Associate Principal Scientist – Purification Scientist

MSD•Rahway, NJ

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

Our Research Scientists are our Inventors. We identify and target steps in disease mechanisms or pathways that could be inhibited or enhanced. Our goal is to use innovative thinking, state-of-the-art facilities, and robust scientific methodology, we collaborate to discover the next medical breakthrough. As an Associate Principal Scientist in the multiscale separations team within the Separations Sciences team of Analytical Enabling Capabilities, you will work within a highly collaborative team to enable the advancement of the development pipeline. You will be primarily responsible for developing analytical and preparative methods for small molecule pharmaceuticals but also peptides, protein-based therapeutics, and emerging modalities. You will work side by side with (bio)process scientists to deploy innovative separation, analysis, and characterization strategies to accelerate the development of new medicines and vaccines. To accelerate the development of new medicines and vaccines, you will partner with bioprocess and analytical scientists to deploy efficient and fit-for-purpose bio/chemical isolation methods, establish innovative purification workflows, and to deliver high purity and enriched materials to enable additional characterization. As a member of our team, you will be joining a group of scientific problem solvers, who are dedicated to creating the life-changing products of tomorrow. Education Minimum Requirements: Ph.D. in biochemistry/chemistry or a related field with 3-5 years of experience in biopharmaceutical industry or related industry. M.S. with a minimum of 8 years of experience in the biopharmaceutical or related industry

Requirements

Hands-on experience with HPLC/UPLC method development for monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), as well as peptides/proteins as applicable.
Bio separation techniques for mAbs/ADCs, including Protein A/affinity capture, ion exchange (CEX/AEX), size exclusion (SEC), hydrophobic interaction (HIC), and reversed-phase chromatography.
Protein purification experience for mAbs/ADCs (analytical and preparative), including capture/polishing chromatography, fraction collection, desalting/buffer exchange, and yield/purity assessment.
Sample preparation and handling for mAbs/ADCs (e.g., minimizing adsorption/degradation, controlling free drug carryover, appropriate buffers/excipients, filtration/centrifugation, and storage conditions).
Experience with mAb/ADC characterization (e.g., identity, purity/impurities, aggregation/fragmentation, charge variants, and drug-related attributes) using LC and orthogonal techniques.
For ADCs: experience with key analytical readouts such as drug-to-antibody ratio (DAR) and free drug/payload-related impurities (e.g., using HIC, RP-LC, and/or LC-MS)
Accountability
Accountability
Adaptability
Analytical Method Development
Antibody Drug Conjugates (ADC)
Assay Development
Biological Assay Development
Biopharmaceutical Industry
Biopharmaceuticals
Biopharmaceutics
Cell-Based Assays
Centrifugation
Chromatographic Techniques
Chromatography
Column Chromatography
Cross-Functional Teamwork
Design Management
External Collaboration
High Resolution Mass Spectrometry (HRMS)
Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS)
Mass Spectrometry Analysis
Mentorship
Optimism
Peptide Mapping
Physical Properties

Nice To Haves

Deep appreciation of the interplay between chemical structure and physical properties.
Analytical and preparative purification techniques, target isolation and characterization tools (Prep chromatography, MS etc.).
Familiarity with biophysical/biochemical characterization techniques for proteins (e.g., SEC-MALS, CE, icIEF, DLS, SDS-PAGE).
Familiarity with mAb/ADC structural characterization workflows (e.g., intact and/or subunit LC-MS, reduced/non-reduced analyses, peptide mapping and glycan profiling).
Knowledge of multidimensional separation techniques (2DLC)

Benefits

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 https://jobs.merck.com/us/en/compensation-and-benefits.

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