Senior Scientist, Vaccine Analytics & Assay Development

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

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