Senior Scientist, Chemical Biotechnologies Protein Engineering

Job Description

The Chemical Biotechnologies group within the Process Research & Development Enabling Technologies Department in Rahway, New Jersey is seeking a Senior Scientist to expand our capabilities to design and engineer proteins with novel functions. The mission of the group is to invent, develop, and implement biomolecules and biocatalytic processes to advance our company's pipeline and our impact on the scientific community. We view protein engineering as a key enabler in modern drug discovery and development, and are committed to developing novel methodologies and technologies that enhance protein engineering to improve human health. We leverage computational protein design, advanced automation, high-throughput screening, and machine learning to accelerate the development of novel proteins to produce therapeutics to support both clinical and commercial manufacturing. The candidate will work closely with a diverse and collaborative group of chemists, biologists, computer scientists, and engineers. The group collaborates broadly within our Company, with academic leaders, and with industry partners to expand and accelerate the impact of protein engineering on human health.

Job Responsibilities:

In this role, the candidate will directly contribute to the invention of novel proteins by guiding gene acquisition, designing and building high-quality DNA libraries, expressing large protein libraries, developing assays, and/or characterizing libraries using high-throughput screens and selections. They will leverage skills in bioinformatics, molecular biology, and/or biochemistry to advance hypothesis driven protein engineering programs. They will develop engineering strategies, choose which engineered proteins to select as leads, and deliver biocatalysts and/or biotherapeutics with improved functions and properties. As part of cross-functional teams, they will collaborate across groups to solve complex problems and develop novel protein engineering technologies that enable drug discovery, development, and commercialization . They will attend scientific conferences, contribute to publications, and help to set the strategy of the group. The successful candidate will join a diverse group of innovative scientists that are driving the next revolution in bioengineering.

Education:

• B.S. degree with 5+ years of experience or M.S. degree with 4+ years of experience in Molecular Biology, Synthetic Biology, Bioengineering, Biochemistry or related field.

• PhD degree in Molecular Biology, Synthetic Biology, Bioengineering, Biochemistry, or a related field (with expected completion no later than October 2025).

Requirements:

• Broad experience and knowledge in synthetic biology, biological engineering, protein design and/or directed evolution.

• Significant expertise in one of the following: molecular biology, biochemistry, biophysics, computational protein design, or metabolic engineering.

• Demonstrated ability to work in a collaborative multi-disciplinary team environment.

• Excellent communication and organizational skills.

• Strong problem-solving and troubleshooting abilities.

Preferred Experience and Skills:

• Experience engineering one of the following: novel biocatalysts, biosynthetic pathways, amino acid/peptide modifying enzymes, protein assemblies, and/or de novo proteins.

• Experience with multiple strategies to create genetic diversity, multiple host organisms and/or cell free expression systems, and/or multiple high-throughput screening/selection methods.

• Familiarity with one or more of the following areas are highly desired: next-generation sequencing, computational protein design, machine learning, microfluidics, and/or automation.

• Experience with Python, C++, or R.

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Current Employees apply HERE

Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

US and Puerto Rico Residents Only:

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As an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, we provide equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. As a federal contractor, we comply with all affirmative action requirements for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. For more information about personal rights under the U.S. Equal Opportunity Employment laws, visit:

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We are proud to be a company that embraces the value of bringing together, talented, and committed people with diverse experiences, perspectives, skills and backgrounds. The fastest way to breakthrough innovation is when people with diverse ideas, broad experiences, backgrounds, and skills come together in an inclusive environment. We encourage our colleagues to respectfully challenge one anothers thinking and approach problems collectively.

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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.This Hybrid work model does not apply to, and daily in-person attendance is required for, field-based positions; facility-based, manufacturing-based, or research-based positions where the work to be performed is located at a Company site; positions covered by a collective-bargaining agreement (unless the agreement provides for hybrid work); or any other position for which the Company has determined the job requirements cannot be reasonably met working remotely. Please note, this Hybrid work model guidance also does not apply to roles that have been designated as remote.

The salary range for this role is

$114,700.00 - $180,500.00

This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. An employees position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, geographic location, government requirements, and business or organizational needs.

The successful candidate will be eligible for annual bonus and long-term incentive, if applicable.

We offer a comprehensive package of benefits. Available benefits include medical, dental, vision healthcare and other insurance benefits (for employee and family), retirement benefits, including 401(k), paid holidays, vacation, and compassionate and sick days. More information about benefits is available at .

You can apply for this role through (or via the Workday Jobs Hub if you are a current employee). The application deadline for this position is stated on this posting.

San Francisco Residents Only: We will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records for employment in compliance with the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance

Los Angeles Residents Only: We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance

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:

Regular

Relocation:

Domestic

VISA Sponsorship:

Yes

Travel Requirements:

10%

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Not Applicable

Shift:

1st - Day

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

N/A

Required Skills:

Adaptability, Adaptability, Analytical Method Development, Applied Engineering, Biochemistry, Biodesign, Chemical Engineering, Chemical Proteomics, Chemical Synthesis, Chemometrics, Chromatography, Data-Driven Decision Making, Flow Cytometry, High Throughput Screening HTS Systems, Immunochemistry, Mass Spectrometry Based Proteomics, Microbiology, Microfluidics, Molecular Biology, Molecular Microbiology, Motivation Management, Next Generation Sequencing (NGS), Process Analytical Technology (PAT), Product Commercialization, Protein Chromatography {+ 3 more}

Preferred Skills:

Job Posting End Date:

07/13/2025

*A job posting is effective until 11:59:59PM on the day BEFORE the listed job posting end date. Please ensure you apply to a job posting no later than the day BEFORE the job posting end date.