Senior Scientist, Analytical R&D
San Francisco, CA - USA
Job Summary
Job Description
Global Quality Large Molecule Analytical Sciences (GQ- LMAS) in our Manufacturing Division is accountable for the commercialization of large molecule vaccines and biologics analytical techniques from Phase III through launch and transfer to supply. This team is highly motivated fast-paced and focused on the rapid advancement of our Companys large molecule pipeline plus growth of existing products.
This position will involve oversight of late-stage method development validation and life-cycle management of methods with a focus on both global method transfer activities and external analytical.
From a Global Quality Large Molecule Analytical Sciences (GQ-LMAS) Analytical Transfer perspective this position includes activities such as interfacing with a global network of product manufacturing and testing sites collaborating with product development groups within our manufacturing division and our Research Laboratories division continuous improvement of analytical methodology assay validation analytical technical transfer and Biologics License Application preparation.
From a GQ-LMAS External Analytical perspective this position includes directing and managing the analytical activities within our commercial external manufacturing and testing network. This role involves developing and implementing site-related analytical strategies and site implementation of continuous improvement in analytical methods and techniques and driving successful analytical execution by the contract testing lab(s) to support on time batch release. Additionally this position will work directly with technical operations quality regulatory microbiology and analytical program leaders on a regular basis to review/approve critical documents relating to analytics and participate as a site representative for method life-cycle related tasks.
Responsibilities
Analytical Transfer:
Lead method transfers and/or validations across vaccine and biologics programs including quality risk assessments/gap analysis.
Provide sponsorship of both in-line and pipeline analytical methods. The candidate will interface across our Company network and external partners to ensure the successful commercialization of assays promoting our pipeline programs
Involvement in development troubleshooting and optimization of analytical methods
Continuous improvement using laboratory standardization lean laboratory and six sigmamethodology
Assay Life Cycle activities across various large molecule franchises and analytical platforms
Promote various vaccine and/or biologics registrations launches and troubleshooting activities external to the US including documentation preparation
Direct strategic initiatives within departmental and cross-functional teams representing Global Quality Large Molecule Analytical Sciences (GQ- LMAS).
Manage global registration and test on importation (TOI) activities
Collaborating with commercial manufacturing teams to support facility start-up activities New Product Introduction and provide analytical support both within our Company network and at contract manufacturing organizations (CMOs) or contract testing laboratories
External Analytical:
Analytical technical oversight working directly with the external provider(s) and internal cross-functional stakeholders to support analytical testing of large molecule (biologics and/or vaccine) products.
Position includes significant on-site presence at external testing provider(s) to support direct engagement and technical oversight of critical analytical testing activities.
Build and maintain strong relationship with External Entities as well as internal operations technology analytical and procurement organizations. Closely collaborates with appropriate business and functional areas to conduct Tier meetings and Joint Steering Committee meetings (as applicable) to achieve our objectives.
Collaborate with departmental and cross-functional commercial manufacturing teams to support facility start-up and sustainability activities.
Interface with Global Analytical Working Groups and Global Method Owners/SMEs
Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance the quality and robustness of external /testing through implementation of proactive tools assay data trending corrective actions and best practices.
Identify and resolve analytical issues deviations and out-of-specification results from external testing labs through technical support of investigating and troubleshooting analytical problems to ensure the accuracy and reliability of test results.
Lead/support complex investigations and drive resolution of analytical technical issues
Build and manage project plans timelines and schedules to effectively meet project timelines and deliverables.
Ensure our external testing sites are prepared for inspections from multiple agencies (i.e. FDA EMA PMDA) from an analytical technical perspective
Authoring and/or reviewing technical documents to support Process Performance Qualification (PPQ) licensure and regulatory technical questions.
Education
Bachelors degree in biology chemistry biochemistry or related science with six (6) years of relevant industry knowledge in systematic development validation and/or quality control (QC) or
Masters degree in biology chemistry biochemistry or related science with four ( 4) years of relevant industry knowledge in systematic development validation and/or quality control (QC) or
PhD in biology chemistry biochemistry or related science with one (1) year of relevant industry knowledge in systematic development validation and/or quality control (QC)
Knowledge Skills
Knowledge of ICH USP and other compendial chapters required for method transfer and validation.
Knowledge with late-stage method development validation and transfer
Experience with management of contract manufacturing organizations
Minimum two (2) years working knowledge in a current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) laboratory environment in large molecules (vaccines biologics)
Experience in analytical product life cycle activities (development validation and /or transfer) across various large molecule analytical platforms (i.e. ELISA HPLC CE).
Understanding biologics analytical technology such as bioassay (i.e. ELISA cell-based methods) chromatography (i.e. HPLC UPLC) and general biochemistry methods.
Experience in the biopharmaceutical manufacturing industry such as in biologics or vaccines commercialization technical operations and/or Quality control.
Development and management of project timelines and deliverables
Participation in cross-functional project teams
Authoring and review of technical documents
Ability to work objectively and within a cross-functional team
Ability to learn new techniques
Technical verbal and written communications stakeholder management and teamwork skills
Self-motivated with a positive attitude and proven performance record
Knowledge with drug substance and drug product release stability and extended characterization testing for vaccines and biologics
Strong organizational and project management skills
Ability to effectively identify and express risks
Preferred
Worked and interfaced with external partners (i.e. CMOs and CTLs).
Deviation management and change control processes
Authoring and/or reviewing technical documents to support Process Performance Qualification (PPQ)
Ability to analyze interpret and troubleshoot analytical data.
Global launch or supply experiences
Supporting/writing regulatory filings (IND MAA BLA) and inspections with multiple agencies (FDA EMA JNDA)
Continuous improvement or lean six sigma methodology
Experience with laboratory data management systems (i.e. LIMS).
Experience with software automation/digital systems (e.g. Veeva Vault MEDs IPI Spotfire).
VETJOBS
Required Skills:
Adaptability Adaptability Analytical Method Development Assay Assay Development Bioanalytical Analysis Biochemical Assays Biochemistry Biologics License Application (BLA) Biopharmaceutical Industry Cell-Based Assays Chemistry Chromatographic Techniques Chromatography GMP Environments Immunochemistry Innovative Thinking Investigation Procedures New Product Development Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Analysis Process Analytical Technology (PAT) Project Management Risk Assessments Six Sigma Strategic Thinking 1 morePreferred Skills:
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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 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
$117000.00 - $184200.00This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. An employees 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 can apply for this role through (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
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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:
RegularRelocation:
DomesticVISA Sponsorship:
NoTravel Requirements:
25%Flexible Work Arrangements:
HybridShift:
Not IndicatedValid Driving License:
NoHazardous Material(s):
n/aJob Posting End Date:
05/4/2026*A job posting is effective until 11:59:59PM on the day BEFOREthe listed job posting end date. Please ensure you apply to a job posting no later than the day BEFORE the job posting end date.
Required Experience:
Senior IC
About Company
Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, New Jersey, USA is known as “Merck” in the United States, Canada & Puerto Rico. We are known as “MSD” in Europe, Middle East, Africa, Latin America & Asia Pacific. We are a global biopharmaceutical leader with a diverse portfolio of prescription medicine ... View more