# Associate Principal Scientist, Upstream Process Development

Hiring organization: [Merck](https://career.thegoodapps.co/organizations/merck)

Canonical page: https://career.thegoodapps.co/jobs/a15ddb0f-8c09-4605-a00d-b80d9fd54e4f

Listed on Merck's own careers site. Applications go to them directly.

- Employment type: full time
- Seniority: Senior
- Location: Rahway, NJ
- Salary: 142400 – 224100 USD per year

## Summary

This role leads the development and optimization of mammalian cell culture processes for biotherapeutic drug manufacturing, from early-stage clinical material to commercial production. It suits experienced bioprocess engineers with a strong track record in upstream process development, cell line work, and the ability to collaborate across technical disciplines while advancing innovation in recombinant protein production.

_Our summary, not Merck's wording._

## Skills named

Design of Experiments (DOE), Statistical Analysis

## Required

- Ph.D. in chemical engineering, bioengineering, biological engineering, or related field with 4+ years' experience, or Master's degree with 8+ years' experience
- Hands-on experience with mammalian cell culture and fed-batch processes for recombinant protein production
- Working knowledge of CHO cell biology, metabolism, and cell culture media
- Understanding of bioreactor types and scale-up principles
- Proven track record in upstream process development with publication and presentation history
- Ability to plan, execute, analyze, and document cell culture process development
- Strong verbal and written communication skills
- Ability to work effectively in cross-functional teams with internal and external partners
- Demonstrated initiative, creativity, and problem-solving abilities
- Laboratory productivity and ability to deliver under aggressive timelines

## Nice to have

- Experience with cell culture media development
- Experience with high-throughput microbioreactor systems and advanced in situ analytics
- Experience with intensified fed-batch and perfusion process development
- Background in data science approaches such as metabolic flux analysis, omics, or machine learning
- Experience with computational fluid dynamics and PAT integration
- Experience with late-stage commercial process development, scale-down model qualification, and process characterization
- Knowledge of biologics CMC development cycle and technology transfer to GMP sites

Apply on Merck's site: https://msd.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/SearchJobs/job/USA---New-Jersey---Rahway/Associate-Principal-Scientist--Upstream-Process-Development_R399270-1