Logo
Merck Sharp & Dohme

Associate Principal Scientist

Merck Sharp & Dohme, Rahway, New Jersey, us, 07065


Job Description

The Sterile Product Development (SPD) group is responsible for developing non-oral dosage forms (injections, implants, inhaled, ocular) for small, intermediate, and large molecules from preclinical toxicology studies to commercialization. Our development teams ensure robust composition, primary packaging/device, and process selection through deep fundamental understanding and characterization such that the process is scalable without compromising stability, safety, efficacy, and delivery. During development, we leverage smart experimental design, cutting edge analytical tools, and predictive approaches to inform molecule, formulation and process selection. In summary, our team enables the translation of preclinical candidates into non-oral drug products.

Our team is looking for a candidate for the position of Associate Principal Scientist (R4) supporting the Biologics formulation team within Sterile Product Development.

Primary duties:

Lead/ contribute towards the new, innovative approaches for biologics sterile product development through the generation of experimental designs, execution of experimental plans and data analysis.

Support both early and late-stage development candidates, including screening and development of robust drug product composition, scalable process, primary packaging, compatibility characterization for processing and administration, and supporting regulatory filings.

Build deep fundamental knowledge around the drug product to ensure completion of key milestones and laboratory / regulatory documentation.

Active strategic and technical leadership on program development teams, interfacing with key stakeholders, and collaborating across functions to drive defined milestones will be required.

Responsible for leading and championing organizational strategic and innovation objectives aligned with organizational goals.

Be willing to take initiative, motivated to excel, have a strong technical background, have excellent communication and interpersonal skills, ability to multi-task, mentor scientists, and a strong desire to learn and contribute.

Leads project activities at external manufacturing sites including tech transfers.

Enhance our Company's professional image and competitive advantage through patents, presentations, publications and professional activities and advance areas such as science and technology development, technical and business strategic improvements, business process innovations.

Maintain awareness of relevant new and current technologies, capabilities, and effectively share this knowledge with others.

Education Minimum Requirement:

Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Pharmaceutical Sciences or related discipline with a minimum of 4 years relevant industry experience. B.S. or M.S. degree in Engineering, Pharmaceutical Sciences or related discipline with minimum of 8 years relevant industrial experience.

Required Experience and Skills:

Experienced in biologics process development and characterization particularly for late stage programs.

Capable of leading formulation development activities in matrix team environments to define a robust formulation and manufacturing process.

Recognized as a technical expert and scientific contributor with proven ability to identify and develop innovative ideas.

Has broad knowledge of formulation science and in depth-knowledge in multiple areas, including core understanding of the drug development process.

Track record of working effectively with team-members of diverse skill sets and backgrounds.

Strong verbal and written communication skills.

The candidate should have a strong track record in product development/ regulatory filing/ drug delivery/ complex formulation and process development/ characterization reflected through industry experience and external publications/ patent.

Preferred Experience and Skills:

Deep understanding of one or more of the following: surface science, colloid science, particle engineering and/or high concentration formulations.

Prior experience leading development projects at an enterprise level.

Capable of mentoring individuals in a peer-to-peer fashion and as a technical mentor.

Recognized as a subject matter expert in at least one drug delivery and/or manufacturing technology.

Demonstrated ability to identify, fundamentally characterize and address manufacturing challenges through the development and optimization of novel production technologies.

Desire to build new capabilities through the evaluation of new technologies and hands-on optimization of existing technologies.

Prior experience with process scale up, modeling, regulatory filings and/or driving key capability evaluation/ build would be highly preferred.

US and Puerto Rico Residents Only:

Our company is committed to inclusion, ensuring that candidates can engage in a hiring process that exhibits their true capabilities. Please click here if you need an accommodation during the application or hiring process.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability status, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.

U.S. Hybrid Work Model:

Effective September 5, 2023, employees in office-based positions in the U.S. will be working a Hybrid work consisting of three total days on-site per week, Monday - Thursday, although the specific days may vary by site or organization, with Friday designated as a remote-working day, unless business critical tasks require an on-site presence.

Expected US salary range:

$135,500.00 - $213,400.00

Available benefits include bonus eligibility, long term incentive if applicable, health care and other insurance benefits (for employee and family), retirement benefits, paid holidays, vacation, and sick days.

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.

Requisition ID:

R316929

#J-18808-Ljbffr