Job Description

Our Research Scientists are our Inventors. We identify and target steps in disease mechanisms or pathways that could be inhibited or enhanced. Our goal is to isolate a compound that is effective against a disease target. Using innovative thinking, state-of-the-art facilities, and robust scientific methodology, we collaborate to discover the next medical breakthrough.

Seeking candidates for an Associate Specialist position within our company’s research laboratories Biologics Pilot Plant (BPP) Process Engineering Tech Transfer Team. This person will work on the preparation and support execution of pilot-scale campaigns for the Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) manufacture of bulk vaccine and biologics clinical supplies. This will include unit operations in either an upstream or downstream area. The ideal candidate will possess an understanding of vaccine development, process engineering, and regulatory compliance, along with excellent project management skills. Some overtime, including weekends and occasional second and third shift work, will be required. Assignments include all aspects of equipment readiness, such as qualification and preparation, along with execution during GMP campaigns.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Perform unit operations e.g., cell culture, virus production, microbial fermentation, tangential flow filtration, dead-end filtration, homogenization, chromatography, etc.

• Operating equipment including cleaning and sanitization.

• Prepare critical documentation such as standard operating procedures.

• Participate in equipment start-up activities.

• Maintain training compliance on GMP and safety initiatives.

• Stay informed on industry trends and advancements in vaccine technology to contribute to continuous improvement initiatives within the organization.

Education Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Biological Sciences or related field.

Required Experience and Skills:

• Works well in a team environment

• Able to prioritize work with organizational skills

• Principled verbal and written communications

Preferred Experience and Skills:

• GMP manufacturing of biologicals or vaccines and/or process development activities

• Knowledge of current GMP regulations

Required Skills:

Cell Cultures, Cell Cultures, Cell Physiology, Chemical Engineering, Chromatography, Contractor Oversight, Driving Continuous Improvement, Engineering Standards, Equipment Qualification, Estimation and Planning, GMP Compliance, GMP Validation, Lean Manufacturing, Mammalian Cell Culture, Manufacturing Quality Control, Manufacturing Scale-Up, Process Control, Process Engineering, Process Optimization, Process Scale Up, Process Technologies, Regulatory Compliance, Tangential Flow Filtration (TFF), Teamwork, Vaccine Development {+ 1 more}

Preferred Skills:

Current Employees apply HERE

Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

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:

EEOC Know Your Rights

EEOC GINA Supplement

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

U.S.

Hybrid Work Model:

• Effective September 5, 2023, employees in office-based positions in the U.S. will be working a Hybrid work consisting of three total days on-site per week, Monday
• Thursday, although the specific days may vary by site or organization, with Friday designated as a remote-working day, unless business critical tasks require an on-site presence.

This Hybrid work model does not apply to, and daily in-person attendance is required for, field-based positions; facility-based, manufacturing-based, or research-based positions where the work to be performed is located at a Company site; positions covered by a collective-bargaining agreement (unless the agreement provides for hybrid work); or any other position for which the Company has determined the job requirements cannot be reasonably met working remotely. Please note, this Hybrid work model guidance also does not apply to roles that have been designated as “remote”.

The salary range for this role is

$71,900.00 - $113,200.00

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

Search Firm Representatives Please Read Carefully

Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, Rahway, NJ, USA, does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. All CVs / resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at our company without a valid written search agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of our company. No fee will be paid in the event a candidate is hired by our company as a result of an agency referral where no pre-existing agreement is in place. Where agency agreements are in place, introductions are position specific. Please, no phone calls or emails.

Employee Status:

Regular

Relocation:

No relocation

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:

04/22/2026

**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.