Senior Scientist, Analytical R&D

MSD Malaysia; West Point (PA); On-site; USD 117,000 - 184,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Vision and insurance

401(k)

Paid holidays

Vacation

Sick days

Job summary

MSD Malaysia seeks a Senior Scientist to join the Vaccine Discovery Analytical Research team in West Point, PA. You will lead assay development and drive program-level scientific contributions, collaborating with product teams to characterize vaccines across development, formulation, and transfer—while guiding colleagues and evaluating new technologies.

The role demands strong analytical skills, effective communication, and the ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced,

Qualifications

• In-depth knowledge and understanding of chemistry and separations (UPLC, HPLC, CE, and electrophoresis).
• Experience with protein characterization and protein interactions (Electrophoresis, SPR, ITC, MALS).
• Ability to troubleshoot technical issues related to separation methodology.
• Independent analytical problem-solving capabilities.
• Strong verbal & written communication skills.
• Capable of multi-tasking and managing multiple projects.
• Motivated to learn new skills, willingness to take on new challenges, and scientific curiosity.

Responsibilities

• Lead assay development
• Drive scientific contributions at program levels
• Engage with product teams to characterize vaccines supporting process development, formulation development, vaccine characterization, and method and transfers
• Provide technical guidance to other scientists
• Evaluate new technologies
• Drive innovations to influence trends in industry

Skills

Analytical chemistry

UPLC/HPLC

Protein characterization

Independent analytical problem solving

Strong communication skills

Multi-tasking

Education

PhD or Master’s degree with 4+ years industry OR Bachelor’s degree with 6+ years experience

Tools

Automated laboratory instrumentation

SPR

ITC

MALS

Job description

Job Description

Analytical Enabling Capabilities is seeking a Senior Scientist to join our Vaccine Discovery Analytical Research team located in West Point, PA. In this role, an individual will work with a team of scientists to conduct state-of-the-art analytical techniques, including separations (such as HPLC, UPLC, AF4, electrophoresis, and CE), spectroscopic techniques (NMR, MS, UV-VIS, IR, MALS, and Fluorescence), and classical wet chemistry techniques. The individual should also have in-depth separations knowledge to facilitate vaccine characterization and quality control for a number of vaccine platforms, such as protein, subunit and live virus vaccines.

The responsibilities of this role will be to lead assay development, drive scientific contributions at program levels, and engage with product teams to characterize vaccines supporting process development, formulation development, vaccine characterization, and method and transfers.

• Lead assay development
• Drive scientific contributions at program levels
• Engage with product teams to characterize vaccines supporting process development, formulation development, vaccine characterization, and method and transfers
• Provide technical guidance to other scientists
• Evaluate new technologies
• Drive innovations to influence trends in industry

The incumbent must have strong analytical capabilities, communication skills, demonstrated scientific knowledge, and strong presentation skills. The candidate must be able to prioritize and work in collaborative manner in a fast-paced, integrated, multidisciplinary team environment.

Education Minimum Requirement

PhD or aMaster's degree with4+years industry, OR aBachelor's degree with6+year experience in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Biochemistry, Structural Biology or aclosely related field.

Required Experience and Skills

• In-depth knowledge and understanding of chemistry and separations (UPLC, HPLC, CE, and electrophoresis).
• Experience with protein characterization and protein interactions (Electrophoresis, SPR, ITC, MALS).
• Ability to troubleshoot technical issues related to separation methodology.
• Independent analytical problem-solving capabilities.
• Strong verbal & written communication skills.
• Capable of multi-tasking and managing multiple projects.
• Motivated to learn new skills, willingness to take on new challenges, and scientific curiosity.

Preferred Experience and Skills

• Experience working on vaccine research and/or development.
• Experience with assay robustness evaluation.
• Solid computer skills and ability to script analytical analysis workbooks.
• Experienced with automated laboratory instrumentation, and Experience with biophysical methodologies.

Required Skills

• Analytical Assays
• Analytical Method Development
• Biochemical Assays
• Biophysical Characterization
• Cell-Based Assays
• Chemistry
• Independent Thinking
• Laboratory Instrumentation
• Research Programs
• Scientific Research
• Technical Writing
• Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography (UPLC)

Benefits

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision healthcare and other insurance benefits (for employee and family)
• Retirement benefits, including401(k)
• Paid holidays
• Vacation
• Compassionate and sick days

Company Culture and Commitment to Inclusion

Our company is committed to inclusion, ensuring that candidates can engage in a hiring process that exhibits their true capabilities. 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.

Salary

The salary range for this role is $117,000.00 - $184,200.00. This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting.

Successful candidate will be eligible for annual bonus and long-term incentive, if applicable.

Work Information

Employee Status: Regular
Relocation: Domestic
VISA Sponsorship: No
Travel Requirements: 10%
Flexible Work Arrangements: Not Applicable
Shift: Not Indicated
Valid Driving License: No
Hazardous Material(s): N/A

Location-Based Hire Policies

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

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’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance.

Job Posting End Date

Job Posting End Date: 09/29/2026. 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.

About the Company

Our company is 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.