Job Description
We are seeking a Senior Scientist to join our Data-Rich Experimentation (DRE) organization, within Process Research & Developing Enabling Technologies (PR&D ET), located in Rahway, NJ.
Primary Responsibilities:
In this role, the chosen candidate will work with a team of scientists and engineers tasked with identifying, developing, and deploying data-rich technologies aimed at improving the manner in which process understanding is gathered. The tools that we develop are as diverse as the team developing them, and in this Senior Scientist role, the chosen candidate will leverage technologies spanning custom automation, systems and hardware integration, and mechatronics to enable our process research and development efforts across our company small molecule, biologics, and vaccines portfolio.
Our DRE organization is responsible for the invention and application of new data-rich tools to support the scientists and engineers across process research and development at our company. We aspire to embed data-intense technologies into the fabric of our company process development culture. This Senior Scientist role is a scientific, laboratory-based position tasked with solving complex process research and development challenges in an interdisciplinary, collaborative environment via invention, development, and application of custom automation technologies. Ultimately, using custom automation and integrated systems and hardware capabilities, we aim to elucidate a deeper understanding of our processes across diverse medicines and vaccines.
In this Senior Scientist role, the chosen candidate will leverage laboratory automation capabilities to help advance process-focused scientific research. This includes, but is not limited to, developing custom automation technologies to enable process development, delivering solutions for integrating diverse hardware and software capabilities across process and analytical equipment and instrumentation, leveraging state-of-the-art robotics to automate mechanical systems, sensors, and other laboratory tools, and inventing innovative mechatronics-based approaches to enable process development across modalities (i.e., small molecules, biologics, and vaccines) and scales (i.e., high-throughput scale, laboratory scale, and commercial scale). As such, the chosen candidate should have a robust background in automation technologies and systems integration, with an emphasis on developing creative new solutions to enable pharmaceutical process development.
In addition to a passion for custom automation and mechatronics, the chosen candidate should have excellent interpersonal, communication, and collaboration skills. The chosen candidate should embrace and model our core values of diversity and inclusion, including fostering a supportive culture where all can thrive. The chosen candidate should be able to effectively collaborate in a dynamic, integrated, and multidisciplinary team environment. The chosen candidate should demonstrate a clear ability to perform impactful scientific innovation in a team-oriented manner that builds trusted partnerships across vast stakeholder networks. The chosen candidate should have a demonstrated ability to publish and present research, including an established track record of interaction with the broader academic community. The chosen candidate will join a diverse group of scientific problem solvers who are dedicated to creating the life-changing medicines and vaccines of tomorrow.
Education Minimum Requirement:
A Ph.D. in Engineering, Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or a closely related field
A M.S. in Engineering, Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or a closely related field with at least 3 years of industrial/pharmaceutical experience
A B.S. in in Engineering, Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or a closely related field with at least 5 years of industrial/pharmaceutical experience
Required Experience and Skills:
Background and experience in laboratory automation.
Highly motivated and technology-centric scientist that is passionate about modernizing our company process development practices across biologics, vaccines, and small molecule modalities.
Demonstrated scientific ability through publications and presentations in scientific conferences.
Excellent communication skills, demonstrated creativity, and effective interpersonal skills.
Ability to deliver complex solutions under compressed timelines in a dynamic environment.
Ability to work in a team environment with cross-functional interactions.
Preferred Experience and Skills :
Background in leveraging a broad range of custom automation tools, including development and application of technologies to integrate diverse systems and hardware.
Expertise in robotics, mechatronics, mechanical and electrical engineering, including designing and deploying integrated sensors, mechanical systems, instrumentation, and process- and analytical-focused equipment.
Experience in new technology research, including a demonstrated track record of identifying, developing, and deploying data-rich tools and methodologies.
Collaborative research efforts that are praised by the broader scientific community and are exemplary of a multidisciplinary group.
Evidence of cross-functional collaboration in an academic or industrial setting.
Motivated to learn new skills, willingness to take on new challenges, and scientific curiosity.
To learn more about the PRD team, click: Join Our Process Research & Development Team (https://jobs.merck.com/us/en/Process-Research-Development) .
eligibleforERP
PRD
Required Skills:
Adaptability, Adaptability, Automation Engineering, Automation Framework Design, Biological Sciences, Bioprocessing, Chemistry, Collaborative Communications, Collaborative Research, Cross-Functional Teamwork, Data Analysis, Drug Delivery Technology, Flow Cytometry, High-Throughput Screening, Innovative Thinking, Interpersonal Relationships, Laboratory Automation, Laboratory Scales, Molecular Biology Techniques, Multi-Color Flow Cytometry, Preformulation, Process Optimization, Process Research, Protein Biochemistry, Protein Purifications {+ 1 more}
Preferred Skills:
Current Employees apply HERE (https://wd5.myworkday.com/msd/d/task/1422$6687.htmld)
Current Contingent Workers apply HERE (https://wd5.myworkday.com/msd/d/task/1422$4020.htmld)
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 (https://survey.sogosurvey.com/r/aCdfqL) 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 (https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2022-10/22-088\EEOC\KnowYourRights\10\20.pdf)
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 (https://www.msdprivacy.com/us/en/CCPA-notice/)
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
$114,700.00 - $180,500.00
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:
Domestic/International
VISA Sponsorship:
Yes
Travel Requirements:
10%
Flexible Work Arrangements:
Not Applicable
Shift:
1st - Day
Valid Driving License:
No
Hazardous Material(s):
n/a
Job Posting End Date:
11/17/2025
*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: R372226
