Job Description

We are on a quest for cures and are committed to be the world's premier, most research-intensive biopharmaceutical company. Our teams combine leading drug discovery capabilities and world-class R&D with the purpose of turning breakthrough science into life-changing medicines.

The Screening & Compound Profiling Group is seeking a highly motivated Associate Principal Scientist with a strong background in biochemical and cell-based assays and participation on cross-functional teams to drive drug discovery the development of physiological relevant cellular assays to join our Quantitative Biosciences Department at our Research Laboratories in Rahway, NJ. The primary responsibilities of the successful candidate will be to develop CRISPR cell lines to support our early pipeline and develop novel in vitro translational pharmacology assays to support screening small molecules and peptides for oncology, neuroscience and cardiovascular disease areas. The ideal candidate will have experience with a variety of cell-based assays with an emphasis on complex cellular models such as iPSC, 3D, co-culture and primary cells. Knowledge and understanding of miniaturized assays (384w/ 1536w) and downstream detectors ranging from standard luminescence-/fluorescence-based readouts to imaging and cell-microarray based platforms is desired. Using innovative thinking, state-of-the-art facilities, and robust scientific methodology we collaborate to discover the next medical breakthrough.

The Screening & Compound Profiling group at our company's Research Laboratories site in Rahway, NJ is looking for a highly motivated, talented and innovative Associate Principal Scientist with experience a strong background in biochemical and cell-based assays and participation on cross-functional teams to drive drug discovery programs across multiple therapeutic areas. Successful individuals will use cutting-edge technologies to access unparalleled synthetically accessible chemical diversity. Scientists will be immersed in a multi-disciplinary environment (collaborating with Discovery Chemistry, Computational Structural Chemistry, Quantitative Biosciences and project team colleagues) charged with progressing hits using detailed biochemical and cellular mechanistic profiling paired with state-of-the-art informatics and high-throughput experimentation. Output from such work will enable drug discovery programs across oncology, immunology, neuroscience, cardiometabolic and infectious disease.

We recognize that the diversity in our team is our strength and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Successful candidates must demonstrate inclusive behaviors in working with a diverse group of scientists to drive our core mission.

Key Responsibilities:

• Design, plan and execute robust scientific research activities utilizing biochemical & cell-based assays 'at-scale' to accelerate lead discovery.

• Represent Screening & Compound Profiling on cross-functional project teams influencing strategic direction with data/progress updates & insight.

• Contribute to a high-performance culture of inclusion, collaboration, engagement and self-accountability.

• Promote the external reputation of our department by contributing to publications and participating in external symposia.

Education:

• Post-graduate degree in Cell Biology, Biochemistry, Pharmacology or equivalent, including years of relevant in vitro assay and industry cross-functional team experience as appropriate: Ph.D. (4+ years), M.Sc. (7+ years) or B.Sc. (10+ years).

Required Skills & Experience:

• Guidance of scientific operations, strategy, and communication with a track record of collaboration on multidisciplinary teams in one or more therapeutic area(s).

• Interaction with therapeutic areas and chemistry across high-throughput screening, hit-to-lead and/or lead optimization discovery space.

• Extensive development of assays for soluble (e.g. kinases, phosphatases) and membrane (e.g. GPCR's, ion channels, transporters) proteins.

• Demonstrated ability to work under tight timelines and independently execute experimental tasks.

• Passion for fostering a diverse and inclusive culture and contributing to the growth and success of colleagues.

• Strong external reputation as evidenced through publications, presentations, and/or scientific community engagement.

• Excellent verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills with a proven track-record of maintaining strong relationships with stakeholders.

Preferred Skills and Experience:

• Application of laboratory automation to biochemical and cell-based assay systems in both walk-up and integrated platform scenarios.

• Collaboration to identify, evaluate, and recommend novel and cutting-edge assay development strategies to drive programs in areas including, but not limited to, high throughput-complex cell models, mass spectrometry-based biochemical assays and ML/AI.

• Collaboration with project teams to develop innovative approaches to phenotypic screening for small molecule & functional genomic discovery efforts.

• Interaction with affinity-based screening teams/technologies (DEL, AS/MS, mRNA-Display) and adjacent functions (protein generation, biophysics).

• Experience with a variety of cell-based assays with an emphasis on complex cellular models such as iPSC, 3D, co-culture and primary cells.

• Miniaturization of biochemical and/or cell-based assays (384w/ 1536w) using liquid handlers and detectors to support small molecule and peptide screening & profiling.

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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:

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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.

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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, 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:

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.

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Requisition ID:R322004