Merck
Associate Scientist, Postdoctoral Fellow - Large Molecules
Merck, West Point, Nebraska, United States, 68788
Job Description
Discovery Pharmaceutical Sciences (DPS) is a multi-disciplinary research group that enables drug discovery and drug product development through application of pharmaceutical science and drug delivery research from target identification through clinical candidate selection for both therapeutics and vaccines. DPS in West Point, PA is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Fellow to join the department. The successful candidate will lead a multidisciplinary effort to evaluate the delivery and stability of structurally diverse large molecule APIs (therapeutic proteins, peptides, vaccine antigens) through development of versatile biomaterial platforms based on hydrogels.
Responsibilities
Design, prepare, and characterize formulation approaches for biologics and vaccine antigens.
Evaluate drug release kinetics in vitro and assess stability under accelerated conditions.
Support the design and execution of in vivo studies for preclinical performance.
Collaborate closely with colleagues in Pharmaceutical Sciences and connected R&D organizations to address formulation and delivery challenges of biologics and vaccines.
Present novel findings at internal and external scientific forums and publish in peer‑reviewed journals.
Independently develop and implement scientific ideas and strategies in an interdisciplinary environment, sharing learnings with cross‑functional teams.
Minimum Required Education Candidates must currently hold a Ph.D. or earn a Ph.D. by Spring of 2026. Degree should be in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry/Biochemistry, Biomedical Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, or related disciplines.
Required Experience and Skills
Background in materials science, biomaterials, polymer chemistry, supramolecular materials, protein/vaccine formulations, and/or bioconjugation techniques.
Knowledge and experience in materials and analytical characterization.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Excellent interpersonal skills and strong ability to collaborate effectively in a team environment with cross‑functional interactions.
Initiating problem solving and finding solutions to scientific challenges independently.
Strong scientific acumen and motivation to solve complex scientific problems via independent planning, design, execution, and interpretation of experiments.
Preferred Experience and Skills
Soft materials/biomaterials design and supramolecular hydrogels.
Formulation and drug delivery expertise.
Complex delivery systems including gels, liposomes, and particulate‑based formulations.
Protein science and biochemistry, including understanding of molecular liabilities and post‑translational modification.
Protein biophysical and biochemical characterization techniques.
Chemical process mathematical modeling.
Experimental knowledge and skills in materials science characterization (DLS, SLS, DSC, FTIR, electron microscopy, NMR, rheology) and/or analytical methodologies of large molecules (CD, fluorescence, UV‑Vis, SDS‑PAGE, CE‑SDS, cIEF, SEC, HPLC, ELISA).
Familiarity with state‑of‑the‑art drug delivery technologies from academic and industry.
Strong track record of peer‑reviewed publications.
Equal Employment Opportunity 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.
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Responsibilities
Design, prepare, and characterize formulation approaches for biologics and vaccine antigens.
Evaluate drug release kinetics in vitro and assess stability under accelerated conditions.
Support the design and execution of in vivo studies for preclinical performance.
Collaborate closely with colleagues in Pharmaceutical Sciences and connected R&D organizations to address formulation and delivery challenges of biologics and vaccines.
Present novel findings at internal and external scientific forums and publish in peer‑reviewed journals.
Independently develop and implement scientific ideas and strategies in an interdisciplinary environment, sharing learnings with cross‑functional teams.
Minimum Required Education Candidates must currently hold a Ph.D. or earn a Ph.D. by Spring of 2026. Degree should be in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry/Biochemistry, Biomedical Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, or related disciplines.
Required Experience and Skills
Background in materials science, biomaterials, polymer chemistry, supramolecular materials, protein/vaccine formulations, and/or bioconjugation techniques.
Knowledge and experience in materials and analytical characterization.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Excellent interpersonal skills and strong ability to collaborate effectively in a team environment with cross‑functional interactions.
Initiating problem solving and finding solutions to scientific challenges independently.
Strong scientific acumen and motivation to solve complex scientific problems via independent planning, design, execution, and interpretation of experiments.
Preferred Experience and Skills
Soft materials/biomaterials design and supramolecular hydrogels.
Formulation and drug delivery expertise.
Complex delivery systems including gels, liposomes, and particulate‑based formulations.
Protein science and biochemistry, including understanding of molecular liabilities and post‑translational modification.
Protein biophysical and biochemical characterization techniques.
Chemical process mathematical modeling.
Experimental knowledge and skills in materials science characterization (DLS, SLS, DSC, FTIR, electron microscopy, NMR, rheology) and/or analytical methodologies of large molecules (CD, fluorescence, UV‑Vis, SDS‑PAGE, CE‑SDS, cIEF, SEC, HPLC, ELISA).
Familiarity with state‑of‑the‑art drug delivery technologies from academic and industry.
Strong track record of peer‑reviewed publications.
Equal Employment Opportunity 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.
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