Principal Scientist - Biophysics

Job Description

We are seeking a highly motivated Principal Scientist to join our collaborative Biophysics group within the Mass Spectrometry & Biophysics department in Quantitative Biosciences. The Biophysics group is part of a multi-disciplinary team focused on enabling lead identification to advance our drug discovery pipeline across diverse therapeutic areas. We work in a dynamic, discovery research environment and utilize state-of-the-art biophysical techniques to identify novel ligands from multiple modalities such as fragments, small molecules, peptides, and therapeutic proteins.

We recognize that the diversity of 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, develop and execute biophysical assays supporting all stages of drug discovery with an emphasis on screening, hit validation & hit-to-lead activities.

• Serve as a representative for our department on cross-functional program teams, with accountability for providing an integrated biophysical characterization of screening hits, tool molecules and early leads spanning a range of therapeutic modalities (small molecules, peptides and proteins).

• Contribute to the training, growth and development of scientists within the team, including through a personal lab presence and management of 1-3 direct reports.

• Stay abreast of advancements in the field & drive innovation through technology development, external collaboration & long-range capability planning.

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

• Promote the external reputation of our department through publications and participating in external symposia (co-organizing, chairing & presenting).

Education:

• Post-graduate degree in Biophysics, Biochemistry, Pharmacology or another related field with 7+ years of relevant industry experience: Ph.D. (7+ years), M.Sc. (10+ years) or B.Sc. (15+ years).

Required Skills & Experience:

• Broad, in-depth knowledge of biophysical techniques integral to drug discovery such as SPR, ITC, MST, spectroscopy and thermal shift assays.

• Demonstrated expertise in the determination of binding kinetics and thermodynamics and their impact on drug action.

• Track record of success advancing hits from screening campaigns into lead optimization and beyond.

• Track record of success as a high-performing member of cross-functional, drug discovery teams.

• Experience performing technology evaluations & making recommendations on investments designed to maintain a leadership position in the field.

• Demonstrated passion for talent development and for championing a diverse and inclusive culture.

• Strong external reputation as evidenced through high-impact publications, presentations, and 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:

• Expertise in biochemistry, enzymology and/or protein production (cloning, expression & purification) is advantageous.

• Prior experience with affinity-based screening approaches (FBLD, mRNA-display, DNA encoded libraries, affinity-selection mass spectrometry) is beneficial.

• Experience in outsourcing and managing external collaborations (including CROs) is advantageous.

• Prior experience in leadership and direct/indirect management roles in an early drug discovery setting is desirable.

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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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, 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”.

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.

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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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