The posting
Job Description
For over 130 years, we have pioneered groundbreaking science. Today, we are driven by continuous innovation to develop breakthrough medicines, vaccines and technology. Rooted in direct experience on the farm and in the clinic, we work hand in hand with our customers every step of the way.
Our singular focus is to empower those who care for animals, helping them manage their vital responsibility with confidence. Because when it comes to animal health, no one sees it like we do.
Job Title: Associate Scientist - Formulation Development
Position Summary:
We are seeking a highly motivated Associate Scientist to join our Formulation Development team supporting the research and development of therapeutic veterinary monoclonal antibodies and other biologic products. This is an excellent opportunity for an early-career scientist with a strong chemistry, biochemistry, pharmaceutical sciences, or related background who is interested in protein formulation, analytical characterization, and biologics product development. In this hands-on laboratory role, you will contribute to formulation screening, stability studies, analytical testing, and the development of robust formulations for veterinary therapeutic antibodies. You will work closely with cross-functional teams including Early Discovery Research, Upstream Process Development, Downstream Process Development, Analytical and Bioassay Development, and Manufacturing Team to advance veterinary biologics from research through development. The ideal candidate is scientifically analytically minded, detail-oriented, and comfortable working with laboratory instruments and quantitative data. Training will be provided for selected instrumentation and platform technologies.
Key Responsibilities:
- Prepare formulation buffers, excipient solutions, standards, and samples using accurate weighing, pH adjustment, dilution, filtration, and solution-handling techniques.
- Execute formulation screening and optimization studies for monoclonal antibodies, including evaluation of pH, buffer systems, salts, surfactants, stabilizers, protein concentration, and other formulation variables.
- Conduct forced-degradation, accelerated-stability, freeze-thaw, agitation, light-exposure, and other stress studies to assess product quality and formulation robustness.
- Perform routine analytical testing using techniques such as UV-Vis spectroscopy, protein concentration measurement, pH, osmolality, appearance, turbidity, particle assessment, chromatography, electrophoresis, and thermal stability analysis, as available.
- Support evaluation of monoclonal antibody physicochemical stability, including aggregation, fragmentation, oxidation, deamidation, charge heterogeneity, precipitation, and particle formation.
- Operate, calibrate, troubleshoot, and maintain formulation and analytical laboratory equipment in accordance with established procedures.
- Analyze and interpret experimental data, identify trends, compare formulation conditions, and communicate scientifically supported conclusions and recommendations.
- Maintain accurate and timely documentation in electronic laboratory notebooks and prepare study summaries, technical reports, protocols, and presentations.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams while following laboratory safety requirements, standard operating procedures, and data integrity expectations.
Qualifications:
Minimum Education:
- Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemical Engineering, Biotechnology, Bioengineering, or a related scientific discipline.
Required Experience and Skills:
- Experience working in a chemistry, biochemistry, pharmaceutical, analytical, or biologics laboratory environment.
- Strong foundation in chemistry, including solution preparation, concentration calculations, pH and buffer concepts, dilution, and basic physicochemical principles.
- Hands-on experience with common analytical laboratory techniques and instruments, with the ability to follow methods and generate reliable quantitative data.
- Strong attention to detail and ability to accurately document, organize, review, and interpret experimental results.
- Basic data analysis and 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 a multidisciplinary team environment.
- Demonstrated eagerness to learn new formulation, analytical, and protein characterization techniques.
Preferred Experience and Skills:
The following qualifications are preferred but not required:
- One to two years experience with formulation development or stability assessment of proteins, monoclonal antibodies, vaccines, or other biologic products.
- Hands-on experience with analytical techniques such as SEC-HPLC/UPLC, ion-exchange chromatography, capillary electrophoresis, SDS-PAGE, dynamic light scattering, differential scanning fluorimetry, or related methods.
- Experience assessing protein concentration, purity, aggregation, charge variants, thermal stability, particles, viscosity, osmolality, or other formulation-relevant attributes.
- Working knowledge of protein chemistry, colloidal stability, chemical degradation pathways, and the role of common biopharmaceutical excipients.
- Industry or academic research experience supporting biologics formulation development, analytical development, or product characterization.
Required Skills:
Analytical Biochemistry, Analytical Biochemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Animal Science, Antibodies, Assay Development, Biochemistry, Biological Engineering, Biology, Biophysics, Biotechnology, Cell Biology, Cell Culture Techniques, Chemistry, Data Analysis, Data Documentation, Electronic Lab Notebook (ELN), Independent Thinking, Laboratory Instrumentation, Laboratory Protocols, Laboratory Techniques, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Monoclonal Antibodies, Pharmaceutical Sciences {+ 6 more}
Preferred Skills:
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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.
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:
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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
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 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:
No Travel Required
Flexible Work Arrangements:
Not Applicable
Shift:
1st - Day
Valid Driving License:
No
Hazardous Material(s):
n/a
Job Posting End Date:
10/21/2026
*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.
