Senior Scientist, Biologics Drug Substance Commercialization Process Analytics

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

Job summary

Merck is seeking a Senior Scientist in Process Analytics to lead analytical strategy across a biologics pipeline. You will influence method development, lifecycle activities, and cross-functional collaboration to ensure rigorous analytical standards and operational readiness as programs move from early research to production-ready processes.

The role emphasizes technical leadership, data interpretation, and effective communication with stakeholders across development and commercialization teams,

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree with six years of industry experience; OR Master's with four years; OR Ph.D. with no minimum experience.
• Strong analytical background with ability to provide technical guidance and sound judgment.
• Collaborative mindset with ability to work across teams and functions.
• High ethics, compliance, and documentation standards.
• Experience supporting process development and commercialization activities.

Responsibilities

• Provide scientific leadership for the Process Analytics team and align across programs.
• Guide routine testing, troubleshoot, and enable robust data analysis.
• Collaborate with drug substance/product teams to support lifecycle activities.
• Prioritize testing and manage multiple projects
• Establish new methods and ensure readiness for implementation.
• Author technical protocols, reports, and regulatory documents for comparability studies.
• Mentor lab staff and foster a high-performing team culture.

Skills

Analytical Thinking

Cross-Functional Collaboration

Scientific Leadership

Analytical Chemistry

Data Analysis & Visualization

Troubleshooting

Communication Skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering / related field

Master's degree with 4+ years experience

Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering / related field

Tools

HPLC/UPLC

Capillary Electrophoresis

IEX/SEC/HIC

Empower chromatography data system

Job description

Job Description

We aspire to be the premier research-intensive biopharmaceutical company. We're at the forefront of research to deliver innovative health solutions that advance the prevention and treatment of diseases in people and animals.

As a Senior Scientist in Process Analytics, you’ll be at the forefront of scientific problem-solving and technical leadership, partnering cross-functionally to support process development, method establishment, and lifecycle activities for a diverse biologics pipeline. Your contributions will help ensure scientific rigor, analytical excellence, and operational readiness as programs transition from being supported in our research & development division analytic teams to BDSC Process Analytics.

Responsibilities

• Provide insight, guidance, and scientific leadership to the broader team. Serve as a technical leader for the Process Analytics team and support alignment and standardization efforts across programs and stakeholders.
• Bring strong analytical experience to guide routine testing teams, support troubleshooting, and enable robust data analysis. Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, strengthen methods, and support innovative approaches to analytical problem-solving.
• Collaborate closely with drug substance and drug product process teams, broader analytical network, and other stakeholders to ensure integrated support across the product lifecycle.
• Serve as a point of contact for late-stage pipeline and newly launched commercial programs and support effective testing prioritization across multiple projects and competing demands. Demonstrate strong organizational and project management skills in a dynamic environment.
• Support and oversee the establishment of new methods within BDSC Process Analytics team, including handoff from research analytic teams to BDSC Process Analytics, ensuring technical readiness for implementation.
• Author technical protocols, reports, and regulatory documents in support of process comparability studies.
• Demonstrate excellent ethics, compliance, and integrity while maintaining high standards for scientific rigor, documentation, and team expectations.
• Provide support and guidance to the lab lead and help foster a collaborative, accountable, and high-performing team culture.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Bioengineering, Biological Engineering, Analytical Chemistry, Chemistry or a related field with six (6) years of required industry experience; OR Master's degree with four (4) years; OR Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, Bioengineering, Biological Engineering, Analytical Chemistry, Chemistry or a related field with no minimum required experience.
• Strong analytical background with the ability to provide technical guidance and sound scientific judgment.
• Collaborative mindset and ability to work effectively across teams and functions.
• Critical thinking and strong troubleshooting skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, ambiguous environment.
• High standards for ethics, compliance, and documentation.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Ability to influence without authority and build trust across teams.
• Experience supporting process development and commercialization activities.

Preferred

• Knowledge of critical quality attributes of biopharmaceutical products and how to test them.
• Experience with HPLC/UPLC/capillary electrophoresis executions and data analysis of therapeutic proteins using various techniques such as IEX, SEC, HIC, including method development and troubleshooting.
• Familiarity with analytical characterization techniques including capillary electrophoresis, icIEF, ELISA, PCR, SoloVPE, and detection methods such as CAD, fluorescence.
• Experience working as a productive member of cross-functional teams.
• Strong written and oral communication skills for scientific audiences and broader organizations.
• Understanding of ICH Guidelines and experience with current good manufacturing practices.
• Experience with biologics commercial process development, including process characterization, process validation, and tech transfer.
• Understanding of analytical method qualification.
• Familiarity with small-scale sample purification using TECAN system.
• Proven track record of collaborating across organizational boundaries to drive results.
• Experience leading cross-functional teams.
• Experience working with external partners in analytical or process engineering roles.
• Experience with electronic laboratory notebook systems and good documentation practices.
• High level of proficiency with data analysis and visualization tools.
• Experience with Empower or other chromatography data systems.
• Strong attention to detail and quick learner.
• Motivation to learn new skills, willingness to take on new challenges, and scientific curiosity.

Required Skills:

Adaptability, Adaptability, Analytical Thinking, Biologics, Bioreactors, cGMP Regulations, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Chromatographic Techniques, Clinical Judgment, Commercialization, Corporate Ethics, Cross-Functional Project Management, Data Analysis Tools, Design of Experiments (DOE), Detail-Oriented, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Method Improvement, Next Generation Science Standards, Pharmaceutical Products, Process Design, Process Development (PD), Process Optimization, Process Scale Up, Regulatory Submissions {+ 6 more}

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:

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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.

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.

You can apply for this role through https://jobs.merck.com/us/en (or via the Workday Jobs Hub if you are a current employee). 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

Employee Status: Regular

Relocation: Domestic

VISA Sponsorship: No

Travel Requirements: No Travel Required

Flexible Work Arrangements: Not Applicable

Shift: 1st - Day

Valid Driving License: No

Hazardous Material(s): n/a

Job Posting End Date: 10/7/2026

*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.