Senior Scientist - Bioassay Analytical R&D (Onsite)

msd; Rahway (NJ); On-site; USD 117,000 - 184,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Long-term incentive

Comprehensive benefits

401(k) retirement plan

Job summary

Merck & Co., Inc. in Rahway, NJ seeks a Senior Scientist (R3) in Biologics AR&D GMP Operations to optimize assays, validate methods, and lead transfer activities for ELISA and cell-based assays.

The role collaborates with Analytical Development and QA to manage deliverables and support commercialization efforts. The candidate will work in a fast-paced, multidisciplinary environment, supporting lifecycle management and regulatory submissions while occasionally working evenings or weekends as

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in biology/biochemistry or MS with 3+ years experience or BS with 7+ years experience.
• Deep technical expertise with immunoassays and/or cell-based potency methods.
• Proficiency with ELISAs and mammalian cell culture.
• Strong organizational skills with proven ability to manage timelines and deliverables.
• Ability to identify and communicate risks; lead by influencing others.

Responsibilities

• Execute GMP activities including release, stability, and in-process testing of Biologics DS/DP using analytical tools.
• Validate and implement biologics methods to support release and stability testing.
• Support reagent qualifications and SoftMax Pro template validation.
• Serve as SME across franchises and analytical platforms.
• Support biologics registrations, product launches, and troubleshooting.
• Develop and manage project timelines and deliverables.
• Support audits, inspections, and CAPAs; advance matrixed team initiatives.
• Author and review technical documentation for regulatory submissions.

Skills

Immunoassays

Cell-based potency

Mammalian cell culture

ELISA

Project management

Communication

Leadership

Independent work

Education

PhD in biology/biochemistry

MS + 3+ years experience

BS + 7+ years experience

Tools

SoftMax Pro

LIMS

Electronic notebook

qPCR

Capillary electrophoresis

Chromatography

Job description

Job Description

Job Summary:

We are actively seeking an enthusiastic individual to join our Rahway, NJ team as a Senior Scientist (R3) in Biologics Analytical Research & Development (AR&D) GMP Operations, to support ELISA and cell-based methods. In this role, the selected candidate will be responsible for method optimization, phase-appropriate validation, early and late-stage transfers, SoftMax Pro template validation, analytical life cycle management, and release and stability testing. The successful candidate must be able to work in a fast-paced, multidisciplinary environment and will play a pivotal role supporting Biologics to advance commercialization efforts.

The incumbent will collaborate closely with various stakeholders, including Analytical Development, Large Molecule Assay Validation, Quality Assurance, Technical Operations, and CMC Regulatory Affairs, to address technical challenges, provide scientifically sound guidance at each stage of development, and effectively manage deliverables to progress the pipeline.

Responsibilities:

• Execute Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) activities such as release, stability, and in-process testing of Biologics Drug Substance (DS) and Drug Product (DP) using both traditional and advanced analytical tools.
• Validate and implement biologics methods to support release and stability testing of clinical materials.
• Support critical reagent qualifications and SoftMax pro template validation activities.
• Act as subject matter expert (SME) across various franchises and analytical platforms.
• Support biologics registrations, product launches, and troubleshooting activities.
• Develop and manage project timelines and deliverables.
• Support compliance audits, inspection activities, and investigation/CAPAs.
• Advance strategic initiatives across matrixed teams.
• Author and review technical documentation including regulatory submissions.
• Additional responsibilities as assigned to support the evolving needs of the department.

Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in biology, biochemistry or related field or M.S. with a minimum of 3 years of relevant experience or B.S. with a minimum of 7 years of relevant experience.

Experience and Skills:

Required

• Deep technical expertise with immunoassays and/or cell-based potency methods.
• Proficiencies with mammalian cell culture and ELISAs.
• Strong organizational skills with proven ability to manage timelines and deliverables.
• Ability to pro-actively identify and communicate risks.
• Demonstrated capability of finding innovative solutions to technical issues.
• Capability to work independently and within a matrixed team.
• Effective communication (oral and written) and leadership skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills with adeptness to lead by influencing others.
• Self-motivated with a positive attitude and proven performance record.
• A willingness to occasionally work irregular hours, including evenings and weekends, as needed.

Preferred

• GMP experience is highly preferred.
• Experience with LIMS, SoftMax Pro, electronic notebook, and/or other data analytics platforms.
• Knowledge of cGxP operation, USP, EP, ICH, and FDA guidelines.
• Experience with analytical method validation and life cycle management.
• Deviation management and change control processes.
• Experience with method development or regulatory submissions.
• Experience with SoftMax Pro template creation is highly preferred.
• Experience with residual assays, qPCR, capillary electrophoresis, chromatographic separations or compendial methods is desirable.

Required Skills:

Cell-Based Assays, Cell Cultures, Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA), SoftMax Pro

Preferred Skills:

Analytical Development, GxPs

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.

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.

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.

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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

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Not Applicable

Job Posting End Date:

10/10/2026

*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.