Principal Scientist, Protein Engineering
USA - California - South San Francisco (Grand Ave), United States
Job Description
We are seeking an innovative and experienced scientist to join the Discovery Biologics Protein Engineering department in South San Francisco to lead both functional area scientists and drug discovery programs. The Principal Scientist, Protein Engineering role carries managerial and oversight responsibilities and will be a key interface with multiple cross-site groups within the Discovery Biologics department as well as project teams and therapy areas.
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.
What you will do:
Use advanced antibody and protein engineering methods, including humanization, affinity/activity/developability optimization, Fc engineering, bispecific/multi-specific formats to invent novel biotherapeutics
Lead a lab-based team to establish and streamline the engineering and optimization of protein therapeutics in cross functional settings using phage/yeast library designs, high-throughput mutagenesis workflow and in silico tools
Work closely with AI/ML and computational teams to integrate augmented designs and computational approaches toward accelerated derisking and optimization of biologics for best-in-class and first-in-class therapeutics
Lead and participate in cross-functional biologics programs from discovery to IND, integrating early research, progression through candidate nomination and selection, with deep experience of drug design and target candidate profiles
Foster a high-performance culture of collaboration, engagement, self-accountability, and inclusion
Qualifications:
Education:
Bachelor's (with 14+ years), Master's (with 12+ years) or Ph.D. (with 8+ years) and relevant industry experience listed below
Required Experience and Skills:
Demonstrated deep experience in advancing protein therapeutics from discovery to development
In-depth and current knowledge of antibody and protein therapeutics, with proven skills in antibody and protein optimization/engineering approaches that leverage highly efficient mutagenesis screening and selection methods
Protein engineering utilizing in silico and structure-based methods
Strong technical knowledge of multiple aspects of biologics production including protein engineering, expression, purification, and characterization
Project leadership experience across discovery stages, from hit identification through preclinical development of therapeutic candidates
Prior direct people management, including demonstrated mentorship and a track record of talent development
Track record of driving scientific or platform innovations
Recognized team player with strong collaboration skills and openness
Has established of a strong external reputation through high-impact publications, presentations, and scientific community engagement
Excellent verbal and written communication and collaboration abilities
Preferred Experience and Skills:
Deep understanding of applying state-of-art augmented design approaches using structure-based and AI/ML-guided engineering
Experience advancing protein therapeutics beyond traditional mAbs including VHHs, multi-specifics, fusion proteins, and ADCs
Experience in outsourcing and managing external collaborations
Your role at our company is integral to helping the world meet new breakthroughs that affect generations to come, and we’re counting on your skills and inventiveness to help make meaningful contributions to global medical advancement. At our company, we’re inventing for life.
#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:
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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:
$172,700.00 - $271,900.00Available 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:
RegularRelocation:
Domestic/InternationalVISA Sponsorship:
YesTravel Requirements:
10%Flexible Work Arrangements:
Not ApplicableShift:
1st - DayValid Driving License:
NoHazardous Material(s):
NoJob Posting End Date:
04/27/2025*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.
ApplyJob Profile
Hybrid Hybrid work Hybrid work model On-site Puerto Rico residents only US and Puerto Rico residents only
Benefits/PerksBonus eligibility Career development opportunities Collaboration Diverse workplace Equal opportunity Equal opportunity employer Flexible work Flexible work arrangements Health Care High performance culture Hybrid work Hybrid work model Inclusion Inclusive environment Insurance Mentorship Paid holidays Retirement benefits Sick Days Vacation
Tasks- Collaboration
- Communication
- Compliance
- Foster collaboration and inclusion
- Innovation
- Integrate AI/ML approaches
- Leadership
- Lead protein engineering team
- Manage drug discovery programs
- Mentorship
- Optimize protein therapeutics
- Project leadership
- Talent Development
Accountability Activity optimization ADCs Affinity optimization AI AI/ML Antibody optimization Biologics Biologics production Biotherapeutics Bispecific formats Characterization Collaboration Communication Community Engagement Compliance Computational Design Developability optimization Development Diversity Drug design Drug Discovery Education Engineering Expression Fc engineering Fusion proteins High-throughput mutagenesis Inclusion Inclusive behaviors IND Innovation In silico tools Leadership MAbs Management Manufacturing Medical Mentorship ML Multi-specific formats Optimization Organization Outsourcing People Management Phage library design Production Project leadership Protein characterization Protein Engineering Protein expression Protein purification Publications Purification Research Talent Development Teams Technical Technical knowledge Therapeutics Written communication Yeast library design
Experience14 years
EducationAS Bachelor Bachelor's Business Development DO Engineering Health Care Management Master Master's Ph.D.
TimezonesAmerica/Anchorage America/Chicago America/Denver America/Los_Angeles America/New_York Pacific/Honolulu UTC-10 UTC-5 UTC-6 UTC-7 UTC-8 UTC-9