Scientist, Vaccine Research

Job Description

Description:

Scientists in the Immunogenicity and Molecular Bioanalytics team within Pre-Clinical Development Regulated Bioanalytical contribute to the vaccine and biologic therapeutic area through assay development, optimization, qualification/validation, pre-clinical and clinical testing. This specific position will support the early development vaccine team, and the individual should have a comprehensive knowledge of the principles and concepts of immunology as it pertains to bioanalytical method development and clinical testing. The successful candidate will provide input into the design of experiments, evaluate new techniques, leverage robotic systems, contribute to optimization and troubleshooting of assays, method qualification/validation, and test clinical samples as needed. The responsibilities of the Scientist will be to work collaboratively in a fast-paced regulated environment to contribute to the modernization of vaccine clinical assays.

Education Minimum Requirements:

• Master’s degree in biochemistry, molecular/cellular biology, life science or related area
• Bachelor’s degree in biochemistry, molecular/cellular biology, life science or related area with 3+ years of relevant industry experience

Responsibilities:

• Generation of quality experimental data to support assay development, validation, and clinical studies
• Troubleshoot assay issues and optimize assay performance
• Ensure robust experimental design and execution
• Analyze and interpret data using appropriate statistical tools
• Ensure high levels of data accuracy, integrity, and documentation quality to maintain compliance with regulatory standards
• Adhere to GLP, GCLP, and BSL regulations
• Leverage automation and digital tools to enhance lab efficiency
• Clear and concise communication skills for scientific writing and presenting findings
• Collaborate with team members and cross-functional stakeholders to create a high-performance scientific environment

Required Experience:

• Experience in executing routine immunoassays for determination of antibody responses to vaccination and/or neutralizing antibody assays, data interpretation and corresponding technologies such as Luminex, Mesoscale, ELISA and/or virus neutralization tests or plaque assays
• Alternatively, or in addition, experience with molecular and/or cell-based assays
• Expertise in executing complex experiments, following regulated procedures, conducting data analysis and thoroughly documenting laboratory work
• Demonstrated interest in scientific background and laboratory experimentation
• Good verbal and written communication skills with strong organizational capabilities
• Experience working collaboratively in a team environment

Preferred Experience and Skills:

• Familiarity with liquid handlers and other automation platforms for sample preparation and assay process
• Knowledge in development, Design of Experiments (DoE), and qualification/validation for regulated vaccine analytical or bioanalytical assays
• Experience with GxP as it applies to regulated bioanalysis
• Use of electronic laboratory notebooks

Required Skills:

Assay Development, Bioanalysis, Biochemistry, Biopharmaceuticals, Cell Culture Techniques, Cell Physiology, Clinical Judgment, Data Analysis, Data Interpretations, Data Visualization, Detail-Oriented, Ethical Compliance, Good Laboratory Practices (GLPs), Immunoassays, Immunochemistry, Immunogenicity Assays, Immunoprecipitation, Ligand Binding Assay, Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS), Microbiology, Molecular Techniques, Pharmacokinetics, Scientific Writing

Preferred Skills:

Current Employees apply HERE

Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

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.

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 another’s thinking and approach problems collectively.

Learn more about your rights, including under California, Colorado and other US State Acts

The salary range for this role is

$87,300.00 - $137,400.00

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

You can apply for this role through https://jobs.merck.com/us/en (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:

No relocation

VISA Sponsorship:

No

Travel Requirements:

No Travel Required

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Not Applicable

Shift:

Not Indicated

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

N/A

Job Posting End Date:

06/19/2026

*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.