Senior Principal Scientist, Protein Engineering

Job Description

Our company's Discovery Biologics is seeking an exceptional Senior Principal Scientist protein engineer, based in South San Francisco, to utilize advanced engineering methods to design biomolecules in our pipeline from lead identification through PCC declaration.  The position requires deep expertise in protein engineering and vast experience in the discovery and development of protein therapeutics, both in silico and wet lab.  This is primarily an individual contributor role with supervisory responsibilities over a small team.  The position reports to the Head of the Protein Engineering Center of Excellence.

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:

• Apply advanced protein engineering methods, including sequence-, structure-, and AI/ML- based, to drive the invention of novel biologic therapeutics

• Serve as a project co-lead on pipeline projects to advance biologics candidates through PCC

• Serve as a scientific mentor and resource for scientific staff across the company's Discovery Biologics network

• Lead direct reports to drive their pipeline impact and personal growth and development

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

• Effectively partner across multidisciplinary interfaces to achieve organizational objectives

• Support partnerships and partnering opportunities with biotech and academia to drive new and existing capability collaborations and evaluations

• Stay abreast of external advancements in the relevant scientific fields

• Promote the external reputation of our company's Discovery Biologics through presentations and publications

Qualifications:

Education:

• Ph.D. (with a minimum of 10 years), Bachelor's or Master's (with a minimum of 15 years) in life sciences and relevant industry experience

Required Experience and Skills:

• Expert-level competency in advanced protein engineering methods in the design of biotherapeutics

• Deep scientific knowledge across workflows and domains integral to the discovery of protein therapeutics, including antibody discovery, protein expression/purification, protein characterization and developability assessment

• Demonstrated track record of utilizing protein engineering methods, including structure- and AI/ML– based to advance biotherapeutics through discovery and into the clinic

• Experience mentoring and developing colleagues through formal and informal means.

• Exceptional communication and collaboration skills

• Has established of a strong external reputation through high-impact publications, presentations, and scientific community engagement

Preferred Experience and Skills:

• Experience in protein therapeutics beyond traditional mAbs including alternative non-Ig scaffolds, bi- or multispecifics, ADCs, TCEs, and fusion proteins

• Hands-on experience in wet lab execution of one or more of the following: protein expression, purification, and/or characterization (developability, biophysics, functional assessment, assay development/execution, structure determination)

• Project leadership experience across Discovery stages, from tool-molecule generation through preclinical development of therapeutic candidates

• Experience in managing external collaborations and participating in diligence activities

• Prior line management experience

NOTICE FOR INTERNAL APPLICANTS

In accordance with Managers' Policy - Job Posting and Employee Placement, all employees subject to this policy are required to have a minimum of twelve (12) months of service in current position prior to applying for open positions.

If you have been offered a separation benefits package, but have not yet reached your separation date and are offered a position within the salary and geographical parameters as set forth in the Summary Plan Description (SPD) of your separation package, then you are no longer eligible for your separation benefits package. To discuss in more detail, please contact your HRBP or Talent Acquisition Advisor.

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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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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

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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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