Senior Scientist, Virology

Job Description

The West Point Technical Operations Laboratory Process Support group within our Company Manufacturing Division is responsible for supporting all commercial vaccines with best in class laboratory support for technical investigations, lifecycle-management driven process enhancements , and commercial vaccine expansions. We are seeking an experienced Associate Principal Scientist to join the Live Virus Vaccines Lab in West Point, PA. The candidate will have a primary role on a team providing laboratory scale manufacturing process support for our Companys portfolio of licensed live virus vaccines . The candidate will collaborate with key stakeholders to design, execute on, and analyze experiments to enhance production of these vaccines. The candidate will additionally serve as a resource for the broader vaccine manufacturing organization as a subject matter expert (SME). The ideal candidate will have a strong background in virology, host-cell interactions, cell biology, biochemistry, and/or molecular genetics.

Responsibilities Include but are not limited to:

• Subject matter expert (SME) for virus-cell interactions

• Manages one or more vaccine cell culture based projects and prioritizes resources to align with business objectives

• Designs and leads execution of experimental protocols using lab facilities and/or production equipment at full scale. Communicating study designs and data driven results to all levels w ithin and across organizations and incorporating stakeholder feedback.

• Hands-on leadership and participation in laboratory activities

• Examines an issue from diverse perspectives (safety, compliance, automation, equipment, process, and people) in order to best understand and resolve the root cause.

• Authors and approves technical documentation to support manufacturing investigations and process enhancements.

• Collaborates and engages with counterparts within technical operations, site manufacturing, commercialization, our Research Division, and other process support labs within our global network.

EDUCATION REQUIREMENT:

• PhD with 0-5 years working experience in virology or a related discipline in a pharma ceutical , biotech , or academic setting

REQUIRED SKILLS:

• Laboratory scale cell culture and viral infection techniques

• Expertise in a range of molecular , cellular, and viral characterization techniques

• Solid computer skills, independent experimental design and execution, and analytical problem-solving capabilities.

• Good verbal and written communication skills.

• Demonstrated initiative and innovative process-oriented thinking within a team environment.

• Ability to lead and coach others to solve problems .

PREFERRED SKILLS:

• Experience in vaccine development or manufacturing

• T rack record of publications.

Current Employees apply HERE

Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

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 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:

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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 anothers 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

$104,200.00 - $163,900.00

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 .

You 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:

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

Required Skills:

Bioanalytical Techniques, Bioanalytical Techniques, Biochemistry, Bioprocess Design, Bioprocess Engineering, Business Process Documentation, Cell Cultures, Cell Physiology, Communication, GMP Compliance, Host-Pathogen Interactions, Immunoassays, Immunochemistry, Innovation, Mammalian Cell Culture, Medical Virology, Microbial Fermentation, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Pharmacokinetics, Process Scale Up, Process Troubleshooting, R&D Management, Science, Social Collaboration {+ 3 more}

Preferred Skills:

Job Posting End Date:

07/9/2025

*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.