Job Description

Our Company's Research Laboratories in South San Francisco is seeking a lab based Senior Scientist with experience in biochemical/biophysical assays and lead discovery support to join our Quantitative Biosciences (Pharmacology) department. The successful candidate will be responsible for the design, execution, and interpretation of binding and functional assays as well as mechanistic experimentation to advance early drug discovery projects across various modalities. The candidate will work closely with a team of multidisciplinary scientists to enable strategies for assay development, screening, and mechanism of action studies to advance a diverse portfolio of therapies for cardiometabolic disorders and oncology. We value transparent communication, creative thinking, teamwork, and rigorous scientific exploration. If you are a highly motivated individual and team player with a strong desire to impact drug discovery across multiple therapeutic areas, we invite you to consider joining our team.

Key responsibilities:

• Develop and execute radioligand binding assays to characterize biomolecular interactions (equilibrium and kinetic) for lead discovery and optimization

• Support a wide range of biochemical and biophysical assays for screening and mechanistic studies using diverse experimental methodologies

• Ensure high-quality data generation, analysis, and timely report to project teams

• Leverage lab automation to improve assay operation, quality, and overall productivity

• Properly document experimental design, findings, and assay protocols; comply with all laboratory training and safety requirements

• Collaborate with colleagues within Quantitative Biosciences and on multi-disciplinary project teams to provide scientific/technical contributions and deliver on project goals

• Drive scientific and technical innovations to develop and enhance functional capabilities

Education:

• Bachelor's (with 7+ years), Master's (with 4+ years) or Ph.D. in Biochemistry, Biophysics or a related field with relevant experience in drug discovery

Required Experience and Skills:

• Prior experience developing equilibrium and kinetic radioligand binding assays (e.g. 125I, 3H, 35S, 14C) in relevant formats

• Demonstrated proficiency in a wide range of biochemical and biophysical assay methods and techniques (e.g. enzymatic and thermal shift assays using various detection technologies, SPR and other biosensors, mass spectrometry, etc.)

• Hands-on experience with liquid handling instruments (Apricot, Dragonfly, Bravo, Echo, etc.) for assay operation, as well as data processing and visualization software tools

• Strong work ethic and commitment to lab-based experimentation, as well as proven ability to independently design/execute experimental tasks and deliver results under tight timelines

• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills with a track-record of working effectively with diverse stakeholders in a cross-functional matrix team environment

Preferred Experience and Skills:

• Protein biochemistry expertise (gene cloning, transfection, expression & purification)

• Tissue culture skills including cell plating, harvesting, and membrane preparation

• Working knowledge of G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) pharmacology

• Prior experience as functional area representative in matrixed drug discovery project teams

• Prior experience with multiple therapeutic modalities (small molecule, peptide, antibody, antibody drug conjugate, etc.)

#EligibleforERP

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.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability status, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. For more information about personal rights under the U.S. Equal Opportunity Employment laws, visit:

EEOC Know Your Rights

EEOC GINA Supplement​

Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination

We are proud to be a company that embraces the value of bringing diverse, talented, and committed people together. The fastest way to breakthrough innovation is when diverse ideas 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

U.S. Hybrid Work Model

Effective September 5, 2023, employees in office-based positions in the U.S. will be working a Hybrid work consisting of three total days on-site per week, Monday - Thursday, although the specific days may vary by site or organization, with Friday designated as a remote-working day, unless business critical tasks require an on-site presence.This Hybrid work model does not apply to, and daily in-person attendance is required for, field-based positions; facility-based, manufacturing-based, or research-based positions where the work to be performed is located at a Company site; positions covered by a collective-bargaining agreement (unless the agreement provides for hybrid work); or any other position for which the Company has determined the job requirements cannot be reasonably met working remotely. Please note, this Hybrid work model guidance also does not apply to roles that have been designated as “remote”.

The Company is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the salary range for this job in certain states and cities within the United States. Final determinations with respect to salary will take into account a number of factors, which may include, but not be limited to the primary work location and the chosen candidate’s relevant skills, experience, and education.

Expected US salary range:

$125,000.00 - $196,800.00

Available benefits include bonus eligibility, long term incentive if applicable, health care and other insurance benefits (for employee and family), retirement benefits, paid holidays, vacation, and sick days. A summary of benefits is listed here.

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/International

VISA Sponsorship:

Yes

Travel Requirements:

10%

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Not Applicable

Shift:

1st - Day

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

Yes

Job Posting End Date:

01/31/2025

*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.

Requisition ID:R325350