Principal Scientist, Discovery Biologics

Job DescriptionOur company is a global health care leader with a diversified portfolio of prescription medicines, vaccines and animal health products. Our teams combine leading drug discovery capabilities and world-class R&D with the purpose of turning breakthrough science into life-changing medicines.Our Research and Development Division in San Diego is a cross-functional team (Discovery Biologics, Immunology, and Data Science) with the goal to discover and develop novel, innovative therapeutics in the field of Inflammation and Immunology.The Discovery Biologics Department is seeking an exceptional and experienced scientist candidate to drive biologics discovery and development. The role is a key interface with Immunology and other drug discovery and development scientists and functions across our companyas well as with external academic and industrial partners. The successful candidate will lead projects from discovery to start of IND-enabling studies, with focus on antibodies, bispecific molecules, and evaluation of novel biologic platforms and mechanisms of action.We recognize that diversity of thought and experiences in our team are our strengths and we are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Successful candidates must demonstrate inclusive behaviors in collaboration with colleagues to drive our core mission.Key Responsibilities:

• Strategic project leadership in Immunology Biologics, partnering cross-functionally with teams in discovery, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, toxicology, CMC, translational sciences and translational medicine.
• Design, execute and analyze new cellular and molecular assays to support mechanism-of-action studies for therapeutic candidate progression.
• Hands-on development of experiments related to antibody kinetics, binding characterization, epitope binning, and structure-function studies.
• Lead and mentor a small team of scientists.
• Drive innovation by contributing to exploratory programs and technology development.
• Foster a high-performance culture of collaboration, engagement, self-accountability and inclusion.
• Effectively partner across multidisciplinary interfaces to achieve organizational objectives.
• Stay abreast of external advancements in the relevant scientific fields.
• Promote the external reputation of the Discovery Biologics Department by contributing to publications and conference presentations.

Qualifications:Education:Ph.D. in a life science discipline or a related field and 10 years of relevant industry experience.Required Experience and Skills:

• Prior experience in leadership and managerial roles advancing protein therapeutics through discovery and early development.
• Deep scientific knowledge across workflows and domains integral to the discovery and development of protein therapeutics.
• Clear evidence of advancing a biotherapeutic programs into the clinic and driving scientific or platform innovations.
• Hands-on expertise in techniques for analysis of protein-protein interactions.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated passion for, and a track record of talent development.
• Champion for a diverse and inclusive culture.
• Strong external reputation through high-impact publications, presentations, and scientific community engagement.

Preferred Experience and Skills:

• Experienced in protein therapeutics beyond traditional mAbs including alternative non-Ig scaffolds, bi- or multispecifics, and fusion proteins.
• Lab-based experience in cellular and molecular assays to evaluate structure-function and mechanism-of-action of therapeutic antibodies.
• Experience in outsourcing and managing external collaborations.

#EligibleforERPCurrent Employees applyCurrent Contingent Workers applyUS 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 if you need an accommodation during the application or hiring process.As an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, we provide equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. As a federal contractor, we comply with all affirmative action requirements for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. For more information about personal rights under the U.S. Equal Opportunity Employment laws, visit:We are proud to be a company that embraces the value of bringing together, talented, and committed people with diverse experiences, perspectives, skills and backgrounds. The fastest way to breakthrough innovation is when people with diverse ideas, broad experiences, backgrounds, and skills come together in an inclusive environment. We encourage our colleagues to respectfully challenge one another’s thinking and approach problems collectively.U.S. Hybrid Work ModelEffective 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 salary range for this role is $153,800.00 - $242,200.00This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. An employee’s position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, geographic location, government requirements, and business or organizational needs.The successful candidate will be eligible for annual bonus and long-term incentive, if applicable.We offer a comprehensive package of benefits. Available benefits include medical, dental, vision healthcare and other insurance benefits (for employee and family), retirement benefits, including 401(k), paid holidays, vacation, and compassionate and sick days. More information about benefits is available at .You can apply for this role through (or via the Workday Jobs Hub if you are a current employee). The application deadline for this position is stated on this posting.San Francisco Residents Only: We will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records for employment in compliance with the San Francisco Fair Chance OrdinanceLos 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 OrdinanceSearch 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: RegularRelocation: Domestic/InternationalVISA Sponsorship: YesTravel Requirements: 10%Flexible Work Arrangements: Not ApplicableShift: 1st - DayValid Driving License: NoHazardous Material(s): NoRequired Skills: Antibody Drug Conjugates (ADC), Biologics, Communication, Immunology, People Management, Project LeadershipPreferred Skills:Job Posting End Date: 07/3/2025*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.
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