Senior Scientist, Cell Sciences Assays (Discovery Biologics)

Job Description

Our Company is a global health care leader with a diversified portfolio of prescription medicines, vaccines, and animal health products. The difference between potential and achievement lies in the spark that fuels innovation and inventiveness; this is the space where our company has codified its legacy for over a century. our company's success is backed by ethical integrity, forward momentum, and an inspiring mission to achieve new milestones in global healthcare. We are on a quest for cures and are committed to be the world’s premier, most research-intensive biopharmaceutical company. Today, we’re doubling down on this goal to take our company's leading discovery capabilities and world-class small molecule and biologics R&D expertise to create breakthrough science that radically changes the way we approach serious diseases.

The Discovery Biologics Department is seeking a Senior Scientist to join the Cell Sciences team that leverages cell engineering and innovative bioassays to drive design and progression of biotherapeutics. Understanding cellular trafficking of large molecules is integral to Discovery Biologics and enables antibody discovery, functional characterization, and development of pipeline molecules. The Senior Scientist (R3) will be instrumental in monitoring the fate of various biologics modalities by assessing kinetics of internalization, recycling, endosomal escape, and functional activity to drive progression of our Discovery Biologics pipeline.

The successful candidate will possess a broad and strong technical background in cell biology, molecular biology, a range of cell-based assays as well as expertise in high content imaging technologies. This role will be based in South San Francisco and will work collaboratively with scientists and teams across our various our company's research sites.

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:

• Antibody mediated receptor internalization and endocytosis

• Familiarity with FcRn dependent cell-based recycling assays 

• Design, develop and execute bioassay methods that mimic the mechanism of action for biologic therapies

• Assess and evaluate new technologies, suitable for bioassay development to enable mechanism of action studies and analytical characterization of molecular concepts

• Explore next-generation reporters, proximity assays, and expression cassettes

• Author associated method development reports, test procedures, and relevant method transfer documents

• Contribute to and lead the authoring of patents and external publications

• Present research findings at group meetings, project meetings, and at external meetings

• Actively develop talent, strategically maximize diversity to complement and strengthen our team

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

Qualifications:

Education:

• Bachelor's (with 7+ years), Master’s (with 4+ years) or Ph.D. in life sciences and relevant experience listed below 

Required Experience and Skills:

• Cell culture experience with a variety of human cell types including lymphoid & myeloid derived cell lines

• Experience working with engineered cell lines to enable functional assays and mechanism of action studies

• Expertise with FACS-based methods for characterizing cell surface expression

• Proficient in monitoring antibody and receptor internalization with techniques like, imaging, Incucyte and FabZap

• Experience in screening biologics using assays for cell killing, cell signaling, proliferation or reporter gene assays

• Team player who can successfully work in cross-functional teams

• Detail-oriented, highly organized, and able to multi-task with multiple projects

• Strong oral and written communication skills

Preferred Experience and Skills:

• Experience around Fc effector function and related assays

• Knowledge of cell fractionation and organelle isolation for targeted protein degradation assays

• Relevant experience with the development of biotherapeutics and general interest in functional characterization of large molecules

• An innovator who proactively seeks opportunities to share their knowledge and enthusiasm

• Worked with multiple vendors and contract research organizations to build on internal capabilities via outsourcing

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.

#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:

EEOC Know Your Rights

EEOC GINA Supplement​

Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination

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.

Learn more about your rights, including under California, Colorado and other US State Acts

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. 

Employee Status:

Relocation:

VISA Sponsorship:

Travel Requirements:

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Shift:

Valid Driving License:

Hazardous Material(s):

Job Posting End Date:

*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.