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Scientist Cell Culture Process Development information

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How much do scientist cell culture process development jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 18, 2026, the average hourly pay for scientist cell culture process development in the United States is $38.66, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $28.37 and $46.15 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a scientist in cell culture process development do?

A Scientist in Cell Culture Process Development is responsible for designing, optimizing, and scaling up processes to grow cells in laboratory settings, primarily for the production of biologics such as therapeutic proteins, vaccines, or cell-based therapies. They work to improve cell growth conditions, monitor cell health, and develop protocols that can be transferred from the lab to manufacturing scale. Their work is critical to ensuring products are produced efficiently, safely, and with high quality for clinical or commercial use.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a scientist in cell culture process development?

To thrive as a Scientist in Cell Culture Process Development, you need a solid background in cell biology, bioprocess engineering, and hands-on experience with mammalian cell culture, typically supported by an advanced degree in a life science discipline. Familiarity with bioreactor systems, analytical assays, and software for data analysis such as JMP or Prism is often required, along with knowledge of regulatory guidelines. Strong problem-solving skills, meticulous attention to detail, and effective teamwork are standout soft skills for this role. These competencies are crucial for optimizing cell culture processes, ensuring experimental reproducibility, and supporting the development of safe and effective biopharmaceutical products.

What are some common challenges faced by scientists in cell culture process development, and how are they typically addressed?

Scientists in cell culture process development often encounter challenges such as maintaining cell line stability, optimizing growth conditions, and ensuring consistent product yield and quality. These challenges are typically addressed by rigorous experimental design, close monitoring of critical process parameters, and leveraging automation for reproducibility. Collaboration with analytical, quality assurance, and upstream/downstream teams is common to troubleshoot issues and refine processes. Staying updated with the latest bioprocessing technologies and regulatory guidelines also helps in overcoming these hurdles.

What is the difference between Scientist Cell Culture Process Development vs Scientist Bioprocess Development?

AspectScientist Cell Culture Process DevelopmentScientist Bioprocess Development
CredentialsBachelor's/Master's in Life Sciences, Biotechnology, or related fieldsBachelor's/Master's in Chemical/Biological Engineering, Life Sciences
Work EnvironmentLaboratories focused on cell culture, bioreactors, and media optimizationBioprocessing facilities, pilot plants, and manufacturing environments
Industry UsagePrimarily in biotech and pharmaceutical companies developing cell-based therapiesIn biotech, pharma, and contract manufacturing organizations

Scientist Cell Culture Process Development focuses on optimizing and developing cell culture methods, media, and conditions for producing biological products. In contrast, Scientist Bioprocess Development encompasses a broader scope, including scaling up processes, bioreactor design, and process validation. Both roles require similar educational backgrounds but differ in their specific focus areas within biomanufacturing.

More about Scientist Cell Culture Process Development jobs
Infographic showing various Scientist Cell Culture Process Development job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 83% Full Time, 14% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 90% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $80,420 per year, or $38.7 per hour.

Principal Scientist, Upstream Development

MSD

Rahway, NJ โ€ข On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 13 days ago


Job description

Job Description

USA - New Jersey - Rahway

Job Description

The Biologics Process Research & Development organization within our Company Research Labs is responsible for developing the drug substance manufacturing processes for our Company's biologics pipeline. We work closely with colleagues in Discovery, Pre-clinical and Early Development to rapidly develop manufacturing processes for biotherapeutics and efficiently manufacture material to supply clinical trials. We are also responsible for commercial process development and development and implementation of new manufacturing technologies. We work with our partners in our Company Manufacturing Division to commercialize and launch new products.

We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced individual to join our Upstream Development Department as a Principal Scientist. In this role, the successful candidate will work closely with scientists in the Upstream Development Department to develop and refine technical strategy related to next generation processing for assets in early- and late-stage clinical development. Applicants must have effective organizational and multi-tasking skills, demonstrated excellent scientific leadership, and superior written and oral communications abilities. A track record of leveraging data science and digital tools for delivering impactful solutions to complex problems are distinguishing. Evidence of strong cross-functional collaboration, experience successfully mentoring junior scientist, leading projects, and strong external presence through scientific excellence are expected.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

The successful candidate will contribute to CMC development of our Company's pipeline, playing an active role in development of cell culture processes and transfer to clinical and commercial manufacturing sites. She/He will also develop strategies for process and pipeline-facing innovation.

Responsibilities include:

  • Leading biologic upstream process development for first-in-human and commercial processes by efficiently developing high yield, robust and scalable cell culture processes.

  • Providing technical direction for process development, characterization, commercialization, and regulatory filing activities to ensure a smooth and clear path to successful PPQs an BLAs for our company pipeline.

  • Advancing upstream platform process technical strategy and championing creative process improvement initiatives

  • Initiating new collaborations to assess new technologies and industry strategies with relevance to our Company.

  • Collaborating with academia, industry partners, and vendors to drive development, innovation and adoption of new process technologies with broad impact to projects or platform.

  • Keeping up to date with the external patent and literature environment; actively presents and publishes externally and pursues patenting strategies.

  • Supervising, coaching and educating junior scientists

Minimum education required:

Ph.D. with 8+ years of industry experience, Master with 10+ years industry experience, bachelor's with 14+ years industry in Chemical Engineering, Bioengineering, Biochemistry or a related field

Required experience and skills:

  • Proven record of accomplishments in upstream process and technology development with a strong scientific publication and presentation track record.

  • Experience in CHO fed-batch cell culture and a working understanding of downstream & analytics.

  • Understanding and hands-on experience on cell culture bioreactors including microbioreactors, bench-scale and pilot-scale bioreactors, and scaleup/tech transfer activities.

  • Working knowledge of cell culture media, CHO cell biology and metabolism, DOE statistics and computational fluid dynamics.

  • Ability to direct the planning, execution, analysis, and documentation of all stages of cell culture process development.

  • Ability to work in a matrixed team environment and collaborate with both internal and external partners including vendors.

  • Knowledge of biologics CMC development cycle.

  • Demonstrated ability for taking initiative, creativity, and innovation in problem solving.

  • Demonstrated ability to develop staff to maximize utilization of talent and actively guides career development; builds strong and collaborative teams.

Preferred experience and skills:

  • Experience with state-of-the-art cell culture processes including intensified inoculum and perfusion process development.

  • Experience with early- and late-stage commercial process development, technology transfer, scale-down model qualification and process characterization.

  • Experience with high throughput microbioreactor systems, and advanced in situ analytics for process monitoring and control.

  • Expertise in media development, media/solution chemistry.

  • Background in data science approaches related to cell culture and predictive modeling e.g., metabolic flux analysis (MFA), omics, machine learning; experience integrating PAT efforts) and computational fluid dynamics (CFD).

  • Experience leading cross functional, program development teams.

Required Skills:

Adaptability, Adaptability, Biodesign, Cell Culture Process Development, Cell Cultures, Cell Line Development, Chemical Engineering, Clinical Supplies Management, Clinical Trials, Combination Products, Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), Data Analysis, Finite Element Analysis (FEA), Flux Analysis, Immunochemistry, Innovative Thinking, Leadership Mentoring, Mammalian Cell Culture, Manufacturing Processes, Media Development, Pharmaceutical Process Development, Professional Collaboration, Professional Networking, Quality by Design, Regulatory Filings {+ 1 more}

Preferred Skills:

Current Employees apply HERE

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:

EEOC Know Your Rights

EEOC GINA Supplement

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

$173,200.00 - $272,600.00

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:

Domestic

VISA Sponsorship:

Yes

Travel Requirements:

10%

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Not Applicable

Shift:

Not Indicated

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

n/a

Job Posting End Date:

10/1/2026

*A job posting is effective until 11:59:59PM on the day BEFOREthe listed job posting end date. Please ensure you apply to a job posting no later than the day BEFORE the job posting end date.