Senior Scientist, Engineering

Job Description

The Environmental & Process Safety Engineering (EPSE) group within the Chemical Engineering Research & Development (CERD) department is seeking highly motivated people who are looking for an opportunity to work in a fast-paced job that provides a high level of technical responsibility. Under scientific and administrative direction, incumbent carries out independent work conceiving, designing, planning, and implementing advanced small scale laboratory studies aimed at characterizing the hazards associated with the process and materials used to produce active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) at all scales, from the laboratory to commercial manufacturing. Specific areas include thermal hazard assessment and potential for gas generation with variety of calorimeters such as SuperCRC, Insight, EZMax and RC1, and its consequence modeling for the scale-up units.

This position requires expertise in laboratory instruments and techniques, managing the workflow of requests for testing and guidance, organizing collaboration to complete testing and issuing reports to document results. The incumbent is expected to be able to interpret and apply safety and environmental regulations and make scientific contributions to research programs of major importance to the Research and Manufacturing Divisions. This position is seeking an person looking to become a deep subject matter expert in specific fields of chemical hazard/reaction review including literatures review and paper assessment, process safety testing (especially calorimetry), and thermal hazard modeling. As such, a deep understanding/exposure of organic chemistry and/or exposure to small molecule API scale-up is highly desired.

A high level of innovation and creativity are necessary to adapt to evolving technologies and tools. Also, a high level of self-initiative, attention to detail, and ownership along with the ability to plan and organize activities are expected. Strong communication and collaboration skills are also critical to success in EPSE/CERD because scientists/engineers are needed to communicate regularly, clearly, and with confidence as they discuss technical problems, provide oversight to laboratory, pilot plant and commercial manufacturing operations, and interface with cross-functional colleagues/customers to influence process development and drive a safer process design.

Education Minimum:

• The position requires either a BS or MS in Chemistry, Chemical/Biochemical Engineering or a comparable area of study from an accredited college/university with a minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience, or a PhD in Chemistry, Chemical/Biochemical Engineering or a comparable area of study.

Qualifications:

• Strong knowledge and experience with organic chemistry and synthesis including safely handling solvents and chemicals, running experiments, proper disposal of waste, and generating and analyzing data

• Experience with general lab instrumentation

• Good organizational, interpersonal, writing, and time management skills

• Keen attention to detail and the ability to author clear reports and review the reports of others

• The ability to strictly follow established procedures, policies and guidelines required to comply with safety, environmental and GMP expectations in the lab

• Initiative and independence to develop, apply, and/or improve new systems and best practices

• The ability to work both individually and also as part of teams

• Ability to work accurately in a fast-paced environment

• Familiarity with Microsoft Office software products

Preferred Experience and Skills:

• Experience with process scale-up and/or technology transfer, moving from laboratory to pilot plant or manufacturing scale.

• Experience with thermal analysis techniques including differential scanning and reaction calorimetry

• Experience with evaluating process safety including risks of thermal decomposition, gas generation, vent sizing, static/conductivity, or dust explosivity; industrial hygiene risk assessments

• Experience with process modeling using software such as Dynochem, Aspen, AKTS or other software.

• Experience with mathematical modeling using Matlab/Mathematica or similar

• Experience with in-situ or off-line analytical techniques such as FTIR, Raman, and/or GC/HPLC

• Experience with PHA’s (e.g. HAZOP), Layers of Protection Analysis (LOPA) or similar risk evaluation methodologies.

• Experience with pharmaceutical drug development and chemical engineering-related technology development

• Organizational and multi-tasking skills to efficiently manage the workflow of requests for testing and guidance

• Collaboration skills to efficiently leverage staff in a matrix arrangement to complete testing and reports

• Flexibility to adapt to changing work assignments and deadlines

We are a research-driven biopharmaceutical company. Our mission is built on the simple premise that if we “follow the science” that great medicines can make a significant impact to our world. We believe that a research-driven enterprise dedicated to world-class science can succeed by inventing medicine and vaccine innovations that make a difference for patients across the globe.

Who we are …

We are known as Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, New Jersey, USA in the United States and Canada and MSD everywhere else. For more than a century, we have been inventing for life, bringing forward medicines and vaccines for many of the world's most challenging diseases. Today, our company continues to be at the forefront of research to deliver innovative health solutions and advance the prevention and treatment of diseases that threaten people and animals around the world.

What we look for …

Imagine getting up in the morning for a job as important as helping to save and improve lives around the world. Here, you have that opportunity. You can put your empathy, creativity, digital mastery, or scientific genius to work in collaboration with a diverse group of colleagues who pursue and bring hope to countless people who are battling some of the most challenging diseases of our time. Our team is constantly evolving, so if you are among the intellectually curious, join us—and start making your impact today.

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.

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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.

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Expected salary range:

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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:

Relocation:

VISA Sponsorship:

Travel Requirements:

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Shift:

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Hazardous Material(s):

Requisition ID:R235254