# Associate Principal Scientist, Upstream Development

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

Canonical page: https://career.thegoodapps.co/jobs/ae2102d0-c62c-459a-8a89-28a7ad8d19bd

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 of mammalian cell culture manufacturing processes for biopharmaceutical drug candidates, from early clinical through commercial launch. It suits scientists with substantial hands-on upstream bioprocessing experience who can direct complex process optimization projects, mentor junior researchers, and collaborate across functions while maintaining strong external scientific visibility.

_Our summary, not Merck's wording._

## Skills named

Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), Design of Experiments (DOE), Molecular Biology, Statistical Methods

## Required

- Ph.D. in chemical engineering, bioengineering, biological engineering, or related field with 4+ years of experience (or Master's with 8+ years, or Bachelor's with 12+ years)
- 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
- Experience with bioreactors from microbioreactors to pilot-scale
- Strong publication and presentation record in upstream process development
- Ability to plan, execute, analyze, and document cell culture process development
- Complex data analysis and communication skills
- Cross-functional and matrixed team collaboration
- Initiative and creativity in problem-solving
- Delivery of complex objectives on aggressive timelines

## Nice to have

- Cell culture media development experience
- High-throughput microbioreactor systems and advanced in situ analytics
- State-of-the-art processes including intensified fed-batch and perfusion
- Data science approaches: metabolic flux analysis, omics, machine learning, predictive modeling
- Late-stage commercial process development and technology transfer experience
- Scale-down model qualification and process characterization
- Knowledge of biologics CMC development cycle and GMP manufacturing scale-up

Apply on Merck's site: https://msd.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/SearchJobs/job/USA---New-Jersey---Rahway/Associate-Principal-Scientist--Upstream-Development_R399014-1