Merck & Co Hiring for Senior Scientist, Cellular Pharmacology and Lead Discovery job in South San Francisco Full Time

Our Research & Development Division located in South San Francisco is seeking a Senior Scientist with experience in cellular model/assay development, mechanistic pharmacology, and lead discovery support to join our Quantitative Biosciences (Pharmacology) department. The successful candidate will be responsible for the design, execution, and interpretation of mid/high throughput cellular assays and mechanistic experimentation to advance early drug discovery projects. The candidate will work closely with a team of multidisciplinary quantitative scientists and other stakeholders to enable strategies for screening, assays/models, and key studies to advance a diverse portfolio of small molecule and biologic preclinical candidates targeting cardiometabolic diseases, immunology, 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 job duties:

• Provide cellular pharmacology and assay development expertise to support early drug discovery across multiple therapeutic areas (cardiometabolic, immunology, and oncology)
• Develop and execute cellular assays for compound screen and mechanistic characterization of diverse targets and pathways, using a wide range of experimental methodology
• Implement best experimental practices and leverage lab automation to improve assay operation, quality, and overall productivity
• Identify, evaluate, and champion new enabling technologies and methods
• Ensure high-quality data analysis and timely report generation to project teams
• Properly document experimental designs, findings, and assay protocols, and comply with all laboratory training and safety requirements
• Collaborate with colleagues on multi-disciplinary project teams to provide scientific/technical contributions and deliver on project goals

Education:

• Bachelor’s in Pharmacology, Cell Biology or a relevant scientific discipline with ten (10) years of drug discovery experience in a biotech/pharmaceutical setting
• Master’s in Pharmacology, Cell Biology or a relevant scientific discipline with seven (7) years of drug discovery experience in a biotech/pharmaceutical setting

Required Experience and Skills:

• Highly skilled in the development, execution, and interpretation of mid/high throughput cell assays, as well as extensive experience with compound screening and lead discovery support
• Demonstrated proficiency in a wide range of cell biology techniques (mammalian cell culture, transfection/transduction, CRISPR, etc.) and relevant assay detection technologies (ELISA, AlphaLISA, TR-FRET/BRET, etc.)
• Broad knowledge and hands-on experience with automated liquid handling instruments (Biomek, Bravo, Echo, etc.) and integrated robotic systems for assay operation
• Experience with automated data processing, curve fitting, and visualization software tools
• Rigorous quantitative experimentalist with excellent organization and communication skills and a strong growth mindset
• Demonstrated ability to multi-task and work collaboratively in a cross-functional team environment to execute on project goals and advance drug discovery

Preferred Experience and Skills:

• Hands-on experience with high-content imaging methods and automated image analysis
• Hand-on experience with the development and execution of radioligand binding assays
• Familiarity with the development and execution of more complex cellular models, such as those with primary cells or iPSCs, co-culture systems, 3D spheroids & organoids
• Prior experience with multiple therapeutic modalities (small molecule, peptide, antibody, antibody drug conjugate, etc.)

#EligibleforERP-

Employees working in roles that the Company determines require routine collaboration with external stakeholders, such as customer-facing commercial, or research-based roles, will be expected to comply not only with Company policy but also with policies established by such external stakeholders (for example, a requirement to be vaccinated against COVID-19 in order to access a facility or meet with stakeholders). -Please understand that, as permitted by applicable law, if you have not been vaccinated against COVID-19 and an essential function of your job is to call on external stakeholders who require vaccination to enter their premises or engage in face-to-face meetings, then your employment may pose an undue burden to business operations, in which case you may not be offered employment, or your employment could be terminated. Please also note that, where permitted by applicable law, the Company reserves the right to require COVID-19 vaccinations for positions, such as in Global Employee Health, where the Company determines in its discretion that the nature of the role presents an increased risk of disease transmission.

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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:

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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, generally Tuesday, Wednesday and either Monday or 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”.

Under New York State, Colorado State, Washington State, and California State law, the Company is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the salary range for this job. 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 salary range:
$120,800.00 – $190,200.00

Available benefits include bonus eligibility, health care and other insurance benefits (for employee and family), retirement benefits, paid holidays, vacation, and sick days. – For Washington State Jobs, a summary of benefits is listed here .

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:
No

Travel Requirements:
No Travel Required

Flexible Work Arrangements:
On-Site

Shift:
1st – Day

Valid Driving License:
No

Hazardous Material(s):
Yes

Requisition ID:R273454