Senior Scientist, Analytical R&D

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

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

401(k) Plan

Paid Holidays

Vacation

Sick Days

Job summary

Merck & Co., Inc. in West Point, PA is seeking a Senior Scientist to join the Vaccine Discovery Analytical Research team. You will lead assay development, applying state-of-the-art analytical techniques to characterize vaccines across platforms and support process, formulation, and method transfers.

The role requires strong separations knowledge, protein characterization, and excellent communication. You will work in a fast-paced, multidisciplinary environment, guiding colleagues and driving

Qualifications

• In-depth knowledge of chemistry and separations (UPLC, HPLC, CE, electrophoresis).
• Experience with protein characterization and interactions (Electrophoresis, SPR, ITC, MALS).
• Troubleshoot separation methodology and solve analytical problems.
• Strong verbal & written communication; multitasking across projects.
• Willingness to learn and take on new challenges.

Responsibilities

• Lead assay development and drive program-level contributions.
• Characterize vaccines supporting process and formulation development.
• Collaborate with product teams across multiple projects.
• Provide technical guidance to other scientists and evaluate new tech.
• Communicate results clearly and present findings to stakeholders.

Skills

Analytical Assays

Analytical Method Development

Biochemical Assays

Biophysical Characterization

Cell-Based Assays

Chemistry

Independent Thinking

Laboratory Instrumentation

Research Programs

Scientific Research

Technical Writing

UPLC

HPLC

CE

SPR

ITC

MALS

NMR

MS

UV-VIS

IR

Scripting

Education

PhD

Master's degree +4+ years

Bachelor's degree +6+ years

Tools

HPLC

UPLC

CE

Electrophoresis

NMR

MS

UV-VIS

IR

MALS

Sparing Tools

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. 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. Additional responsibilities include providing technical guidance to other scientists, evaluating new technologies, and driving innovations to influence trends in industry.

Education Minimum Requirement: PhD or a Master's degree with 4+ years industry, OR a Bachelor's degree with 6+ year experience in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Biochemistry, Structural Biology or a closely 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).

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

The primary location for this posting is: USA - Pennsylvania - West Point

Where required by law, the compensation range for this role is provided below. The salary range for the primary location of this role is: $117,000.00 - $184,200.00 This range reflects the Company's reasonable expectation of the base salary applicable to this role at the time of 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.

Additional location(s): Please note the salary range above applies to the Primary Location of the position. Where a role has other listed locations, different compensation guidelines may apply. You may find the salary ranges for additional locations below. If the salary range is not listed for the location you are applying to, our Talent Acquisition team will provide further information to you relevant to your location.

Additional location(s) Compensation Information: 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 Job Posting End Date: 10/28/2026 *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.

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.