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 enabling technology in modern drug discovery and development. We leverage computational modeling, advanced automation, and high-throughput screening to engineer novel proteins. We are committed to developing new methodologies and technologies that enhance protein engineering and improve human health. 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 incumbent will contribute directly 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 screening and selections. As part of project teams, they will collaborate across groups to develop novel solutions that solve complex problems. To accelerate the development of novel proteins, the candidate will develop engineering strategies and new technologies, select high-performing engineered proteins, and deliver biocatalysts with improved functions and properties to enable drug discovery and impact clinical supply and commercial manufacturing processes. They will give scientific presentations internally and externally, contribute to the group's overall strategy and direction, and develop novel protein engineering technologies. The successful candidate will join a diverse group of innovative scientists who are driving the next revolution in bioengineering.

Education Requirements:

• Postdoctoral training or Ph.D. in Biochemistry, Bioengineering, Biophysics, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Molecular Biology, Synthetic Biology, or a related field; or

• M.S. in one of the above fields plus at least 3 years of industry experience closely related to protein engineering; or

• B.S. in one of the above fields plus at least 5 years of industry experience closely related to protein engineering.

Required Experience and Skills:

• Published field-impacting research in which the applicant participated in the conception, execution, analysis, and drafting of the research.

• Broad experience and knowledge in biological engineering, protein design, and directed evolution.

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

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

• Excellent communication and organizational skills.

Preferred Experience and Skills:

• Experience in engineering one of the following: novel biocatalysts, biosynthetic pathways, and/or de novo proteins.

• Experience with multiple strategies to create genetic diversity, in vivo and in vitro expression optimization, and/or multiple high-throughput screening or selection methods.

• Familiarity with one or more of the following areas: computational protein design, machine learning, microfluidics, or automation.

• Experience with reproducible data analysis, for example, using Python or R.

• Experience with biocatalytic process development.

ElligbleforERP

PRD

To learn more about the PRD team, click:Join Our Process Research & Development Team

Required Skills:

Biochemistry, Biophysics, Communication, Computational Design, Metabolic Engineering, Molecular Biology, Organizing, Protein Design, Protein Engineering

Preferred Skills:

Automation, High-Throughput Screening, In Vitro Experiment, In Vivo Experiment, Machine Learning (ML), Proteins, Python (Programming Language), R Programming, Small Molecule Drug Development, Small Molecule Drug Discovery, Small Molecules

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:

EEOC Know Your Rights

EEOC GINA Supplement

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

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

$117,000.00 - $184,200.00

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:

Domestic

VISA Sponsorship:

Yes

Travel Requirements:

10%

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Not Applicable

Shift:

Not Indicated

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

n/a

Job Posting End Date:

02/16/2026

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

Requisition ID:R383686

PDN-a0fd13d4-ec03-4c7a-9f5c-33fa0b6c178f