Senior Scientist, Pharmacokinetics

MSD

. Lead assay lifecycle activities for cell-based immunoassays, including design, execution, optimization, qualification, implementation, troubleshooting, documentation, and transfer readiness for preclinical and clinical samples .

Posted 9/25/2026full-timeLower Gwynedd Township • Pennsylvania • United StatesSenior💰 $117,000 - $184,200 per yearWebsite

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Lead assay lifecycle activities for cell-based immunoassays, including design, execution, optimization, qualification, implementation, troubleshooting, documentation, and transfer readiness for preclinical and clinical samples
Develop and apply cellular immunology methods, including intracellular cytokine staining, ELISpot/FluoroSpot, cytokine profiling, and related functional assays to characterize immune responses
Support flow cytometry instrument readiness through calibrations, routine maintenance, troubleshooting, and coordination with vendors or operations teams for service and repair
Author and review SOPs, test methods, qualification documents, technical reports, and scientific presentations
Communicate assay strategy, data interpretation, technical risks, limitations, and recommendations to internal stakeholders, cross-functional teams, and external scientific audiences
Apply laboratory experimentation, data analytics, automation, robotic liquid handling, and risk-based troubleshooting to improve assay performance, workflow efficiency, data quality, and bioanalytical capability
Serve as an internal subject matter expert by providing scientific rationale, technical guidance, training, and mentoring to colleagues, junior scientists, and contractors
Work effectively in a regulated GxP environment while maintaining complete documentation, supporting data integrity, and ensuring assay activities follow SOPs, test methods, and regulatory expectations

Requirements

What you’ll need

Ph.D. in immunology, cell biology, biology, bioengineering, or a related scientific discipline; or M.S. with 2+ years of relevant industry experience; or B.S. with 5+ years of relevant industry experience
Ability to work safely with viruses, bacteria, and potentially infectious human and animal samples under BSL-2 laboratory practices
Experience working in, or strong understanding of, regulated bioanalytical workflows, GxP documentation practices, assay development, qualification/validation expectations, and data integrity principles
Strong scientific judgment, experimental design, and troubleshooting skills
Ability to independently identify root causes, assess technical risk, and recommend scientifically sound next steps
Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills
Ability to communicate assay strategy, technical risks, data interpretation, and recommendations to scientific and cross-functional stakeholders
Strong attention to detail and organizational skills
Ability to manage multiple studies, assay development activities, and documentation deliverables simultaneously
Relevant experience in immunology, cell-based assay development, or regulated bioanalytical assay development
Preferred: Experience with human PBMC isolation, cryopreservation, thawing, culture, and maintenance of primary immune cells and/or relevant cell lines
Preferred: Experience assessing immune cell function using multiparameter flow cytometry, intracellular cytokine staining, T-cell and B-cell ELISpot/FluoroSpot, multiplex cytokine platforms, and related cellular immunology methods
Preferred: Hands-on experience developing, optimizing, and analyzing multicolor flow cytometry panels, including gating strategy development, compensation, controls, and interpretation of complex datasets
Preferred: Experience with liquid handlers, automated sample preparation workflows, data analytics, and automation or digital tools
Preferred: Working knowledge of FlowJo, GraphPad Prism, Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and related scientific software
Required skills include Cytometry, GraphPad Prism, Immunoassays, Immunology Research, Ligand Binding Assay, Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacology, Sample Preparations, Scientific Presentations, Scientific Research, Scientific Writing, Technical Reviews, and Vaccine Development
US and Puerto Rico residents only
Visa sponsorship: No

Benefits

Comp & perks

Annual bonus
Long-term incentive, if applicable
Medical, dental, and vision healthcare
Other insurance benefits for employee and family
Retirement benefits, including 401(k)
Paid holidays
Vacation
Compassionate and sick days
Relocation: Domestic