Senior Principal Scientist, Downstream Biologics Process Development

Scorpion Therapeutics; United States; Hybrid; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading biopharmaceutical company is seeking a Senior Principal Scientist to lead downstream bioprocessing initiatives. The role involves driving innovation, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, and ensuring the successful commercialization of biologics. Ideal candidates will have a Ph.D. and extensive experience in the field.

Benefits

Bonus eligibility

Health care and insurance benefits

Retirement benefits

Paid holidays and vacation

Qualifications

• Ph.D. with 10+ years, MS with 12+ years, or BS with 14+ years of industry experience.
• In-depth knowledge of downstream processing of biologics.
• Proven track record in purification process development.

Responsibilities

• Drive innovation across the Biologics pipeline and strategy.
• Lead development of scalable purification processes.
• Collaborate with teams to solve scientific challenges.

Skills

Downstream processing

Biologics CMC development

Scientific leadership

Problem-solving

Interpersonal skills

Education

Ph.D. in Chemical/Biochemical Engineering or related field

Job description

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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.

BPR&D within our company's Research Laboratories is committed to rapidly delivering diverse biotherapeutics to patients by efficiently developing innovative and robust manufacturing processes and technologies. To achieve our goals, we work closely with colleagues in Discovery, Pre-clinical, Early Development, Analytical, Formulation, and Commercial Manufacturing, all within a diverse and inclusive environment. In addition to process development for pipeline biologics, we are focused on innovating and building next-generation biomanufacturing technologies. This includes investments in continuous manufacturing, green and sustainable processes, and proprietary technology platforms. We actively publish and engage with the scientific community to influence the field.

As a Senior Principal Scientist, you will drive various strategic initiatives and translate strategies into implementation for our company's Downstream Processing of Biologics. You will collaborate with a creative and dedicated team of scientists and engineers to design purification processes while developing and applying strategies related to downstream processing for drug candidates in both 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 purification processes for biologics in various stages of clinical development, as well as process characterization and regulatory filings for successful commercialization.
• Improve downstream 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 downstream bioprocess expert/co-leader in internal and cross-functional project teams.
• Supervise, coach, and develop talent within the functional area; guide career development; build strong, collaborative teams.
• Champion compliance and safety while promoting a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Minimum Education Requirements

Ph.D. with 10+ years, MS with 12+ years, or BS with 14+ years of industry experience in Chemical/Biochemical Engineering or a related field.

Required Experience, Skills, And Competencies

• In-depth knowledge and expertise in downstream processing of biologics, biologics CMC development, and the associated challenges.
• Extensive experience in conducting and directing the design, execution, analysis, and documentation of purification process development.
• Proven track record of accomplishments in downstream bioprocessing, including peer-reviewed publications and presentations.
• 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 diverse set of programs.
• Action-oriented mindset with a capacity for creativity; ability to take initiative, innovate, iterate, and solve problems.
• Supervise and coach 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.
• High-throughput methodologies, experimentation, automation, and process control.
• Knowledge of protein expression, analytics, conjugation chemistry, and formulation Skills with biophysical, mechanistic, and facility modeling; statistical analysis, digitalization, machine learning, and artificial intelligence are a plus.

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.

Requirements

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 Company is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the salary range for this job in certain states and cities within the United States. Final determinations with respect to salary will take into account a number of factors, which may include, but not be limited to the primary work location and the chosen candidate’s relevant skills, experience, and education.

Expected US Salary Range

$164,800.00 - $259,400.00

Available benefits include bonus eligibility, long term incentive if applicable, health care and other insurance benefits (for employee and family), retirement benefits, paid holidays, vacation, and sick days. A summary of benefits is listed here.

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:

Domestic

VISA Sponsorship

Yes

Travel Requirements

10%

Flexible Work Arrangements

Not Applicable

Shift

Not Indicated

Valid Driving License

No

Hazardous Material(s)

n/a

Required Skills

Preferred Skills:

Job Posting End Date

05/30/2025

A job posting is effective until 11:59:59 PM 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:R327178