Senior Scientist, Engineering

Merck; New Jersey; On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Merck in New Jersey seeks a Senior Scientist, Engineering within the Chemical Commercialization Technology (CCT) department to develop and optimize safe manufacturing processes for late-stage small molecule projects. The role emphasizes microbial fermentation and downstream processing, with strong focus on technology transfer to commercial manufacturing.

The candidate will mentor junior staff, contribute to capability development, and apply QRM and DOE methods while ensuring cGMP/GDP compliance

Qualifications

• PhD in chemical/bioprocess related field from an accredited university.
• Minimum 3 years of experience in chemical/pharmaceutical process development.
• Experience in microbial fermentation and downstream processing with scale-up/scale-down.
• Ability to mentor staff and collaborate within cross-functional teams.
• Experience with process transfer to pilot plant or manufacturing facility.
• Familiarity with cGMPs and GDPs.

Responsibilities

• Develop safe and robust manufacturing processes for late-stage projects in the small molecule pipeline.
• Optimize enzyme manufacturing process control across scales, leveraging microbial fermentation and downstream processing expertise.
• Mentor junior staff and enhance fermentation and downstream processing capabilities.
• Support transfer of technologies to commercial manufacturing.
• Apply Quality Risk Management and DOE/statistical design tools.

Education

PhD in Chemical Engineering, Bioprocess Engineering, Biological Engineering, Synthetic Biology, or a related field

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. Join our Chemical Commercialization Technology (CCT) department, part of our manufacturing division, and be part of a highly collaborative environment that provides substantial technical responsibility and leadership of internal and external work.

The Chemical Commercialization Technology (CCT) department, which is part of our Company's Manufacturing Division, is seeking self-motivated individuals who are looking for an opportunity to work in a highly collaborative environment that provides substantial technical responsibility and leadership of internal and external work.

The Senior Scientist, Engineering position leverages scientific/technical experience to develop safe and robust manufacturing processes through process characterization, technology transfer, validation, filing and supply support of late-stage projects in the small molecule pipeline. Given the significant role of biocatalysis and enzymes in the portfolio, the ideal candidate should have a specific expertise in microbial fermentation and downstream processing and is expected to draw on their expertise to optimize and fully characterize the enzyme manufacturing process control strategy across different scales. The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in developing internal technical capabilities via mentoring junior staff and enhancing fermentation and downstream processing laboratory capabilities, in addition to supporting transfer of technologies to commercial manufacturing. The candidate will provide scientific expertise by learning and utilizing Quality Risk Management methodologies and tools for statistical design of experiments. This role involves hands-on experimentation at the laboratory bench and kilo lab scales in addition to technology transfer to commercial manufacturing facilities. The scientist will be expected to exhibit a mindset of safety and quality compliance, which will include following current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMPs), and participating in risk assessments, deviation investigations, and Good Documentation Practices (GDPs).

Responsibilities

• Develop safe and robust manufacturing processes through process characterization, technology transfer, validation, filing, and supply support of late-stage projects in the small molecule pipeline.
• Optimize and fully characterize the enzyme manufacturing process control strategy across different scales, leveraging expertise in microbial fermentation and downstream processing.
• Mentor junior staff and enhance fermentation and downstream processing laboratory capabilities.
• Support the transfer of technologies to commercial manufacturing.
• Utilize Quality Risk Management methodologies and tools for statistical design of experiments.
• Conduct hands-on experimentation at the laboratory bench and kilo lab scales.
• Ensure safety and quality compliance, including following current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMPs), and participating in risk assessments, deviation investigations, and Good Documentation Practices (GDPs).

Qualifications

Required

• PhD in Chemical Engineering, Bioprocess Engineering, Biological Engineering, Synthetic Biology, or a related field from an accredited college/university.
• Three years (3) of experience required in chemical, pharmaceutical, large molecule, or vaccine process development.
• Experience and knowledge in microbial fermentation and downstream process development and optimization, as well as process scale-up and scale-down.
• Demonstrated capability to develop and execute an experimental program to address issues of process design, robustness, and productivity.
• Experience with process scale-up and technology transfer, moving from laboratory to pilot plant or factory.
• Ability to mentor technical staff in the laboratory and through data analysis.
• Highly effective communication and collaboration skills.
• Good organizational, interpersonal, writing, and time management skills.
• Lead and operate within a cross-functional process development team.

Preferred

• Experience performing lab-based research/process development including performing unit operations common in small molecule drug substance process development such as chemical reactions, work-up, and crystallization.
• Experience leading file authoring, validation planning, and execution.
• Experience guiding internal/external technical discussions.
• Familiarity with statistical design and analysis tools.
• Familiarity with concepts and application of current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMPs) ideally during pharmaceutical drug substance/drug product development and production, e.g., in a pilot and/or factory setting.
• Experience with mathematical modeling, theoretical scaling calculations, and Quality by Design (QbD) principles.
• Experience supporting/writing regulator