Associate Principal Scientist, Laboratory Automation Engineer

Associate Principal Scientist, Laboratory Automation Engineer in Digital Technologies Lab Automation

Location: Rahway, NJ

Digital is the multiplier that will allow Development Sciences and Clinical Supply (DSCS) to deliver better experiments faster, efficient filing and launch, more robust supply chains and higher-confidence decisions across the portfolio.

The DSCS Digital Technologies organization is responsible for the invention and application of new data-rich tools to support scientists across process development, drug product development and analytical development within DSCS at our company. We aspire to embed data-intense technologies into the fabric of DSCS culture. The tools that we develop are as diverse as the team developing them, and in this Associate Principal Scientist role, the chosen candidate will leverage their laboratory robotics and automation skills to enable our development efforts across our company's small molecule, biologics, and vaccines portfolio.

In this role, we are seeking a motivated Laboratory Automation Engineer, located in Rahway, NJ as part of Digital Technologies Lab Automation. The candidate will focus on designing, implementing, and optimizing automated laboratory systems to accelerate development timelines while ensuring operational excellence and regulatory compliance.

This role will work collaboratively with drug product, drug substance, analytical, automation scientists/engineers, and cross-functional teams to build innovative capabilities in laboratory automation. The candidate will contribute toward operational excellence of existing automation platforms while also developing next-generation automated solutions to support current and future DSCS development initiatives.

Responsibilities:

• Design, develop, optimize, and operate robotic liquid handlers, robotic workcells, and other automation platforms for biopharmaceutical research applications – which can span liquid handling software development and potentially include device integration and/or hardware design and implementation
• Work alongside research scientists to understand their experimental needs and translate them into automated solutions deployed across programs and modalities
• Create lab automation solutions integrating mechanical, electrical, and software components for specialized research applications
• Collaborate with teams of scientists in automation, data science, modeling, and other physical and digital automation disciplines
• Effectively manage complex automation projects from conception through completion with diverse stakeholders
• Innovate existing automated workflows and platforms to achieve improved performance, accessibility, maintainability, and reliability
• Integrate robotic systems with existing laboratory equipment and data capture systems.
• Provide technical support, troubleshooting, and training to laboratory personnel
• Maintain detailed documentation of system configurations, procedures, and modifications

Education Minimum Requirement:

• A Ph.D. in Engineering, Robotics, Mechatronics, Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Pharmaceutical Sciences or a closely related field with at least 3 years of relevant experience
• A M.S. in Engineering, Robotics, Mechatronics, Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Pharmaceutical Sciences or a closely related field with at least 5 years of relevant experience
• A B.S. in in Engineering, Robotics, Mechatronics, Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Pharmaceutical Sciences or a closely related field with at least 7 years of relevant experience

Required Experience and Skills:

• Experience in a lab-based setting, working with lab automation and equipment integration
• Proficient in designing, validating, optimizing, and operating robotic liquid handlers, robotic workcells, and other automation platforms
• Experience with scripting/programming in one or more of the following: Python, C#, VBA, JavaScript, R, following accepted best practices (version control, design patterns, clean code)
• Experience with one or more commercial lab automation platforms, specifically front-end software, such as: Tecan, Biomek, Formulatrix or Hamilton liquid handlers
• Experience in integrating laboratory instruments with custom or commercial software solutions
• Understanding of (bio)pharmaceutical process research and development, drug product development, and/ or analytical development
• Demonstrated ability to work in an entrepreneurial and independent manner while being a team player
• Collaboration and communication skills with the ability to navigate conversations with technicians and vendors
• Experience leading technical projects with cross-functional teams

Preferred Experience and Skills:

• Experience with Benchling, Signals, or other commercial laboratory notebook software
• Experience with ThermoFisher Momentum, Biosero Green Button Go, or HighRes Cellario robotic scheduling software
• Deep knowledge about laboratory automation software, firmware, hardware, and their integration into end-to-end solutions
• Ability to recognize, prototype, and deploy innovative technologies in laboratory automation
• Understanding of data science and AI/ML concepts and their application to laboratory automation
• Wet lab experience in (bio)pharmaceutical drug substance, drug product, and analytical research and development

Required Skills:

Automation, Cell Line Development, Data Science, Detail-Oriented, Downstream Process Development, Drug Delivery Technology, Drug Development, Entrepreneurship, Expression Vectors, Firmware, Interpersonal Relationships, Lab Equipment Maintenance, Laboratory Automation, Laboratory Documentation, Lab Testing Equipment, Leading Project Teams, Molecular Biology, Operational Excellence, Pharmaceutical Formulations, Pharmaceutical Process Development, Pharmacology, Physical Characterization, Python (Programming Language), Robotic Liquid Handlers

Preferred Skills:

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U.S. Hybrid Work Model

Effective September 5, 2023, employees in office-based positions in the U.S. will be working a Hybrid work consisting of three total days on-site per week, Monday - Thursday, although the specific days may vary by site or organization, with Friday designated as a remote-working day, unless business critical tasks require an on-site presence.This Hybrid work model does not apply to, and daily in-person attendance is required for, field-based positions; facility-based, manufacturing-based, or research-based positions where the work to be performed is located at a Company site; positions covered by a collective-bargaining agreement (unless the agreement provides for hybrid work); or any other position for which the Company has determined the job requirements cannot be reasonably met working remotely. Please note, this Hybrid work model guidance also does not apply to roles that have been designated as "remote".

The salary range for this role is

$142,400.00 - $224,100.00

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