Associate Principal Scientist, Biologics Process R&D

MSD


Job Location:

Rahway, NJ - USA

Monthly Salary: $ 142400 - 224100
Posted on: 21 days ago
Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

Job Description

Position Summary

We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced Associate Principal Scientist to join our Cell Line Development group.

The successful candidate will also provide scientific and technical leadership for late-stage biologics programs with a focus on cell line development and cell banking-related regulatory strategy filing authoring and health authority response support. The ideal candidate will have strong hands-on and strategic experience with mammalian cell line development late-stage CMC program support regulatory filing authoring and limit of in vitro cell age (LIVCA) studies.

The candidate will be responsible for ensuring that cell line development and cell bank characterization data packages are scientifically sound and suitable to support global regulatory submissions. This role will serve as a key interface between Cell Line Development Regulatory CMC and cross-functional CMC program teams.

Key Responsibilities

  • Lead and support cell line development and cell bank characterization activities for late-stage biologics programs.

  • Design and execute pre-LIVCA studies coordinate LIVCA campaigns and generate genetic stability data package to support establishment of control strategy for commercial manufacturing process. Partner with Upstream Downstream Analytical and Manufacturing teams.

  • Author review and provide technical input for CLD-related sections of regulatory submissions including IND IMPD BLA and MAA submissions and responses to global regulatory agencies.

  • Serve as the CLD representative on cross-functional CMC teams and partner closely with Regulatory CMC to develop scientifically robust filing strategies.

  • Support responses to health authority questions (RTQs) related to cell line development cell banking clonality genetic stability LIVCA and related control strategy topics.

  • Author technical reports source documents risk assessments and knowledge management content related to cell line development. Support digitization efforts to streamline authoring and report writing.

  • Maintain awareness of relevant regulatory expectations industry practices and scientific developments related to cell line development cell bank characterization and LIVCA.

Required Qualifications

  • Ph.D. in Biology Cell Biology Molecular Biology Biochemistry Biotechnology Chemical/Biochemical Engineering or a related discipline with 4 years of industry experience; or Masters degree with 8 years of industry experience.

  • Strong experience in mammalian cell line development preferably using CHO-based expression systems for therapeutic proteins or monoclonal antibodies.

  • Working knowledge of ICH guidelines and regulatory expectations relevant to biotechnology-derived products cell substrates cell banking and genetic stability.

  • Demonstrated experience supporting late-stage biologics programs including pre-LIVCA studies to generate both phenotypic and genotypic stability data packages.

  • Experience authoring CLD-related regulatory submissions and supporting responses to health authority questions in collaboration with Regulatory CMC teams and cross-functional CMC development teams.

  • Strong scientific writing and communication skills with the ability to develop clear accurate and well-structured technical and regulatory documents.

  • Strong understanding of cell line history clone selection clonality cell substrate characterization cell bank generation & testing genetic stability and LIVCA.

  • Ability to work independently manage multiple priorities and influence cross-functional teams effectively.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience supporting global regulatory submissions across major markets including the United States Europe Japan and China.

  • Experience in upstream commercial process development for biologics programs.

  • Hands-on experience with cell line genetic characterization techniques including RNAseq PCR Southern and Northern blotting.

  • Experience preparing technical source documents regulatory summaries RTQs and agency briefing materials.

  • Experience across early and late-stage biologics development with an ability to connect CLD decisions into long-term regulatory and commercial strategy.

Required Skills:

Biochemistry Biochemistry Biotechnology Cell Line Development Cell Physiology Chemical Engineering Control Strategy Detail-Oriented Downstream Process Development Drug Delivery Technology Drug Development Expression Vectors Interpersonal Relationships Leading Project Teams Mammalian Cell Manufacturing Strategies Microbiology Molecular Biology Monoclonal Antibodies Pharmaceutical Formulations Pharmaceutical Process Development Physical Characterization Regulatory Submissions Risk Assessments Stable Cell Lines 1 more

Preferred Skills:

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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 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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The salary range for this role is

$142400.00 - $224100.00

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 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

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:

VISA Sponsorship:

Travel Requirements:

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Not Applicable

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Hazardous Material(s):

Job Posting End Date:

06/6/2026

*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:

Staff IC

Job DescriptionPosition SummaryWe are seeking a highly motivated and experienced Associate Principal Scientist to join our Cell Line Development group.The successful candidate will also provide scientific and technical leadership for late-stage biologics programs with a focus on cell line developmen...

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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

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