Scientist Job at Merck, UK | Biological Sciences Candidates, Apply Online
If you are an early-career molecular biologist, an analytical laboratory technician, or a biological sciences graduate looking to gain high-value industry experience within a world-class contract testing network, this professional assignment is an exceptional opportunity. Located at our state-of-the-art testing facility in Glasgow, Scotland, this 9-month fixed-term contract (FTC) places you on the frontline of regulated pharmaceutical release testing and genetic analysis. For structured analysts searching for a high-impact Scientist Job, this position offers a direct pathway to mastering routine and custom assays under strict Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) and Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards. It serves as an elite launchpad to kickstart a long-term Merck career and stands out as a premier choice for professionals tracking a competitive Biological Sciences Job with a highly desirable, condensed 4-day working week structure.
- Job Position: Associate Scientist 1 – 9 Month FTC
- Job ID: 301061
- Location: Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
About The Company
Operating as a premier global hub for pharmaceutical safety testing, our Glasgow facility is a vital node within our international Life Science business sector. We specialize in providing comprehensive biopharma characterization, biosafety testing, and regulatory clearance solutions to international biotechnology and pharmaceutical innovators. By delivering precise, reproducible testing across all phases of clinical drug development, the Glasgow Molecular Biology team helps ensure that cutting-edge biological therapies, vaccines, and monoclonal antibodies meet the absolute safety standards mandated by international health authorities. Joining this agile team means immersing yourself in a culture of inclusion and curiosity, where your daily work directly safeguards patient health and elevates human progress.
Scientist Job – Key Responsibilities
The Associate Scientist 1 operates as a focused technical and compliance contributor, executing molecular testing pipelines and maintaining strict data tracking protocols under general supervision.
Your core experimental, calibration, and documentation duties include:
- GLP/GMP Assay Execution: Performing routine and custom molecular biology studies—with a core technical focus on quantitative PCR (qPCR) amplification workflows—in strict compliance with regulatory standards.
- Cold-Chain & Sample Triage: Handling, logging, and processing inbound biological client samples safely, ensuring full traceability within internal database networks.
- Data Logging & LIMS Updates: Maintaining flawless electronic records of all experimental steps, parameters, and raw instrument readouts, utilizing a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS).
- Equipment Calibration & Maintenance: Conducting routine verification, functional testing, and preventative maintenance on precision molecular instrumentation (e.g., thermal cyclers, pipettes, and centrifuges) to advance this Scientist Job.
- Cleanroom & Stock Governance: Maintaining high standards of laboratory housekeeping, cleanroom sanitization, and inventory stock controls to ensure uncompromised, continuous workflows.
- Continuous Process Improvement: Participating actively in internal quality audits, identifying process bottlenecks, and contributing to the optimization of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
Qualifications & Profile Requirements For Scientist Job
We seek a self-motivated, proactive team player who demonstrates strong planning habits, an compromise-free attention to detail, and a clear focus on quality and laboratory safety.
- Required Academic Standards:
- Educational Foundation: Educated to Higher National Diploma (HND) level or above in a relevant biological science discipline to qualify for this Biological Sciences Job.
- Core Preferred Skills & Technical Assets:
- Prior hands-on experience executing qPCR testing, nucleic acid extraction, or gel electrophoresis protocols is considered a major operational advantage to fast-track your Merck career.
- Highly computer literate, with an asset-level advantage if you possess foundational working knowledge or theoretical exposure to LIMS software.
- Foundational theoretical understanding of international regulatory frameworks, specifically GLP and GMP quality compliance guidelines.
- Strong organizational and time management habits, with the demonstrated capability to prioritize your own workload effectively within a fast-paced environment.
- Strong problem-solving abilities, high initiative, and excellent interpersonal communication traits to collaborate smoothly across multi-disciplinary teams.
Logistics, Shift Structures & Corporate Employee Rewards
- Location: Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom (On-Site Laboratory Base).
- Job Identification Reference: Job ID: 301061.
- Employment Status: Full-Time, 9-Month Fixed-Term Contract (FTC).
- Condensed Shift Architecture: Operating on a 4-day working week schedule providing excellent work-life balance, with a rostered requirement to participate in a 1-in-8 weekend rotation.
- Total Employee Rewards: Competitive base compensation scaled to the United Kingdom’s biomedical market, comprehensive pro-rated annual leave entitlements, and access to internal corporate training academies.
- Inclusion Focus: Join a caring, diverse culture that champions varied perspectives and provides equal opportunities for early talent to develop and grow at their own pace.
In short, the Associate Scientist 1 position in Molecular Biology is a definitive route to transitioning your HND or science degree into a highly marketable commercial asset. Securing an appointment here allows you to bypass general data entry roles and take direct, cleanroom charge of the qPCR assays, LIMS databases, and GMP workflows that validate global biopharmaceutical drug releases. If you reside in or can commute to Glasgow, meet the academic criteria, and possess an uncompromising eye for detail, apply today to secure this premier selection in a Scientist Job, launch an exceptional Merck career, and lock in this outstanding choice among regional Biological Sciences Job opportunities.


