R&D Scientist

$79,040 - $79,040/Yr

Merck KGaA Darmstadt Germany - St. Louis, MO

Full-time - Mid Level

St. Louis, MO

Chemical Manufacturing

About the position

The R&D Scientist position at MilliporeSigma is a full-time, contract role based in St. Louis, MO, offering a pay rate of $38 per hour. This position is designed for individuals with a strong scientific background, particularly in cell or molecular biology, and requires solid pipetting experience. The role involves working independently within the SMC™ Assay Development Team to develop immunoassays for the MilliporeSigma SMC™ Immunoassay platform. This is a high-visibility, hands-on laboratory position that encompasses a variety of tasks including designing and performing experiments, analyzing data, writing reports, and presenting findings to peers and partners. The responsibilities of the R&D Scientist include following established assay development processes in a fast-paced environment, planning and executing experiments to investigate new biomarker assays, and critically analyzing and summarizing experimental data. The scientist will also propose new investigations based on findings, present data at team meetings, and may represent the company in external communications. Additionally, the role involves facilitating the transfer of developed assays to manufacturing and maintaining familiarity with current technologies and literature related to immunoassay development. The position may require work during non-standard hours, including second shifts and weekends, to meet project deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Follow established assay development processes in a fast-paced, high-energy environment.
• Plan and execute experiments that support investigations into new biomarker assays, including understanding potential interfering proteins and sourcing appropriate antibodies & reagents.
• Critically analyze, summarize and report data generated from experiments, draw conclusions from experimental results, recommend and execute follow-up actions with consideration of prior experimental findings (self and others) with minimal supervision.
• Propose new investigations based on experimental findings.
• Present data at Team meetings or to small focus groups that may include representatives from other departments and/or outside parties.
• Participate in and may lead brainstorming and troubleshooting sessions.
• May represent the Company in external relationships including communications with instrument manufacturers, suppliers of critical components, potential partners and evaluation sites.
• Facilitate the transfer of developed assays to Manufacturing, including involvement in the completion and release of enabling documentation for newly developed assays by ensuring all relevant technical information is incorporated into the appropriate documents.
• Maintain familiarity with current technology related information, literature and theories.
• Demonstrate scientific creativity and understanding of the principles, requirements and practices of immunoassay development.
• Conduct project related information searches, literature searches, and may be involved in review for project specifications and initiation.
• Contribute to scientific publications, posters and conferences, when appropriate.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Microbiology, Immunology, Biochemistry or other related Science Discipline with 3+ years' experience with immunoassay development and assay validation for biomarker assays or bioanalytical analysis.
• Experience in at least one of the following assay formats: magnetic particle (e.g., MilliporeSigma SMC or Luminex platform or similar), ECL, ELISA or similar immunoassay platform.
• Solid pipetting experience and a strong scientific background in cell or molecular biology.

Nice-to-haves

• PhD with 2+ years' experience in immunoassay development.
• Master's degree with 5+ years' experience in immunoassay development.
• Bachelor's degree with 10+ years' industry experience in immunoassay development.
• Experience with RT-PCR and Stage-Gate Product Development Process from Assay Inception to Manufacturing/Operations transfer.
• Proven success in pre-clinical / clinical immunoassay development.
• Demonstrated understanding of Oncology, Cardio & Metabolic Disease.
• Working knowledge of statistics, Design of Experimentation (DOE), etc.
• Demonstrated proficiency with Excel, PowerPoint, and Word programs.

Benefits

• Equal Employment Opportunity employer
• No discrimination based on race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, gender identity, transgender status, marital status, or any other classification protected by applicable law.