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. We deliver robust scientific data and interpretation that drives the development and commercialization of breakthrough therapeutics. Using innovative thinking, state-of-the-art facilities, and robust scientific methodology, we collaborate to discover the next medical breakthrough.
The Analytical Research and Development (AR&D) Cell-Based Sciences Department is seeking a Principal Scientist with deep technical expertise in developing critical reagent strategies for large molecules. This senior scientific role will partner closely with the Director and lead a team of scientists to design and execute technical, scientific, and regulatory strategies for critical reagents that support the development of the company’s biologics and vaccine products.
The ideal candidate will be an expert in developing critical reagents for analytical methods supporting monoclonal antibodies, recombinant proteins, and other large molecule modalities such as live viral vaccines. The successful candidate will provide scientific leadership, expertise, and creativity to solve complex problems across the large molecule portfolio.
Candidates must demonstrate:
Strong organizational, project management, and multitasking skills
Proven scientific leadership and a track record of innovation.
Excellent written and oral communication skills
The Principal Scientist will be expected to communicate effectively with stakeholders in partner organizations as well as with senior management and governance teams. Prior experience leading small groups of technical personnel, driving projects, and contributing to group or departmental strategy will be a significant differentiator.
In this role, the Principal Scientist will:
Define and implement large molecule critical reagent strategies.
Oversee reagent qualification and testing, documentation, and lifecycle management.
Oversee both internally and externally sourced reagent development, production, and implementation to support the large molecule pipeline.
Represent the group on cross-functional product development teams.
Provide technical and scientific leadership to a group of approximately 3–5 scientists.
Provide scientific mentoring and coaching to staff.
We are seeking a collaborative leader with strong interpersonal and mentoring skills, and a passion for developing people and working across functional boundaries.
Primary Responsibilities:
Lead, supervise, and mentor a team of scientists developing critical reagents to support our Research & Development Division's Large Molecule Development portfolio.
Represent or provide technical oversight of team members on product development working groups. Collaborate effectively in a multidisciplinary team environment and provide technical input to enable team decisions.
Lead and provide technical oversight on the authoring and reviewing of critical reagent documents including reagent development reports, technical summaries, and reagent qualification protocols.
Education Requirements:
Ph.D. in analytical chemistry, molecular biology, cell biology, virology, or related field with a minimum of 8 years of relevant experience in Biopharmaceutical Industry.
OR M.S. with a minimum of 10 years of relevant experience in Biopharmaceutical Industry.
OR bachelor’s with a minimum of 14 years of relevant experience in Biopharmaceutical Industry.
Required Skills and Experience:
Deep working knowledge of regulatory guidance and quality standards, with experience devising reference standard strategy for large molecules (Vaccines and Biologics including therapeutic proteins, monoclonal antibodies, Antibody-drug conjugates). Candidates should have experience with authoring and reviewing regulatory submissions, and prior Health Authority engagements (e.g., Biologics license application submission).
Demonstrated project management skillset to oversee, prioritize, and deliver on critical reagents large molecule portfolio of projects.
Experience with monitoring reagent/ assay performance and control for drifts in key quality attributes between and within reference standards, and analytical bridging studies.
Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaborate effectively with cross-functionally in a team-based environment, partnering and influencing in a professional and effective manner.
Excellent verbal and written communications skills.
Please note that this lab-based role is not eligible for our hybrid work model, but we are committed to promoting work-life balance and offer other flexible arrangements where feasible.
#AR&D
Required Skills:
Accountability, Accountability, Analytical Chemistry, Analytical Method Development, Antibody Drug Conjugates (ADC), Assay Development, Bioanalytical Analysis, Biopharmaceutical Industry, Biopharmaceuticals, Chromatographic Techniques, Clinical Judgment, Communication, Cross-Functional Teamwork, Dosage Forms, Ethical Compliance, Immunoassays, Liquid Chromatography (LC), Matrix Management, Mentoring Staff, Method Validation, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Monoclonal Antibodies, Multidisciplinary Collaboration, Personal Initiative {+ 5 more}Preferred Skills:
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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:
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.
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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 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
$156,900.00 - $247,000.00This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. An 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:
RegularRelocation:
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Travel Requirements:
Flexible Work Arrangements:
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Job Posting End Date:
04/1/2026*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.