Job Description

Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Polysaccharide conjugate vaccine antigen processing and MHC II-restricted epitopes presentation in antigen presenting cells Research Fellow in the Large Molecule Analytical  

Be a part of the legacy: Postdoctoral Research Fellow Program

Research Laboratories’ Postdoctoral Research Fellow Program aims to be a best-in-industry program for industrial postdoctoral researchers, designed to provide you with an academic focus in a commercial environment. With the resources and expertise of a large pharmaceutical company, postdoctoral researchers will be positioned to excel in an institution committed to breakthrough innovation in research and discovery.

Location: West Point, PA

Position Overview:

We are seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral research fellow to join the Large Molecule Analytical, in a collaboration with the Pharmaceutical Analysis & Digital Technologies Department at our company. The successful candidate will initiate an independent research project focused on developing and applying the innovative approach of MHC II-restricted peptide and polysaccharide (PS) epitope mapping.  The goal of this work is to deepen our understanding underlying vaccine mechanism of action (MoA) and vaccine efficacy. This position offers broad opportunities for collaborations across our company, ranging from vaccine MoA understanding, polysaccharide separation, and Mass Spectrometry.  The research will contribute to advancing vaccine understanding and data-driven decision-making in vaccine design.  The expectation is that this work will enhance the current knowledge of how a polysaccharide conjugate vaccine is processed and presented by antigen presenting cells (APCs), enabling rational vaccine optimization. This approach is aimed to ultimately impact our company's pipeline of vaccine development, as well as the scientific community by yielding publications in high-tier scientific journals.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Independent end to end experimental design and execution to address the studies with model antigen selected and drive conclusions to next steps and MoA understanding.
• Design, planning, and preparation of MHC II-peptide/glycopeptide complexes from various types of human APCs.
• Purification of MHC II complexes through immunoprecipitation.
• Identify peptide and PS epitopes isolated from different kinds of human APCs.
• Assess human T-cell activation using synthesized immunodominant peptides or peptides conjugated with PS.  
• Collaborate with internal and external partners to design and execute the experiments, analyze results and interpret data.
• Clearly communicate results with colleagues and the external scientific community through presentations and publications in leading peer-reviewed journals.

Education Minimum Requirement:

• Must currently hold a Ph.D. OR
• Receive a Ph.D. no later than spring 2027
• Ph.D. degree in Immunology, Virology, Biology, Biochemistry, Pharmaceutical Science or a related discipline.

Required Experience and Skills:

• Experience in mammalian cell culture, immunological assays including ELISA, Western Blot, and Flow Cytometry.
• Significant experience in MHC I / MHC II-restricted epitope identification/mapping, preferably using immunoprecipitation and Mass Spectrometry analysis, including sample preparation, data collection, and data processing. 
• Motivated to solve complex problems by undertaking innovative approaches and applying state-of-the-art technologies.
• Demonstrated ability to be self-driven to address scientific challenges.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.

Preferred Experience and Skills:

• Have a deep understanding of immunology, virology, and/or bacteriology, and are capable of making contributions to advance these fields.
• Familiarity with biophysical and biochemical characterization techniques such as Mass Spectrometry, size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) is a plus.
• Ability to work independently, as well as collaboratively with peers within and across departments.
• Effective organizational and multi-tasking skills.
• Experience training and mentoring junior scientists.

Your role at our company is integral to helping the world meet new breakthroughs that affect generations to come, and we’re counting on your skills and inventiveness to help make meaningful contributions to global medical advancement. Using the power of leading-edge science to save and improve lives around the world.

The salary range for this role is: $82,000- $92,000

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.

Required Skills:

Preferred Skills:

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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.

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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. 

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