adjuvant production processes.
• Leadership roles in downstream process design and development for novel adjuvant candidates.
• Represent functional area in cross‑functional and strategic teams engaged in vaccine development.
• Lead tech transfer of vaccine adjuvant processes for clinical and commercial manufacture.
• Serve as a scientific/technical mentor.
• Provide technical guidance in the various aspects of downstream bioprocess/adjuvant development.
• Support strategic initiatives and innovation in the areas of vaccine and advanced biotechnology process development.
• Analysis of experiments through analytical techniques including HPLC, light scattering, and spectroscopy.
• Data interpretation and presentation, manuscript/patent preparation.

Skills

Adaptability

Analytical Chemistry

Biochemistry

Bioprocess Engineering

Chemical Engineering

Data Analysis

Laboratory Analytical Techniques

Molecular Biology

Molecular Cloning

Product Development

Protein Purifications

Education

BS or MS in engineering or bio/chemical sciences

Tools

HPLC

Light Scattering

Spectroscopy

Job description

Job Description Scientist - Downstream Vaccines and Advanced Biotechnologies Process R&D

Our company in the United States and Canada is a global health care leader with a diversified portfolio of prescription medicines, vaccines, and animal health products. Today, we are building a new kind of healthcare company – one that is ready to help create a healthier future for all of us. Our ability to excel depends on the integrity, knowledge, imagination, skill, unique perspectives, and teamwork of an individual like you. To this end, we strive to create an environment of mutual respect, encouragement, and teamwork.

Applications are sought for an opportunity in the Vaccine and Advanced Biotechnologies (VAX) Process R&D department, which is part of our company's Research Labs division. The individual will support our company's downstream process development efforts for Vaccine programs at West Point, PA. VAX Process R&D is responsible for the development and clinical manufacturing of Drug Substance (DS) and Drug Product Intermediates (DPI) for the vaccine and advanced therapy pipeline, spanning from preclinical to commercialization stages.

Responsibilities

The candidate will have scientific/technical contributions and leadership of adjuvant process development, and will also be a critical member of cross‑functional program/project teams. This role will require frequent collaboration with cross‑functional teams including Analytical, Formulation, Process Chemistry, Enabling Technologies, and Manufacturing colleagues.

• Independent design, execute, and analyze process development experiments to maximize adjuvant production processes, thereby de‑risking later stage development and tech transfer.
• Leadership roles in downstream process design and development for novel adjuvant candidates.
• Represent functional area in cross‑functional and strategic teams engaged in vaccine development.
• Lead tech transfer of vaccine adjuvant processes for clinical and commercial manufacture.
• Serve as a scientific/technical mentor.
• Provide technical guidance in the various aspects of downstream bioprocess/adjuvant development.
• Support strategic initiatives and innovation in the areas of vaccine and advanced biotechnology process development.
• Analysis of experiments through analytical techniques including HPLC, light scattering, and spectroscopy.
• Data interpretation and presentation, manuscript/patent preparation.

Education & Experience

Minimum Education Requirement:

• BS or MS in engineering or bio/chemical sciences: Chemical Engineering, Bioengineering, Biomedical Engineering, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Biotechnology
• For BS candidates, at least two (2) years of experience in a pharmaceutical or biotechnology‑related position
• For MS candidates, at least one (1) year of post‑graduate experience in bioprocess/biotechnology‑related position (vaccines and/or therapeutic proteins) or relevant academic research thesis

Required Experience and Skills

• Must have scientific understanding of downstream bioprocess purification processes.
• Scientific understanding of purification operations of large complex molecules.
• Technical understanding of bioprocess scaling principles.
• Prior hands‑on bioprocess development experience through academic lab or industry experience.
• Position requires employee to be willing to work with infectious agents, pathogens and/or potent compounds.
• Position requires occasional travel and off‑hour/weekend work.
• Strong scientific and hands‑on understanding of downstream bioprocess/adjuvant unit operations, biotherapeutic and/or vaccine process development and sound understanding of scale‑up principles.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and in a team‑focused environment.

Preferred Experience and Skills

• Prior hands on experience with any of the following purification bioprocesses: Tee‑mixing, Extrusion, Tangential Flow Filtration, Dead‑End Filtration, Microfiltration or Homogenization.
• Experience in Process Tech Transfer to production facilities.
• Prior hand‑on experience with production or analysis of nano‑particles.
• Strong understanding of, or hands‑on experience in, cGMP manufacturing.

Required Skills

• Adaptability
• Analytical Chemistry
• Biochemistry
• Bioprocess Engineering
• Chemical Engineering
• Data Analysis
• Laboratory Analytical Techniques
• Molecular Biology
• Molecular Cloning
• Product Development
• Protein Purifications

Salary & Benefits

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.

Locations & Eligibility

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.

SanFrancisco Residents Only: We will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records for employment in compliance with the SanFranciscoFairChanceOrdinance.

LosAngeles 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 LosAngeles’ FairChanceInitiative for Hiring Ordinance.

Equal Employment Opportunity & Inclusion

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.

We are 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.