BTS Associate Scientist

Job Description

BTS Associate Scientist - Specialist

• 2-Year Fixed Term Contract with Competitive Remuneration

• Opportunity to upskill and grow in advanced vaccine and bioprocess science, working with cutting-edge technologies and global experts

• Based in Upper Hutt, New Zealand, contributing locally while collaborating with our global Animal Health network

• Join a trusted, global-leading Animal Health organisation where your work directly supports the reliable supply of life-saving vaccines for animals worldwide

Biotechnology Solutions (BTS) within Animal Health is responsible for remediation, improvement, and project management for commercial vaccines and process and analytics work across manufacturing and quality. Based at Upper Hutt, BTS also supports process development for immunological, analytical, and biological methods used to test antigens and vaccines, production processes for bacterial antigens, vaccine manufacturing/formulation processes for new vaccines in the R&D pipeline, and technology transfers.

The BTS team works closely with Manufacturing, Quality, and R&D colleagues worldwide.

As a BTS Associate Scientist - Specialist, you will develop and validate ELISA methods and support other in vitro antigen assay method development, manage assigned projects, and support improvements to antigen and vaccine production processes as needed.

What You Must have

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Leadership and Improvement Activities

• Develop a strong working knowledge of assigned projects and workstreams, contributing to related activities as required

• Work closely with project leads and stakeholders to plan, deliver, monitor, and report on assigned activities, escalating risks and issues when needed

• Communicate clearly and effectively to maintain alignment, encourage collaboration, and support timely decision-making

• Contribute to On-Point, 8-Step Problem Solving, and continuous improvement initiatives, taking ownership of defined actions where appropriate

• Collaborate with colleagues locally and globally across BTS, Manufacturing, Quality, R&D, Regulatory, and Supply Chain

• Contribute to trials, experiments, method development, and process development through accurate execution, documentation, and reporting

• Support vaccine process development, technology development, and technology transfer by completing assigned tasks and preparing technical documentation

What You Must Have

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Immunology, Protein Biology, Biotechnology, Microbiology, or a related field

• Demonstrated critical thinking and analytical skills

Required Skills and Experience

• Strong team player with clear communication, organisational, and interpersonal skills.

• Able to work effectively in a matrix GMP biopharma / biological / vaccine manufacturing environment with appropriate guidance

• Developing project management skills, with the ability to plan, organise, and track assigned work to meet agreed timelines

• Knowledge and developing experience in immunological and biological methods used to measure antigens and vaccines, including method execution, data review, and documentation

• Familiarity with developing and executing in vitro methods to measure antigens and vaccines, with support from technical leads or senior scientists as required

• Experience in ELISA method development, including assay design support, optimisation, execution, data review, and documentation in a regulated laboratory environment

• Experience or exposure to a biopharmaceutical production, laboratory, bioprocessing, or other regulated environment

• Developing working knowledge of GMP, GDP, data integrity, and EHS expectations in a regulated biological/pharmaceutical manufacturing environment

• Foundational theoretical and practical understanding of upstream and downstream processing technologies for biopharmaceuticals at laboratory or manufacturing scale

• Ability to work accurately and with attention to detail, while understanding how assigned tasks contribute to broader project or site outcomes

• Ability to analyse routine technical information, identify anomalies, and escalate appropriately with proposed next steps where possible

• Hands-on scientist able to execute assigned laboratory or technical activities safely, accurately, and within agreed timelines

• Fluent in English, with the ability to write clear technical notes, protocols, records, and reports

What You Can Expect

• Autonomy on complex vaccine and process challenges, with strong support from BTS, Manufacturing, Quality and R&D

• A visible, impactful role where your problem-solving directly supports reliable antigen and vaccine supply

• Broad exposure across the vaccine lifecycle, creating future career and skill development opportunities

• Exposure to biopharmaceutical production or bioprocessing in a regulated laboratory or manufacturing environment

• Broader understanding of upstream and downstream processing

• A collaborative, multidisciplinary team that shares knowledge, encourages innovation and values your ideas

We are proud to be a company that embraces the value of bringing talented and committed people together. The fastest way to breakthrough innovation is when ideas come together in an inclusive environment. We encourage our colleagues to respectfully challenge one another’s thinking and approach problems collectively. We are an equal opportunity employer, committed to fostering an inclusive workplace.

Required Skills:

Activity Management, Biological Sciences, Data Monitoring, Data Recording, Good Laboratory Practices (GLPs), Legal Compliance, Manufacturing Quality Control, Method Validation, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Research Techniques, Scientific Communications, Strategic Objectives, Team Collaboration, Technical Writing

Preferred Skills:

Current Employees apply HERE

Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

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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. 

Employee Status:

Temporary (Fixed Term)

Relocation:

No relocation

VISA Sponsorship:

No

Travel Requirements:

No Travel Required

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Not Applicable

Shift:

Not Indicated

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

N/A

Job Posting End Date:

08/27/2026

*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.