Senior Scientist, Analytical R&D

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

Job summary

Merck is seeking a Senior Scientist to join the Vaccine Discovery Analytical Research team in West Point, PA. You will lead assay development and apply state-of-the-art analytical methods including HPLC, UPLC, AF4, electrophoresis, NMR, MS, and other spectroscopic techniques to characterize vaccines across platforms such as protein, subunit, and live virus vaccines.

You will work in a fast-paced, multidisciplinary team, prioritizing projects, guiding technical direction, and communicating

Qualifications

• PhD or MS with 4+ years industry experience.
• Strong knowledge of chemistry and separations (UPLC, HPLC, CE).
• Experience with protein characterization and interactions (SPR, ITC, MALS).
• Ability to troubleshoot separation methods.
• Independent analytical problem-solving and communication skills.
• Willingness to learn and take on challenges.

Responsibilities

• Lead assay development and drive scientific contributions at program level.
• Collaborate with product teams to characterize vaccines and support development.
• Own method transfers and contribute to vaccine formulation and characterization.
• Provide technical guidance to fellow scientists and evaluate new tech.

Skills

Chemistry & separations

Protein characterization

Communication skills

Analytical problem solving

Multi-tasking

Learning mindset

Education

PhD in Chemistry/Engineering/Related

Master's +4+ years industry

Bachelor's +6+ years industry

Tools

UPLC/HPLC/CE instruments

NMR

MS

Automated instrumentation

Scripting in analysis

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.

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)

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.

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 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. 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.

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.

The application deadline for this position is stated on this posting.

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

No

Travel Requirements

10%

Flexible Work Arrangements

Not Applicable

Shift

Not Indicated

Valid Driving License

No

Hazardous Material(s)

N/A

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.

Requisition ID

R417703