Sr. Scientist, Analytical R&d

Merck Merck · Pharma · Ireland

Merck is seeking a Senior Scientist for their Global Quality Large Molecule Analytical Sciences team. This role focuses on providing analytical technical oversight for late-stage pipeline programs through commercialization and launch, as well as lifecycle management for Large Molecules (Vaccines and Biologics) and Cross-Modality Compounds. The position involves developing and implementing site-related analytical strategies, driving continuous improvement in analytical methods, and ensuring successful analytical execution by contract testing labs to support timely batch release. Responsibilities include direct engagement and technical oversight of analytical testing activities at external providers, collaborating with internal and external stakeholders, managing project plans, and ensuring sites are prepared for regulatory inspections. The role requires a Bachelor's degree with 6 years of relevant experience, or a Master's with 4 years, or a PhD with 2 years, specifically in analytical testing, development, transfer, and/or validation within a GXP laboratory environment for large molecules.

What you'd actually do

  1. 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.
  2. Position includes significant on-site presence at external testing provider(s) to support direct engagement and technical oversight of critical analytical testing activities.
  3. Build and maintain strong relationship with External Entities, as well as internal operations, technology, analytical and procurement organizations.
  4. Collaborate with departmental and cross-functional commercial manufacturing teams to support facility start-up and sustainability activities.
  5. Interface with Global Analytical Working Groups and Global Method Owners/SMEs

Skills

Required

  • Bachelor’s Degree (BA/BS) with a concentration in biology, chemistry, biochemistry, or related science with six (6) years of relevant industry knowledge working in the field of analytical testing, development, transfer, and/or validation; OR Master’s Degree (MA/MS) with a concentration in biology, chemistry, biochemistry, or related science with four (4) years of relevant industry knowledge working in the field of analytical testing, development, transfer, and/or validation; OR PhD with a concentration in biology, chemistry, biochemistry, or related science with two (2) years of relevant industry knowledge working in the field of analytical testing, development, transfer, and/or validation.
  • At least 4 years working experience in a GXP laboratory environment in large molecules (vaccines, biologics) analytics or Cross-Modality Compounds.
  • 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.
  • Knowledge with In-Process Controls, drug substance and drug product release, stability, and extended characterization testing for vaccines and biologics
  • Experience with regulatory requirements and guidelines
  • Strong organizational and project management skills to manage multiple project associated tasks simultaneously.
  • Strong oral and written communication skills to effectively communicate technical information and risks to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Nice to have

  • Knowledge of deviation management and change control processes.
  • Ability to analyze, interpret, and troubleshoot analytical data.
  • Experience in method transfer, method validation, new product introduction, and/or analytical product life cycle activities across various large molecule franchises and analytical platforms.
  • Worked and interfaced with external partners (i.e. CMOs and CTLs).
  • Self-motivated with a positive, proactive, and service-oriented mindset.
  • Capability to adapt and be flexible in a fast paced cross-functional team working environment.
  • Experience with laboratory data management systems (i.e., LIMS).
  • Experience with software automation/digital systems (e.g., Veeva

What the JD emphasized

  • analytical testing
  • large molecule
  • biologics
  • vaccines
  • external manufacturing
  • site-related analytical strategies
  • continuous improvement in analytical methods
  • contract testing lab
  • batch release
  • technical operations
  • quality
  • regulatory
  • method life-cycle
  • Process Performance Qualification
  • licensure
  • regulatory technical questions
  • GXP laboratory environment
  • analytical product life cycle
  • method transfer
  • method validation
  • new product introduction
  • drug substance and drug product release
  • stability
  • extended characterization testing