Senior Specialist. Analytical Research and Development: Nuclear Magnetic Resonance

Job Description

Subject to applicable law, all prospective hires will be required to demonstrate that they have been fully vaccinated for COVID-19 or intend to be vaccinated for COVID-19 by November 1, 2021, or qualify for a medical or religious accommodation to this vaccination requirement. Hired candidates who are not vaccinated by November 1, 2021, and who have not been approved for a legally-required medical or religious accommodation will be subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment, subject to applicable law.

The Analytical Research and Development Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Structure Elucidation team in West Point, PA is seeking a motivated Senior Specialist with technical expertise in NMR-based characterization of vaccines to support our company's discovery, development, and manufacturing pipeline. In addition to fundamental NMR skills, we are seeking strong leadership, communication, and collaborative behaviors which support a diverse, inclusive, and productive culture across the team.

This position will support company pre-clinical and clinical vaccine programs in the Analytical Enabling Technologies (AET) NMR Group. The Senior Specialist will be responsible for developing and executing in-depth characterization methods to support advancing the vaccine pipeline. The candidate will execute characterization and release testing to support a variety of complex vaccine products. This work is applicable across many different types of vaccine platforms including nucleotides, live-viruses, recombinant proteins and conjugates. The position is structured within the NMR vaccines characterization lab in West Point, PA.

Key responsibilities within the NMR vaccines lab will be sample preparation, NMR data acquisition, analytical testing of samples, review of data (SSR – second scientist reviewed), assistance in maintenance and qualification of instruments, approval of data analysis, and proper execution of all GMP documentation. This position will work with other team members to draft, test, qualify, approve, and update analytical test methods, standard operating procedures (SOPs) and assay procedures (APs). This role involves performing the calibration of laboratory equipment, qualification of protocols, and generation of GMP sample results. This role oversees management of critical reagents and will help troubleshoot investigations/observations. The successful candidate will help drive a mentality of GMP readiness in the lab space for optimal preparedness for walkthroughs, audits, and other regulatory inspection activities. This position may have a supervisory and mentorship role regarding other members of the NMR vaccines lab.

The successful candidate will interact with a diverse array of world-class scientists in a professional work environment and will be focused on making impactful contributions to pipeline projects through NMR problem solving. We are looking for a highly skilled and motivated individual, who, while capable of working independently, understands and values cross-functional teamwork and will support our common mission in the invention and development of analytical methods for new therapeutic solutions to unmet medical needs.

Education Minimum Requirements:

• Ph.D. (or expected by 2022) in chemistry, biochemistry, biophysics, or equivalent with an emphasis in NMR techniques.

Required Experience and Skills:

• 1+ years of experience in NMR spectroscopy

• Working knowledge of GXP environments and documentation

Preferred Experience and Skills:

• 3+ years of experience in NMR characterization with a proven track record of accomplishments in the area of vaccines or large molecule NMR

• Knowledge of organic chemistry, biochemistry or physical chemistry; experience in a medicinal or process chemistry environment is desirable.

• Knowledge of NMR instrumentation, methodology and software.

• Skilled in the use and maintenance of Bruker, Varian or JEOL NMR software and hardware including cryoprobes and the application of NMR automation tools.

• Technically inclined with the ability to troubleshoot complex instrument problems.

• IT literate with the ability to manipulate data workflows in a networked environment (Windows and Linux OS, macros, scrips, etc.).

• Experience in other analytical techniques (MS, chromatography, etc.) is desirable.

• Excellent oral and written communication skills.

• Excellent interpersonal, collaboration, and teamworking skills.

• In-depth knowledge of working in a GXP environment and familiar with regulatory documentation and deviation management.

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., Kenilworth, 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 …

In a world of rapid innovation, we seek brave Inventors who want to make an Impact in all aspects of our business, enabling breakthroughs that will affect generations to come. We encourage you to bring your disruptive thinking, collaborative spirit and diverse perspective to our organization.

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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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.

Search Firm Representatives Please Read Carefully
Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ, USA, also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., Kenilworth, 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.

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Requisition ID:R137848