Senior Scientist, Pharmacokinetics

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

Job summary

Merck in West Point, PA, seeks a Senior Robotics Engineer for the Regulated Robotics team to advance end-to-end lab automation across the Regulated Bioanalytics Department and the AdVAnce GxP facility. You will set up, operate, troubleshoot, and optimize automated platforms, collaborating with assay staff and external vendors to minimize downtime and accelerate late-stage clinical data generation.

Responsibilities include integration of Beckman, Tecan, Hamilton instruments, development of liquid

Qualifications

• BA/BS in Engineering, Biotechnology, Computer Science or equivalent with at least 7 years, MS with at least 3 years, or PhD with hands-on experience in related field.
• Strong automation and lab platform integration experience.
• Experience with commercial laboratory software and equipment (Momentum, Green Button Go, Cellario, Beckman, Tecan, Hamilton, Brooks).

Responsibilities

• Program and integrate laboratory instrumentation from vendors such as Beckman Coulter, Hamilton, Tecan, etc.
• Develop and optimize liquid handling protocols on Biomek/Hamilton/Tecan and perform liquid class validation.
• Coordinate with vendors to support and service equipment to minimize downtime.
• Responsible for operations, troubleshooting, and optimization of novel robotic platforms.

Skills

Biochemical Assays

Cell-Based Assays

Detail-Oriented

Flow Cytometry

Ligand Binding Assay

LC-MS

Mass Spectrometry

Partnership Strategy

Teamwork

Education

Engineering/CS degree

Tools

Momentum

Green Button Go

Cellario

Beckman

Tecan

Hamilton

Brooks

Job description

Job Description

The PDMB Regulated Bioanalytics Department is seeking a Senior Robotics Engineer to join our Regulated Robotics group. This role will support work across groups within the Regulated Bioanalytics Department, including work at our company’s new state-of-the-art AdVAnce GxP research facility in West Point, PA. At this new facility, we will combine the power of innovative robotics, IT platforms, and science to accelerate multiple modalities and enable late-stage clinical trials through the generation of timely, high-quality regulated bioanalytical data.

The selected individual will provide excellent automation and operational support to our scientific partners. Specifically, the individual will be responsible for the set up and operation of state-of-the-art, end-to-end laboratory automation systems. This individual will provide high level automation and engineering support, troubleshooting, and assist in the design and fabrication of components to support the clinical research environment. The individual must also have the mindset to sustain and operate the systems they have helped build and organize.

Education Minimum Requirement

• BA/BS in Engineering, Biotechnology, Computer Science or equivalent with at least 7 years, MS with at least 3 years, or PhD with hands‑on experience in related field

Responsibilities

Liquid Handling / Automation Integration

• Program and integrate laboratory instrumentation from vendors such as Beckman Coulter, Hamilton, Tecan etc.
• Develop and optimize liquid handling protocols on Biomek/Hamilton/Tecan as well as perform liquid class validation
• Coordinate with vendors to support and service equipment to minimize down time
• Responsible for operations, troubleshooting, and optimization of novel robotic platforms

Team Interface

• Act collaboratively to solve problems and resolve new and unique situations with professionalism and service orientation
• Provide timely scientific support to assay staff while maintaining project timelines
• Empower, coach, and grow our scientific partners as they transfer their experiments to robotic platforms

Project Support

• Procure material required for assay execution, system builds, and general laboratory support
• Develop and execute installation, testing, and validation procedures on novel automation platforms
• Coordinate installation requirements with Safety and Facilities

Process Optimization

• Seek to continuously improve processes, systems, and overall client satisfaction
• Provide direction/information to vendors, suppliers, facilities staff, and service providers as required, ensuring excellent coordination/execution of work within the client environment with minimal disruption, as needed

Required Experience & Skills

• This is primarily an in-the-lab position that will require the selected individual to be 100% on site
• High level of automation and engineering competency and technical expertise in the areas of integration, robotics, liquid handling, software, and electro‑mechanical solutions, and ability to apply this expertise to continuously improve the organization’s technical competency and output
• Ability to build and maintain strong relationships with site leaders, corporate management, and other stakeholders to ensure effective communication of plans and issues
• Ability to prioritize projects and resources to deliver required level of output and support to customers
• Ability to work independently
• Experience with commercial laboratory software and equipment (e.g., Momentum, Green Button Go, Cellario, Beckman, Tecan, Hamilton, Brooks)

Preferred Experience & Skills

• Experience working in pharmaceutical or biotech companies and/or laboratory experience
• A cursory understanding of bench science
• Experience with Microsoft programming languages (e.g., VB, Python, C#, SQL)
• Regulated or Clinical operation and documentation experience (e.g., GxP)
• Laboratory Field Service experience

Required Skills

Biochemical Assays, Cell‑Based Assays, Detail‑Oriented, Flow Cytometry, Ligand Binding Assay, Liquid Chromatography‑Mass Spectrometry (LC‑MS), Mass Spectrometry Analysis, Partnership Strategy, Teamwork

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:

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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.

Learn more about your rights, including under California, Colorado and other US State Acts

Salary

The salary range for this role is

$117,000.00 - $184,200.00

The successful candidate will be eligible for annual bonus and long‑term incentive, if applicable.

Benefits

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.

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

No relocation

VISA Sponsorship

No

Travel Requirements

No Travel Required

Flexible Work Arrangements

Not Applicable

Shift

Not Indicated

Valid Driving License

No

Hazardous Material(s)

N/A

Job Posting End Date

09/2/2026

• 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

R413508