Senior Scientist Biology-Discovery
Merck
Summary
Within Quantitative Biosciences Early Discovery (QBED), we leverage advanced technologies and multidisciplinary collaboration to address challenging therapeutic targets and enable the next generation of drug discovery. The Affinity Selections team develops and applies mRNA Display and DNA Encoded Library (DEL) technologies to discover peptide and small molecule leads against difficult biological targets.
Job description
About the Team
Within Quantitative Biosciences Early Discovery (QBED), we leverage advanced technologies and multidisciplinary collaboration to address challenging therapeutic targets and enable the next generation of drug discovery. The Affinity Selections team develops and applies mRNA Display and DNA Encoded Library (DEL) technologies to discover peptide and small molecule leads against difficult biological targets.
Position Overview
We are seeking a collaborative scientist to join the Affinity Selections team in Rahway, NJ, with a primary focus on mRNA Display technologies. The successful candidate will contribute to the execution, optimization, and continued advancement of our affinity-selection platforms while supporting discovery efforts against challenging therapeutic targets.
Primary Responsibilities
- Design, execute, troubleshoot, and optimize mRNA Display affinity-selection campaigns.
- Analyze experimental and NGS data to support hit identification and project progression.
- Develop and improve selection strategies, workflows, and platform performance.
- Contribute to the development and implementation of new technologies and scientific approaches.
- Draft, maintain, and update SOPs, protocols, and technical documentation.
- Present scientific findings and recommendations to project teams and stakeholders.
- Collaborate effectively with scientists across multiple disciplines.
- Contribute to knowledge sharing, training, and continuous improvement efforts.
Minimum Qualifications
- PhD in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Biophysics, Chemical Biology, Structural Biology, or a related scientific discipline; or
- MS with 4+ years of relevant research or industry experience in affinity-selection or genotype-to-phenotype discovery technologies.
Required Qualifications
- Strong understanding of molecular biology, protein biochemistry, affinity-based screening, and NGS-based analysis.
- Demonstrated ability to design, execute, optimize, and troubleshoot complex experimental workflows.
- Demonstrated ability to analyze and integrate data from multiple experimental approaches to guide scientific decision-making.
- Strong critical-thinking and problem-solving skills.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to work collaboratively across disciplines and contribute effectively to team-based science.
Preferred Skills And Experience
- Hands-on experience with mRNA Display is strongly preferred.
- Experience with genotype-to-phenotype discovery technologies and use of NGS data to identify and prioritize hits.
- Experience with phage display, yeast display, ribosome display, CIS display, DNA display, or related technologies.
- Experience in a pharmaceutical or biotechnology research environment.
- Experience developing new technologies and improving scientific workflows.
- Experience writing SOPs, protocols, and technical documentation.
Requirements
- PhD in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Biophysics, Chemical Biology, Structural Biology, or a related scientific discipline; or MS with 4+ years of relevant research or industry experience in affinity-selection or genotype-to-phenotype discovery technologies
- Strong understanding of molecular biology, protein biochemistry, affinity-based screening, and NGS-based analysis
- Demonstrated ability to design, execute, optimize, and troubleshoot complex experimental workflows
- Demonstrated ability to analyze and integrate data from multiple experimental approaches to guide scientific decision-making
- Strong critical-thinking and problem-solving skills
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to work collaboratively across disciplines and contribute effectively to team-based science
Benefits
- Medical, Dental & Vision
- Other Insurance Benefits
- 401(k) Retirement Benefits
- 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.