Posted: Jul 17, 2025
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EHS Specialist (Biosafety Specialist)

Merck & Co., Inc. - Philadelphia, PA
Full-time
Application Deadline: Jul 30, 2025
Pharmaceutical

Job Description

Our Environmental, Health & Safety (EHS) team is passionate about bringing our medicines and vaccines to our customers around the world, while maintaining worker health and safety as our number one priority. 

The Biosafety Specialist provides technical and regulatory support and as a member of the Global Safety & Environment (GSE) team supporting West Point, North Wales, and Springhouse Innovation Park sites. The Biosafety Specialist supports implementation of all necessary measures and initiatives required by federal, state, and local safety & environmental regulations. This role contributes to continuous improvement and successful implementation of environmental, health and safety programs related to biosafety and biorisk.

Position Description:

With management direction, responsible for providing compliant environmental, health, and safety (EHS) programs to departments at the West Point site. Integrates EHS programs into daily operations to assure regulatory compliance, achieves continuous performance improvement, meeting EHS performance objectives. Partners with operations to develop objectives to achieve these goals in alignment with site business goals and values.

  • Assist and support the site Biosafety Officer in maintaining biosafety compliance for research and manufacturing divisions in accordance with regulatory agencies.

  • Reviews processes, facilities, procedures to assure conformance to recognized biosafety regulations, internal standards, and industry guidelines.

  • Provide technical consultation on the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogen Standard and provide bloodborne pathogen training.

  • Assess risk of occupational exposure and infection associated with handling biological agents by reviewing, amending, and approving biological risk assessments.

  • Develop and deliver agent-specific training on exposure control strategies for multiple biological agents.

  • Support investigations of biohazard related injuries and illnesses.

  • Provide input to biohazard emergency response plans and pandemic planning & preparedness.

  • Provide advice on the choice of appropriate inactivation methods for biological agents and materials.

  • Manage Select Agent Toxin Program (below threshold).

Required:

  • Bachelor’s Degree required in Environment, Health, & Safety or science-related degree.

  • 3 - 8 years applied professional work experience. Proficiency in critical thinking, analytical thinking, communication skills, and problem solving. Awareness of project management techniques.

  • Awareness level of proficiency in the areas of biosafety, environmental compliance, and occupational safety.

  • Ability to navigate Microsoft 365 tools, SAP Success Factor Software, and other job-specific software once trained.

Preferred:

  • Bachelor’s degree in biological sciences or related field with molecular biology, virology, and/or microbiology.

  • 2 years of progressive EHS experience in pharmaceutical, bio-pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or related industry.

  • Strong molecular biology background, including experience with gene expression systems, construct design and gene silencing technology.