Senior Specialist, Biotechnology Solutions (Tech Ops)

HireLifeScience; Elkhorn Precinct (NE); On-site; USD 117,000 - 184,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Vision care

Retirement benefits (401(k)

Paid holidays

Vacation

Compassionate and sick days

Job summary

Merck is seeking a Senior Specialist in Biosafety and Biotechnology Solutions to support production troubleshooting, vaccine process development, and tech transfers at the Elkhorn site. The role involves collaboration with Operations, Quality Control, QA, Analytical Testing Development, Maintenance, Planning and R&D to drive process improvements and safe manufacturing practices.

Ideal candidates will have 5+ years of vaccine bioprocessing experience, strong biosafety knowledge, and excellent

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a biological science, engineering (general, chemical, biological, biochemical), chemistry or related field.
• Master’s degree or PhD in a related discipline is preferred.
• 5+ years' experience in vaccine bioprocessing, vaccine production support, or vaccine process development.
• Strong knowledge of biosafety, aseptic technique and best practices.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead production investigations and support daily technical activities within production, implementing process improvements.
• Provide guidance on product impact from technical or compliance deviations with minimal supervision.
• Understand and lead process development capabilities within the Biotechnology Solutions development lab.
• Collaboration and Culture: Create an open culture of learning, acceptance, and respect within the team and across departments.

Skills

Vaccine bioprocessing

Bioprocessing knowledge

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Team communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in biological sciences or related field

Master's degree or PhD preferred

Tools

Minitab

Job description

Job Description

The Sr. Specialist in Biosafety and Biotechnology Solutions (BTS) is responsible for supporting production troubleshooting and optimization, vaccine process development, tech transfers and key business initiatives at the Elkhorn Animal Health site. This position sits within the BTS organization and reports to the Site BTS Director/Lead at Elkhorn, NE; while also collaborating closely with the other teams such as Operations, Quality Control, Quality Assurance, Analytical Testing Development, Maintenance, Planning and R&D.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead production investigations and support daily technical activities within production, implementing process improvements.
• Provide guidance on product impact from technical or compliance deviations with minimal supervision.
• Understand and lead process development capabilities within the Biotechnology Solutions development lab.
• Collaboration and Culture:
  • Create an open culture of learning, acceptance, and respect within the team and across departments.
  • Promote a culture of safety and biosafety awareness throughout the organization.

Minimum Qualifications & Skills

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in a biological science, engineering (general, chemical, biological, biochemical), chemistry, biochemistry or a related field.
• Master's degree or PhD in a related discipline is preferred.

Experience & Skills:

• 5+ years' experience in vaccine bioprocessing, vaccine production support, or vaccine process development, with demonstrated expertise in laboratory safety and risk assessment.
• Strong knowledge of biosafety, aseptic technique and best practices.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to convey complex information clearly to audiences.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Enthusiasm for continuous learning and imparting knowledge to others.

Preferred Skills and experience

• Prior experience supporting an FDA or USDA-regulated manufacturing environment.
• Previous operations management experience
• Lean and Six Sigma skills.
• Statistical math skills using Minitab.
• Previous people management experience

Required Skills

Biologics, Bioprocess Engineering, Bioprocesses, CMC Biologics, Coaching, Collaboration, Problem Solving, Process Development (PD), Process Improvements, Upstream Processing, Vaccine Manufacturing

Preferred Skills

• Leadership

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.

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer

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.

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Salary Range

$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.

Benefits

• medical
• dental
• vision healthcare and other insurance benefits (for employee and family)
• retirement benefits, including 401(k)
• paid holidays
• vacation
• 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

10%

Flexible Work Arrangements

Not Applicable

Shift

1st - Day

Valid Driving License

Yes

Hazardous Material(s)

N/A

Job Posting End Date

10/20/2026