Merck & Co.posted 8 months ago
Full-time • Senior
Onsite • West Point, PA
Chemical Manufacturing

About the position

The Senior Scientist - Microbiologist position within the Small Molecule Analytical Research and Development (SMARD) team is a critical role that supports the company's diverse portfolio, which includes small molecules, biologics, and vaccines. This position is based at the West Point, Pennsylvania site and is part of the growing Microbiology Center of Excellence (COE). The successful candidate will be responsible for collaborating with various stakeholders to support a rapidly growing pipeline of projects. This includes routine testing, validations, and the implementation of alternative microbial methods. The role requires a strong working knowledge of microbiological theories, practices, and procedures, as well as the ability to build team effectiveness skills in a fast-paced, integrated, multidisciplinary team environment. In this role, the Senior Scientist will contribute to solving complex problems and will be involved in experimental design, execution, and data interpretation for various projects. The candidate will represent the functional area on working group teams and will be expected to understand the needs of larger project teams, driving innovation with clear direction. Training team members in Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) testing is also a key expectation. The Senior Scientist will cultivate and leverage working relationships with stakeholders both within the department and across the organization, acting as a leader and demonstrating inclusive behaviors. The position requires effective communication skills, both verbal and written, and a track record of independent problem-solving. The candidate will apply their microbiology expertise as a subject matter expert for quality control and will interact with internal and external partners to foster collaborations that contribute to the ongoing establishment of the Research & Development Division Micro COE. The role also emphasizes the importance of data integrity principles and the ability to think logically and proactively under pressure.

Responsibilities

  • Support the full company's portfolio including small molecules, biologics, and vaccines.
  • Collaborate with stakeholders for various projects and support the rapidly growing pipeline.
  • Conduct routine testing, validations, and implement alternate microbial methods.
  • Contribute to solving complex problems and experimental design, execution, and data interpretation.
  • Represent the functional area on working group teams and drive innovation with direction.
  • Train team members for GMP testing and cultivate working relationships with stakeholders.
  • Act as a leader and demonstrate inclusive behaviors within the team.

Requirements

  • BS in Microbiology or related Biological Sciences with at least 7+ years of industry experience, or MS degree with 4+ years of industry experience.
  • Extensive knowledge of basic microbiology and aseptic practices with experience in alternate microbial methods in a GMP environment.
  • Experience in leading and supporting quality investigations and change management.
  • Familiarity with the internal/external audit process and authoring responses to observations.
  • Knowledge of data integrity principles and effective interpersonal and communication skills.
  • Excellent organizational skills to multi-task and a willingness to learn, contribute, and lead.
  • Track record of independent problem-solving and applying microbiology expertise as a subject matter expert for quality control.

Nice-to-haves

  • Extensive experience with bacterial endotoxin testing and gowning procedures.
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