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Job Information

Merck Principal Scientist, Protein Sciences in San Diego, California

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.

Our Research and Development Division San Diego is a new research site through the acquisition of Prometheus Biosciences in 2023. The The goal of our cross-functional San Diego team is cross-functional (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, protein production, purification, engineering, and characterization. The role is a key interface with Immunology and other drug discovery and development scientists and functions within across our company as 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.

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

  • Serve as Discovery Biologics representative / co-lead to advance programs from early discovery to start of IND-enabling studies.

  • Manage the production and purification of antibodies in mammalian cell lines including transient HEK, CHO and other methods as needed.

  • Lead a small team that supports drug discovery programs through design, engineering, and characterization of biologics, including antibodies and bispecific molecules.

  • Train and develop junior 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 our company's Discovery Biologics by contributing to publications and conference presentations.

Required education & experience:

  • PhD inImmunology, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Cellular Biology or related field and minimum of 7 years of industry experience, or a M.S. and a minimum of 10+ years industry experience, or a BS with 14+ years of industry experience.

Required skills & experience:

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

  • Clear evidence of advancing a biotherapeutic programs into the clinic and driving scientific or platform innovations.

  • Demonstrated passion for, and a track record of talent development.

  • Champion for diverse and inclusive culture.

  • Strong external reputation through high-impact publications, presentations, and scientific community engagement.

  • Prior experience in leadership and direct/indirect management roles advancing protein therapeutics through discovery and early development.

Preferred skills

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

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

  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills

  • Fluency with techniques for analysis of protein-protein interactions.

  • Knowledge of computational approaches for protein engineering.

  • Experience with incorporating high throughput methods into a workflow is a plus.

  • Experience in outsourcing and managing external collaborations.

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

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.

Current Employees apply HERE (https://wd5.myworkday.com/msd/d/task/1422$6687.htmld)

Current Contingent Workers apply HERE (https://wd5.myworkday.com/msd/d/task/1422$4020.htmld)

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 (https://survey.sogosurvey.com/r/aCdfqL) 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 (https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2022-10/22-088_EEOC_KnowYourRights_10_20.pdf)

EEOC GINA Supplement​

Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination (https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/OFCCP/pdf/pay-transp_%20English_formattedESQA508c.pdf)

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 (https://www.msdprivacy.com/us/en/CCPA-notice/)

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”.

Under New York State, Colorado State, Washington State, and California State law, the Company is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the salary range for this job. 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 salary range:

$149,400.00 - $235,100.00

Available benefits include bonus eligibility, health care and other insurance benefits (for employee and family), retirement benefits, paid holidays, vacation, and sick days. For Washington State Jobs, a summary of benefits is listed here (https://www.benefitsatmerck.com/) .

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:

Regular

Relocation:

Domestic

VISA Sponsorship:

Yes

Travel Requirements:

10%

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Not Applicable

Shift:

Not Indicated

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

Standard lab chemicals

Job Posting End Date: 05/20/2024

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.

Requisition ID: R292716

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