Associate Principal Scientist, Cellular Pharmacology, Small Molecule

Job Description

Our Research Scientists are our Inventors. We identify and target steps in disease mechanisms or pathways that could be inhibited or enhanced. Our goal is to isolate a therapeutic agent that is effective against a disease target. Using innovative thinking, state-of-the-art facilities and robust scientific methodology we collaborate to discover the next medical breakthrough.

The Cellular Pharmacology group in the department of Quantitative Biosciences is seeking a highly motivated, passionate, and creative Associate Principal Scientist that possesses the ability to work across a highly matrixed environment to advance preclinical programs from target identification/validation through IND enabling activities. The successful candidate will have a strong background in cell signaling and vitro models of inflammation and oncology and will play an essential role in developing assays with a cellular context for screening and translational relevance.- This position will offer the candidate the opportunity to work broadly across different therapeutic areas and drug modalities while having opportunities to participate in and lead departmental initiatives/platforms. -The position will be located at our Research & Development Division in Boston and we are uniquely positioned to complement the world-class biology and leading academic research centers in the area.-

Responsibilities:

• Influence in vitro pharmacology strategy to advance programs from target validation to hit to lead and single candidate selection leveraging working knowledge of celluluar pharmacology principles.
  
• Contribute expertise in cellular pharmacology to evaluate novel targets and multi modality drug candidates through designing key experiments to drive data driven decision making, including mechanism of action studies to establish biochemical/biophysical and translational PK/PD relationships
  
• Support pipeline programs across all therapeutic areas (including oncology, autoimmunity, neuroscience, and metabolic disease) as a 'core team' representative- articulating quantitative biosciences strategy, -influencing core team's vision to success, and delivering experimental data to drive decision-making in a timely manner to meet program milestones
  
• Collaborate cross-functionally to develop capabilities, advance therapeutic programs and grow our scientific capital. -
  
• Oversee routine molecular profiling bioassays to inform on structure activity relationship and support the development of new therapeutics across diverse modalities-including small molecules, peptides, and biologics.
  
• Document protocols and results, comply with all laboratory safety and environmental requirements.
  
• Take on increasing leadership responsibilities within the Quantitative Biosciences group and on project teams as you become more familiar with our Research & Development Division .
  
• Identify and apply emerging innovative methodologies to the development of advanced fit for -purpose in vitro models that represent human disease pathology in support of research projects targeting inflammation, autoimmune indications, and oncology using different modalities
  
• Mentor and train junior staff scientists and colleagues
  

Experience:

• Deep understanding of biochemical and molecular biology principles with experience in developing mechanistic understanding of small molecules for the purpose of pharmacologically validating mechanism of action.
  
• Demonstrated expertise in applying cellular pharmacology principles to advance chemical entities from hit to lead to lead optimization and single candidate selection by independently designing, executing, and troubleshooting experiments that inform on dose projection and translation to the clinic, specifically in small molecules.
• Hands-on experience in developing engineered cell lines and implementing cell-based readouts including flow cytometry, qPCR, ELISA, transcriptional reporter gene assays, and major platforms such as Meso Scale Discovery and Alphalisa to inform on structure activity relationships.
• Strong understanding in at least one therapeutic area - oncology, autoimmunity, neuroscience, and metabolic disease
• Hands-on experience with medium to high throughput assay-related data analysis and an appreciation for the related quantitative and statistical concepts to establish concentration response correlations to support structure activity relationships
• Prior experience with small molecule cellular pharmacology. -Experience with hetero-bifunctional molecules (e.g. PROTACS, molecular glues, etc) and/ or targeted protein degradation considered a plus.

Education:

• PhD in biology, chemistry, biochemistry, chemical biology, pharmacology, biomedical sciences, pharmaceutical sciences or a related biological field with a minimum of 4 years post-Ph.D. experience [academia/industry] with publications; an M.S. degree with 8 years of industry experience; or a B.S./B.A. degree with a minimum 12 years of industry experience.
  

As an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, we provide equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.--As a federal contractor, we comply with all affirmative action requirements for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.- For more information about personal rights under the U.S. Equal Opportunity Employment laws, visit:

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As an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, we provide equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.--As a federal contractor, we comply with all affirmative action requirements for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.- For more information about personal rights under the U.S. Equal Opportunity Employment laws, visit:

EEOC Know Your Rights

EEOC GINA Supplement•

We are proud to be a company that embraces the value of bringing together, talented, and committed people with diverse experiences, perspectives, skills and backgrounds. The fastest way to breakthrough innovation is when people with diverse ideas, broad experiences, backgrounds, and skills 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 salary range for this role is
$141,900.00 - $223,300.00

This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. An employee's position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, geographic location, government requirements, and business or organizational needs.

The successful candidate will be eligible for annual bonus and long-term incentive, if applicable.

We offer a comprehensive package of benefits.- Available benefits include medical, dental, vision healthcare and other insurance benefits (for employee and family), retirement benefits, including 401(k), paid holidays, vacation, and compassionate and sick days. More information about benefits is available at .

You can apply for this role through (or via the Workday Jobs Hub if you are a current employee). The application deadline for this position is stated on this posting.

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:
Regular

Relocation:
Domestic

VISA Sponsorship:
Yes

Travel Requirements:
No Travel Required

Flexible Work Arrangements:
Not Applicable

Shift:
Not Indicated

Valid Driving License:
No

Hazardous Material(s):
OEB4, OEB5, Bloodbourne pahtogens

Required Skills:
Biochemical Assays, Biochemistry, Cell-Based Assays, Cell Biology, Chemical Biology, High-Throughput Screening, Hit to Lead, In Vitro Pharmacology, Lead Optimization, Mechanism of Action, Molecular Biology, Molecular Mechanisms, Reaction Mechanisms, Small Molecules

-Preferred Skills:

Job Posting End Date:
09/12/2025
*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: R363356