Job Description

Our Research and Development Division in San Diego is a cross-functional team (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 a Senior Scientist to drive biologics discovery, protein production, engineering, and characterization. The role is a key interface with Immunology and other drug discovery and development scientists and functions across our company as well as with external academic and industrial partners.

The successful candidate will design and carry out experiments in the lab to build and support projects in the early discovery pipeline, with focus on antibody-based therapeutics and evaluation of novel biologic platforms. An ability to communicate clearly and collaborate effectively with colleagues in the discovery group as well as scientists from different disciplines.

We recognize that the diversity in our team is our strength and are dedicated to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Successful candidates should demonstrate inclusive behaviors in working with a diverse group of scientists to drive our core mission.

Key Responsibilities:

• Perform the expression, purification, characterization and early developability assessment of antibody-based therapeutics (mAb, single-domain Ab, multispecific Ab, etc) to support candidate selection and pre-clinical development of therapeutic programs

• Contribute scientifically to drug discovery research programs; present and communicate strategies, concepts and results to multidisciplinary drug discovery teams

• Collaborate with adjacent discovery departments to develop and integrate enabling technology

• Ensure that data generated is communicated in a concise, easy to understand manner to the appropriate teams and stakeholders

• Serve as antibody production representative in project teams to advance programs from early discovery to start of IND-enabling studies

• Lead and mentor junior scientists to facilitate their contributions to the company

• Work productively with external academic, biotechnology, and contract research organizations

• Stay abreast of latest scientific and competitive developments around therapeutic platform choice/s and experimental methods, including solubility, aggregation, glycan- and charge-variant analysis, stress testing and peptide mapping of antibodies

Position Qualifications:

Education:

• Bachelor's (with 7 years), Master's (with 4 years) or Ph.D. in molecular biology, biochemistry, structural biology or related discipline with relevant laboratory experience described below

Required Experience and Skills:

• Experience with mammalian cell culture and expression platforms (CHO, HEK293)

• Extensive experience in recombinant protein purification using various techniques such as affinity, ion exchange, hydrophobic and size exclusion chromatography at a milligram scale using AKTA FPLC

• Demonstrated experience in multi-specific antibody purification

• Experience with Mass spectrometry for antibody intact mass determination

• Familiarity with developability assessments addressing non-specificity, stability, charge heterogeneity, immunogenicity and chemical liabilities

• Demonstrated strong communication skills and ability to multi-task and work collaboratively in a cross-functional team environment.

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

Preferred Experience and Skills:

• Experience in antibody biophysical characterization methods such as binding kinetics, binning by Octet/SPR, flow cytometry, etc.

• Experience with high throughput technologies, automation platforms and data management

• Experience advancing biotherapeutic programs into the clinical stage and driving scientific or platform innovations

#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.

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:

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Travel Requirements:

Flexible Work Arrangements:

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Requisition ID:R320542