Associate Principal Scientist, Screening & Compound Profiling

Job Description

Job Description:

The Screening & Compound Profiling group at our Research Laboratories site in Rahway, NJ is looking for a highly motivated, talented and innovative Associate Principal Scientist with a strong background in biochemistry and mass spectrometry to participate on cross-functional teams and drive drug discovery programs across multiple therapeutic areas. Successful individuals will employ a combination of scientific tools and methodologies, including but not limited to activity & binding assay development, high-throughput screening, compound profiling for SAR, and mechanism of action studies. Scientists will be immersed in a multi-disciplinary environment [collaborating with Quantitative Biosciences, Data, AI & Genome Sciences (DAGS), Discovery Chemistry, Computational Structural Chemistry and project team colleagues] charged with progressing hits using detailed biochemical and cellular mechanistic profiling paired with informatics and high-throughput experimentation. Output from such work will enable drug discovery programs across oncology, immunology, neuroscience, cardiometabolic and infectious disease.

Key Responsibilities:

• Design, plan and execute robust scientific research activities utilizing biochemical assays and mass spectrometry ‘at-scale’ to accelerate lead discovery.

• Represent Screening & Compound Profiling on cross-functional project teams influencing strategic direction with data/progress updates & insight.

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

• Promote the external reputation of our department by contributing to publications and participating in external symposia.

Minimum education required:
Post-graduate degree in Biochemistry, Pharmacology, Cell Biology or equivalent, including years of relevant in vitro assay and industry cross-functional team experience as appropriate: Ph.D. (3+ years), M.Sc. (7+ years) or B.Sc. (10+ years).

Required Skills & Experience:

• Extensive development of biochemical assays for soluble (eg. kinases, phosphatases) and membrane (e.g. GPCR’s, receptor kinases) proteins.

• Miniaturization of biochemical assays (384w/ 1536w) using liquid handlers and mass spectrometry detectors (electrospray, MALDI) to support the sensitive screening & profiling of diverse analytes including small molecules, peptides, lipids & proteins.

• Guidance of scientific operations, strategy, and communication with a track record of collaboration on multidisciplinary teams in one or more therapeutic area(s).

• Interaction with therapeutic areas and chemistry across high-throughput screening, hit-to-lead and/or lead optimization discovery space.

• Demonstrated ability to work under tight timelines and independently execute experimental tasks.

• Passion for fostering a diverse and inclusive culture and contributing to the growth and success of colleagues.

• Strong external reputation as evidenced through publications, presentations, and/or 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 enzymology using steady-state, pre-steady state, and mechanism of action studies to fully characterize target-ligand interactions.

• Application of laboratory automation to biochemical assay and mass spectrometry systems in both walk-up and integrated platform scenarios.

• Interaction with affinity-based screening teams/technologies (DEL, AS/MS, mRNA-Display) and adjacent functions (protein generation, biophysics).

• Demonstrated ability to independently diagnose, troubleshoot and resolve problems with MS instrumentation.

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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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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 listedhere.

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.

Employee Status: Regular

Relocation:Domestic

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