Associate Principal Scientist, Automation & Screening (Biologics Discovery)
Merck
Summary
We are recruiting an Associate Principal Scientist to support our Molecular Discovery group located in South San Francisco. Antibody Generation within Discovery Biologics delivers differentiated therapeutic antibodies through innovative discovery, screening, and characterization approaches. We collaborate across protein sciences, data sciences, engineering, and therapeutic area teams to advance programs from early discovery through candidate selection.
Job description
We are seeking an innovative scientific leader to develop and advance automated workflows for antibody discovery and characterization in South San Francisco. The Associate Principal Scientist will combine automation and bioassay expertise with strategic and operational leadership, manage a small team of scientists, establish priorities, and support team development while delivering robust, scalable, and decision enabling capabilities.
Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's (with 10+ years), Master's (with 6+ years) or Ph.D. (with 4+ years) in a relevant biological science or related field and relevant experience.
Required Experience And Skills
- Demonstrated scientific leadership directing complex laboratory automation or high throughput screening activities across multiple programs.
- Hands on experience with automated liquid handling platforms, such as the Hamilton Microlab STAR, robotic arms, and related automation software, including method programming, configuration, and troubleshooting.
- Experience with Python, SQL, R, or related tools for data processing, workflow automation, or instrument integration.
- Strong experience with binding and cell-based assays, including ELISA and flow cytometry or fluorescence activated cell sorting.
- Ability to translate scientific needs into scalable workflows, define experimental plans, resolve complex technical issues, and manage priorities and resources across concurrent biotherapeutic discovery workstreams.
- Prior experience managing or supervising a small team of automation scientists, including coaching, performance feedback, and professional development.
- Excellent communication, collaboration, and influencing skills in a matrixed research organization.
Preferred Experience And Skills
- Experience training laboratory users, standardizing automated methods, and overseeing safe and compliant laboratory operations.
- Experience evaluating or implementing innovative antibody discovery technologies, such as microfluidics, genetic or messenger RNA immunization, single cell screening, or other high throughput approaches.
- Strong knowledge of antibody discovery, characterization, NGS, protein engineering, and biologics modality design.
- Contributions to publications, intellectual property, technology strategy, or external collaborations.
Requirements
- Bachelor's with 10+ years, Master's with 6+ years, or Ph.D. with 4+ years in a relevant biological science or related field
- Demonstrated scientific leadership directing complex laboratory automation or high throughput screening activities across multiple programs
- Hands-on experience with automated liquid handling platforms such as Hamilton Microlab STAR, robotic arms, and related automation software, including method programming, configuration, and troubleshooting
- Experience with Python, SQL, R, or related tools for data processing, workflow automation, or instrument integration
- Strong experience with binding and cell-based assays, including ELISA and flow cytometry or fluorescence activated cell sorting
- Ability to translate scientific needs into scalable workflows, define experimental plans, resolve complex technical issues, and manage priorities and resources across concurrent biotherapeutic discovery workstreams
- Prior experience managing or supervising a small team of automation scientists, including coaching, performance feedback, and professional development
- Excellent communication, collaboration, and influencing skills in a matrixed research organization
Benefits
- Medical, Dental & Vision
- Other Insurance Benefits
- 401(k)
- Paid Holidays
- Vacation
- Compassionate & Sick Days
- Annual Bonus
- Long-Term Incentive
Company overview
Merck & Co., Inc., known as Merck in the United States and Canada and MSD (Merck Sharp & Dohme) internationally, is a premier American multinational pharmaceutical company headquartered in Rahway, New Jersey. Founded in 1891 as the U.S. subsidiary of the German Merck Group, the company became independent following World War I and has since grown into one of the world's largest biomedical companies, ranking fourth globally by revenue. Merck operates across three core business segments: pharmaceuticals, vaccines, and animal health products. The company is renowned for its groundbreaking research and development, having brought numerous life-saving medicines to market including Keytruda (pembrolizumab), a leading immunotherapy for cancer treatment that generated $29.5 billion in 2024 revenue, and Gardasil, a revolutionary HPV vaccine. With approximately 75,000 employees worldwide, Merck maintains a robust pipeline of innovative therapies focused on oncology, vaccines, hospital acute care, cardiology, neuroscience, virology, immunology, and diabetes. The company invests heavily in R&D, spending $17.9 billion in 2024 alone, demonstrating its commitment to advancing scientific discovery. Merck's legacy spans over 130 years of bringing hope to humanity through important medicines and vaccines, operating with a purpose to use leading-edge science to save and improve lives globally while fostering an inclusive workforce and responsible business practices.