Senior Principal Scientist, Cell Line Development

Job Description

In April 2020, our Company announced plans to consolidate our New Jersey campuses into a single New Jersey headquarters location in Rahway, NJ in 2023 and 2024. Therefore, this role will be temporarily based in Kenilworth and exact timing of the departmental move to Rahway, NJ will be communicated at a future date.

Our Clinical Research and Pharmacovigilance team push the boundaries of global healthcare through research and innovation. Through clinical trials and surveillance, we ensure the safety and efficacy of our existing and pipeline products to produce safe, effective, innovative medicine.

Process Cell Sciences (PCS) is seeking a highly motivated and experienced Principal Scientist to help develop and characterize early and late stage mammalian commercial cell lines to support innovative biological pipeline projects.

Position Description:

The successful candidate should have industrial experience related to commercial CHO cell line development. Candidate must have an in-depth understanding of cell biology/molecular biology and hands-on experience of molecular techniques, mammalian culture and next-gene sequencing. Candidate should demonstrate and stay up to date on the knowledge in genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics and genome editing technologies. Candidate must have experience in executing complex study designs requiring highly organized data collection and management.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Serve as the subject matter expert in cell line development and technical lead to represent functional area for biologics pipeline programs

• Work independently, including proactive planning, trouble shooting and successful execution of complex experimental protocols for cell line development and technology assessment

• Complete and effectively manage multiple projects within timelines ensuring that all tasks and responsibilities are carried out according to high scientific and ethical standards.

• Interface and collaborate with other functional teams in Discovery, Process development, Analytics, Operation, CRO/CMO outsourcing in the planning, execution, and technical troubleshooting.

• Responsible for technical reports and relevant sessions of IND and BLA filing.

• manage a team of 4-5 scientists, mentoring and guiding team members on the completion of portfolio and technology projects.

• Publications in peer-reviewed scientific journals and external/internal presentations are expected

Position Qualifications:

Education Minimum Requirement:

• PhD in Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Genetics or related Biological Sciences with a minimum of 8 years of cell line development or related experience in industry

Required Experience and Skills:

• Experienced in developing commercial cell line development (CLD) for recombinant protein expression.

• Experienced in coordinate CLD responsibilities for pipeline project and ensure timely communication between CLD and other functional areas within CMC team.

• Excellent project leadership skills in driving for results and innovation. Strong communication and interpersonal skills to work in team environment.

• Strong knowledge and record of scientific skills in molecular biology, mammalian cell cultures, gene editing. Experienced in vector optimization and/or CHO host cell engineering.

• Experienced in regulatory filing and preparing relevant documentation

• Excellent oral and written communication skills

Preferred Experience and Skills:

• Strong management and leadership experience

• Experienced in automation and Flow

• Experienced in next generation sequencing (NGS) platform,  and high-level understanding of NGS analysis pipeline setup analysis.

• Expertise of database and statistical software (e.g. Excel, JMP).

NOTICE FOR INTERNAL APPLICANTS

In accordance with Managers' Policy - Job Posting and Employee Placement, all employees subject to this policy are required to have a minimum of twelve (12) months of service in current position prior to applying for open positions.

If you have been offered a separation benefits package, but have not yet reached your separation date and are offered a position within the salary and geographical parameters as set forth in the Summary Plan Description (SPD) of your separation package, then you are no longer eligible for your separation benefits package. To discuss in more detail, please contact your HRBP or Talent Acquisition Advisor.

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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 Company is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the salary range for this job in certain states and cities within the United States. Final determinations with respect to salary will take into account a number of factors, which may include, but not be limited to the primary work location and the chosen candidate’s relevant skills, experience, and education.

Expected US salary range:

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. A summary of benefits is listed here.

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

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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. 

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