What are the responsibilities and job description for the Scientist, Biology-Discovery position at Merck?
Job Description
Position Summary:
We are seeking a highly motivated and skilled scientist to join our team in the formulation development and stability testing of therapeutic monoclonal antibodies and related biologics. This hands-on, laboratory-based role is responsible for designing and developing robust, scalable, and stable formulations to support product development and regulatory submissions. The successful candidate will lead execution of formulation screening and stability studies while collaborating cross-functionally with process development, analytical, and manufacturing teams.
Key Responsibilities
Education:
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.
Requirements
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
$85,600.00 - $134,800.00
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
10%
Flexible Work Arrangements
Not Applicable
Shift
1st - Day
Valid Driving License
No
Hazardous Material(s)
n/a
Required Skills
Accountability, Accountability, Adaptability, Antibody Therapeutics, Assay Development, Biochemistry, Cell Biology, Cell Culture Techniques, Cell Transfection, Chemical Biology, Chemical Engineering, Chemical Technology, Communication, Data Analysis, Detail-Oriented, Flow Cytometry, Immunocytochemistry (ICC), In Vitro Assays, Lab Equipment Maintenance, Laboratory Documentation, Laboratory Maintenance, Luminex Assays, Microbiology, Molecular Biology Techniques, Monoclonal Antibodies { 4 more}
Preferred Skills
Job Posting End Date:
10/2/2025
Position Summary:
We are seeking a highly motivated and skilled scientist to join our team in the formulation development and stability testing of therapeutic monoclonal antibodies and related biologics. This hands-on, laboratory-based role is responsible for designing and developing robust, scalable, and stable formulations to support product development and regulatory submissions. The successful candidate will lead execution of formulation screening and stability studies while collaborating cross-functionally with process development, analytical, and manufacturing teams.
Key Responsibilities
- Design and execute experiments to screen excipients and stabilizers for liquid formulations of monoclonal antibodies.
- Develop formulations by selecting appropriate excipients, buffers, surfactants, pH conditions, and other components based on the physicochemical properties of the antibody product.
- Optimize formulations through data-driven iteration to achieve desired stability and performance.
- Plan and conduct accelerated stability studies, including stress and forced degradation testing, to evaluate formulation robustness and understand degradation pathways.
- Perform real-time and accelerated stability testing across various stages of product development (e.g., BDS, DP, reference standards, intermediates).
- Utilize analytical and biophysical techniques for protein characterization and stability assessment, including but not limited to HPLC/UPLC, CE, DLS, DSC, and spectrometry.
- Author technical reports and study protocols. maintain accurate and detailed records in electronic laboratory notebooks.
- Conduct routine laboratory work and maintain laboratory equipment.
- Present experimental findings and project updates to internal teams and stakeholders.
- Collaborate with internal teams to assess protein quality and support analytical needs across departments.
- Work cross-functionally with teams in process development, analytical sciences, and manufacturing.
Education:
- Bachelor’s degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a related discipline required.
- Master’s degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a related discipline preferred.
- Minimum of 5 years of experience in formulation development of recombinant proteins.
- Hands-on experience in developing liquid formulations for biologics, particularly monoclonal antibodies or antibody-like products.
- Proficiency in designing and executing real-time and accelerated stability studies.
- Strong technical expertise in analytical and biophysical characterization techniques (e.g., HPLC/UPLC, CE, DLS, DSC).
- Excellent problem-solving, communication, and teamwork skills.
- Ability to work independently and manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.
- 3–5 years of experience in antibody therapeutic discovery or development.
- Deep understanding of protein chemistry, degradation mechanisms, and stabilization strategies.
- Experience in formulation development across diverse therapeutic areas.
- Familiarity with high-throughput formulation screening approaches.
- Experience in forced degradation studies and defining critical quality attributes (CQAs) from stability data.
- Knowledge of regulatory guidelines and requirements for biologics formulation and stability testing.
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.
Requirements
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
$85,600.00 - $134,800.00
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
10%
Flexible Work Arrangements
Not Applicable
Shift
1st - Day
Valid Driving License
No
Hazardous Material(s)
n/a
Required Skills
Accountability, Accountability, Adaptability, Antibody Therapeutics, Assay Development, Biochemistry, Cell Biology, Cell Culture Techniques, Cell Transfection, Chemical Biology, Chemical Engineering, Chemical Technology, Communication, Data Analysis, Detail-Oriented, Flow Cytometry, Immunocytochemistry (ICC), In Vitro Assays, Lab Equipment Maintenance, Laboratory Documentation, Laboratory Maintenance, Luminex Assays, Microbiology, Molecular Biology Techniques, Monoclonal Antibodies { 4 more}
Preferred Skills
Job Posting End Date:
10/2/2025
- 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.
Salary : $85,600 - $134,800
