Job Details
Postdoctoral Research Fellow- Protein Formulation Sciences
Job Description
Be a part of the legacy: Postdoctoral Research Fellow Program
Our Research Laboratories’ Postdoctoral Research Fellow Program aims to be a best-in-industry program for industrial postdoctoral researchers, designed to provide you with an academic focus in a commercial environment. With the resources, reach, and expertise of a large pharmaceutical company, postdoctoral researchers will be positioned to excel in an institution committed to breakthrough innovation in research and discovery.
Attention NJ Applicants: In April 2020, our Company announced plans to consolidate our New Jersey campuses into a single New Jersey headquarters location in Rahway, NJ by 2023. Therefore, the NJ work location for this role will be temporarily based and the exact timing of the departmental move to Rahway, NJ will be communicated at a future date.
Position Overview:
The Sterile and Specialty Products group is responsible for developing parenteral dosage forms for small, intermediate, and large molecules from preclinical toxicology studies through commercialization. Our development teams ensure robust composition, primary packaging/device, and process selection through deep fundamental understanding and product characterization. We leverage smart experimental design, cutting edge analytical tools, and predictive approaches to inform molecule, formulation, and process selection.
We are seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Fellow to lead the development of a novel workflow for rapid identification of viscosity-reducing formulation compositions at high protein concentrations. Specifically, the Fellow will use computational and analytical tools to elucidate the relative contribution of protein hotspots toward antibody solution properties as well as the link between hotspots and the ability of specific formulation components to mitigate protein-protein interactions and reduce viscosity. The data generated will be used to build a model to predict viscosity at high concentrations under specified formulation conditions for proteins with known sequence-structure properties.
The successful candidate will work across functions, gaining insight into biotherapeutic development, and must be able to collaborate in a fast-paced, interdisciplinary environment. The Postdoctoral Fellow is additionally expected to author scientific papers on their research and present novel findings at internal and external scientific meetings.
Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
Use modeling tools to identify structure-based molecular properties and predict protein behavior.
Characterize protein solution behavior.
Build and validate a model to enable prediction of protein solution behavior based on sequence-structure properties.
Work cross-functionally and lead/facilitate meetings with collaborators.
Publish results in peer-reviewed journals and present findings at internal and external scientific conferences.
Work cross-functionally and lead/facilitate meetings with collaborators.
Publish results in peer-reviewed journals and present findings at internal and external scientific conferences.
Education Minimum Requirement:
PhD in Chemical/Biomolecular Engineering, Bioengineering, Biophysics, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or a related field
Less than 3 years of postdoctoral experience or or will you have completed your PhD within the next year.
Required Experience and Skills:
Experience in protein solution characterization (i.e., rheology, DLS, etc.)
Ability to work both independently and collaboratively.
Strong written and oral communication skills and a proven track-record in scientific publications and presentations
High flexibility and adaptability to further develop and learn new skills in a dynamic work environment.
A strong passion to drive cutting-edge science.
Preferred Experience and Skills:
Experience in application of molecular modeling software for protein design and characterization (i.e., Rosetta, MOE, Schrodinger, Gromacs, etc.).
Experience in protein engineering and/or site-directed mutagenesis.
Experience in protein biochemical and biophysical characterization techniques such as SEC, IEX, MFI, and DSC.
Knowledge or experience in structural elucidation techniques such as NMR, protein crystallography, Cryo-EM, and/or MS.
Understanding of Statistical Thermodynamics and Hydrodynamics principles applied to biomolecules, polymers, or colloids.
Experience handling and processing large experimental and computational data sets for model training and validation.
Experience in machine and deep learning methodologies.
Proficiency in Python, R, or Matlab programming.
MRLpostdoc
We are a research-driven biopharmaceutical company. Our mission is built on the simple premise that if we “follow the science” and that great medicines can make a significant impact to our world. And 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.
Post Doc:
Under New York City, Washington State and California State law, the Company is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the salary range for this job. 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 salary range:
$75,000.00-$86,000.00
Available benefits include bonus eligibility, health care and other insurance benefits (for employee and family), retirement benefits, paid holidays, vacation, and sick days. For Washington State Jobs, a summary of benefits is listed here.
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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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. We are an equal opportunity employer, committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace.
Residents of Colorado:
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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:
DomesticVISA Sponsorship:
YesTravel Requirements:
Flexible Work Arrangements:
Shift:
Valid Driving License:
Hazardous Material(s):
Requisition ID:R222228