Job Description
We are seeking a highly motivated Associate Scientist to join our Upstream Process Development team supporting the development of therapeutic monoclonal antibodies and other biologic products. This is an excellent opportunity for an early-career scientist who is passionate about cell culture, bioprocess development, and biologics manufacturing. In this hands-on laboratory role, you will contribute to the development and optimization of mammalian cell culture processes using stable CHO cell lines for antibody production. You will work closely with cross-functional teams including Cell Line Development, Analytical Development, Formulation Development, and Downstream Process Development to advance innovative therapeutics from discovery through development. The ideal candidate is scientifically curious, eager to learn, detail-oriented, and enjoys working in a collaborative research environment. Training will be provided for selected instrumentation and platform technologies..
Key Responsibilities:
Conduct mammalian cell culture activities including thawing, expansion, maintenance, and cultivation of CHO cell lines in shake flasks and bioreactors.
Execute upstream process development experiments to support monoclonal antibody production.
Monitor cell culture performance through routine sampling and analysis of key process parameters, including viable cell density, viability, metabolites, and product titer.
Perform in-process and off-line analytical testing using cell counters, bioanalyzers, metabolite analyzers, and other laboratory instrumentation.
Support bioreactor setup, operation, monitoring, troubleshooting, and maintenance across multiple scales.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams to support sample testing, data generation, and process development activities.
Analyze and interpret experimental data to identify trends and support process optimization.
Maintain accurate and timely documentation in electronic laboratory notebooks and prepare technical reports and presentations.
Ensure compliance with laboratory safety guidelines, standard operating procedures, and data integrity requirements.
Required Education:
Bachelor's degree in Biotechnology, Biochemical Engineering, Bioengineering, Biology, Biochemistry, Chemical Engineering, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or a related scientific discipline.
Required Experience and Skills:
Minimum of 1 year of experience working in a laboratory environment.
Hands on experience with aseptic techniques and mammalian cell culture principles.
Good understanding of the design principles of commonly used cell culture equipment including the shaking incubators.
Strong attention to detail and ability to accurately document and organize experimental data.
Basic data analysis and data visualization skills using software such as Excel, GraphPad Prism, or similar tools.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to work independently while contributing effectively within multidisciplinary team environment.
Demonstrated eagerness to learn new techniques and technologies.
Preferred Experience and Skills:
Experience with CHO cell culture for recombinant protein or antibody production.
Hands-on experience operating benchtop or pilot-scale bioreactors.
Experience with cell counting, viability assessment, metabolite analysis, or protein titer measurement.
Proficiency in laboratory software and data analysis tools relevant to upstream operations
Industry experience in the CHO cell based upstream process development for biological therapeutics
Knowledge and experience with different type of cell culture process for recombinant protein or monoclonal antibody production
Required Skills:
Analytical Biochemistry, Analytical Biochemistry, Animal Science, Antibody Production, Assay Development, Biochemistry, Biological Engineering, Biologics, Biology, Biophysics, Bioprocess Engineering, Bioreactors, Biotechnology, Cell Biology, Cell Counting, Cell Culture Techniques, Culture Media, Data Analysis, Data Documentation, Downstream Processing, Electronic Lab Notebook (ELN), Independent Thinking, Laboratory Management, Laboratory Safety, Laboratory Techniques {+ 7 more}
Preferred Skills:
Current Employees apply
Current Contingent Workers apply
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 if you need an accommodation during the application or hiring process.
The salary range for this role is
$71,900.00 - $113,200.00
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 .
You can apply for this role through (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:
No Travel Required
Flexible Work Arrangements:
Not Applicable
Shift:
1st - Day
Valid Driving License:
No
Hazardous Material(s):
N/A
Job Posting End Date:
09/18/2026
*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.
