Senior Principal Scientist, Upstream Process Development Group Lead

Merck; Rahway (NJ); On-site; USD 180,000 - 235,000; Full time

Job summary

Merck in Rahway, NJ is seeking a Senior Principal Scientist to lead upstream bioprocess development for biologics across early- and late-stage development.

You will supervise 3–5 scientists, develop robust, scalable processes, and drive strategic initiatives with cross-functional teams in a fast-paced, matrixed environment.

Strong leadership in CMC, cell culture, and process characterization is required, with a track record of program impact and peer‑reviewed publications.

Qualifications

• PhD with 10+ years or equivalent post-PhD experience in biologics process development.
• Experience leading upstream cell-culture process development and scale-up.
• Proven ability to publish and present in peer-reviewed venues.
• Ability to lead cross-functional, matrixed teams under tight timelines.

Responsibilities

• Shape and drive innovation across the Biologics pipeline and science.
• Lead development of scalable upstream processes for biologics in clinical stages.
• Mentor 3–5 scientists and develop talent within the group.
• Collaborate with academia, industry, and vendors to adopt new technologies.
• Coordinate with senior leaders to set project strategy and execution.
• Ensure compliance and safety while promoting inclusion.
• Stay updated on regulatory landscape; contribute to publications and conferences.

Skills

Cell culture

Bioreactor scale-up

Upstream bioprocessing

Scientific leadership

Cross-functional leadership

Mentoring

Regulatory awareness

Process characterization

Protein expression

Project management

Education

PhD in Chemical/Biochemical Engineering

MS in Chemical/Biochemical Engineering

BS in Chemical/Biochemical Engineering

Related field (Senior Principal Scientist)

Job description

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 Research & Development Division is committed to rapidly delivering 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 an 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/Principal Scientist, you will drive various strategic initiatives and translate strategies into implementation for Biologics platform. You will collaborate with an immensely creative and collaborative team of scientists and engineers to design upstream, cell-culture processes while developing technical strategies related to upstream processing and recombinant expression of drug candidates in 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 upstream processes for biologics in various stages of clinical development, as well as process characterization and regulatory filings for successful commercialization.
• Improve upstream 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 upstream bioprocess expert/co-leader in internal and cross-functional project teams.
• Direct supervision of 3-5 scientists, accountable for development and growth of a cohesive group and direct reports
• Mentor and actively share expertise across teams; guide career development within and outside the group; build strong, collaborative connections in matrix teams
• Champion compliance and safety while promoting a culture of inclusion.

Minimum Education Requirements

• Ph.D. with 10+ years, MS with 12+ years, or BS with 14+ and Ph.D. with 6+ years
• MS with 8+ years, or BS with 10+years of industry experience in Chemical/Biochemical Engineering
• Or a related field for Senior Principal Scientist position and Principal Scientist position, respectively.

Required Experience, Skills, And Competencies

• Strong fundamental knowledge and subject matter expertise in cell-culture process development for biologics, fed-batch cell culture, bioreactor scale-up and scale-down, as well as recent advances, and challenges in the field
• Expertise in independently conducting and directing the design, execution, analysis, and documentation of all stages of cell-culture process development
• Track record of accomplishments in upstream bioprocessing with a history of peer-reviewed publications and presentations. Strong understanding of cell metabolism and biochemical pathways relevant to bioprocessing.
• Knowledge of biologics CMC development.
• 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 set of programs.
• Action-oriented mindset with a capacity for creativity; ability to take initiative, innovate, iterate, and solve problems.
• Supervise, coach and mentor 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.
• Knowhow of intensified inoculum and perfusion process development.
• Expertise in media/feed development and relevant chemistry.
• High-throughput experimentation, automation, and process control.
• Knowledge of microbial fermentation.
• Cell culture predictive modeling (omics (transcriptomics, metabolomics, or/and proteomics), metabolic flux analysis); statistics, data-science, machine learning, artificial intelligence.
• Process characterization and validation, CDMO supervision, commercialization of biologics.

Required Skills

Bioanalytical Techniques, Biologics, Bioprocess Engineering, Bioreactors, Business Process Documentation, Cell Culture Techniques, Chemistry, Commercialization, Downstream Processing, Evaluating New Technologies, Exercises Judgment, Experimentation, Good Laboratory Practices (GLPs), Intellectual Curiosity, Matrix Management, Process Development (PD), Process Implementations, Process Scale Up, Protein Characterization, Protein Isolation, Research Programs, Technology Development

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.

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.

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