Associate Principal Scientist, Bioreactor Modeling in Data-Rich Experimentation

Job Description

We are a global biopharmaceutical leader with a diverse portfolio of prescription medicines, oncology, vaccines and animal health products.

We are driven by our purpose to develop and deliver innovative products that save and improve lives. With 69,000 employees operating in more than 140 countries, we offer state of the art laboratories, plants and offices that are designed to inspire our employees as we learn, develop and grow in our careers. We are proud of our over 125 years of service to humanity and continue to be one of the world’s biggest investors in Research & Development.

We are seeking a Associate Principal Scientist to join our Data-Rich Experimentation (DRE) organization, within Process Research & Developing Enabling Technologies (PR&D ET), located in Rahway, NJ.

In this role, the chosen candidate will work with a team of scientists 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 Associate Principal Scientist role, the chosen candidate will leverage fundamental process modeling, machine learning, and other innovative data science approaches to enable our process research and development efforts across our companys biologics and vaccines portfolio.

Our DRE organization is responsible for the invention and application of new data-rich tools to support the scientists across process research and development at our company. We aspire to embed data-intense technologies into the fabric of our process development culture. This Associate Principal Scientist role is a scientific position tasked with solving complex process research and development challenges in an interdisciplinary, collaborative environment via invention, development, and application of cutting-edge modeling, scale-up/down, and process optimization methodologies. Ultimately, through the development, application, and deployment of these capabilities across our biologics and vaccines pipeline, we aim to elucidate a deeper understanding of our processes across diverse medicines and vaccines.

In this Associate Principal Scientist role, the chosen candidate will leverage bioprocess modeling techniques to help advance process-focused scientific research. This includes, but is not limited to, developing mechanistic, hybrid, or data-driven models for cell culture and fermentation; working closely alongside pipeline project teams to extract the most impactful insights from experimental data for development decision-making; employing process models to accelerate and enhance development through optimal experiment design; and leveraging engineering design and physics-based models to guide scale-up/scale-down to support and de-risk technology transfer and commercialization. As such, the chosen candidate should have a robust background in bioprocess development, with an emphasis on the intersection of modeling and scale-up.

In addition to a passion for bioreactor modeling, 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, Biochemistry, Physics, Biology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or a closely related field with at least 3 years of industrial/pharmaceutical experience

A M.S. in Engineering, Biochemistry, Physics, Biology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or a closely related field with at least 5 years of industrial/pharmaceutical experience

A B.S. in in Engineering, Biochemistry, Physics, Biology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or a closely related field with at least 7 years of industrial/pharmaceutical experience

Required Experience and Skills:

Background and experience in bioprocess modeling, scale-up, statistical analysis, and experiment design

Highly motivated and technology-centric scientist that is passionate about modernizing our 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 chemical or biochemical engineering, cell culture, or fermentation process design, development, or optimization

Experience leveraging a broad range of modeling tools, including development and application of new technologies to extract process insights from complex data and extend predictive capabilities

Expertise in data analytics, including machine learning, statistical inference, simulation, and optimal experiment design

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.

Experience in research efforts focused on vaccines, biological molecules, bioconjugates, or general large molecules.

Motivated to learn new skills, willingness to take on new challenges, and scientific curiosity.

NOTICE FOR INTERNAL APPLICANTS

In accordance with Managers Policy – Job Posting and Employee Placement, all employees subject to this policy are required to have a minimum of twelve (12) months of service in current position prior to applying for open positions.

If you have been offered a separation benefits package, but have not yet reached your separation date and are offered a position within the salary and geographical parameters as set forth in the Summary Plan Description (SPD) of your separation package, then you are no longer eligible for your separation benefits package. To discuss in more detail, please contact your HRBP or Talent Acquisition Advisor.

Employees working in roles that the Company determines require routine collaboration with external stakeholders, such as customer-facing commercial, or research-based roles, will be expected to comply not only with Company policy but also with policies established by such external stakeholders (for example, a requirement to be vaccinated against COVID-19 in order to access a facility or meet with stakeholders). Please understand that, as permitted by applicable law, if you have not been vaccinated against COVID-19 and an essential function of your job is to call on external stakeholders who require vaccination to enter their premises or engage in face-to-face meetings, then your employment may pose an undue burden to business operations, in which case you may not be offered employment, or your employment could be terminated. Please also note that, where permitted by applicable law, the Company reserves the right to require COVID-19 vaccinations for positions, such as in Global Employee Health, where the Company determines in its discretion that the nature of the role presents an increased risk of disease transmission.

Current Employees apply HERE (https://wd5.myworkday.com/msd/d/task/1422$6687.htmld)

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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.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability status, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. 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/2022-10/22-088EEOCKnowYourRights1020.pdf)

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We are proud to be a company that embraces the value of bringing diverse, talented, and committed people together. The fastest way to breakthrough innovation is when diverse ideas 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, generally Tuesday, Wednesday and either Monday or 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 Company is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the salary range for this job in certain states and cities within the United States. Final determinations with respect to salary will take into account a number of factors, which may include, but not be limited to the primary work location and the chosen candidate’s relevant skills, experience, and education.

Expected US salary range:

$135,500.00 – $213,400.00

Available benefits include bonus eligibility, long term incentive if applicable, health care and other insurance benefits (for employee and family), retirement benefits, paid holidays, vacation, and sick days. A summary of benefits is listed here (https://www.benefitsatmerck.com/) .

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:

Hybrid

Shift:

Valid Driving License:

Hazardous Material(s):

Job Posting End Date:

10/11/2024

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.

Job Posting End Date: 10/11/2024

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: R315174