Principal Scientist, Lab Platform Disruptive Technologies

Job Description

We are on a quest for cures and are committed to be the world’s premier, most research-intensive biopharmaceutical company. Our teams combine leading drug discovery capabilities and world-class R&D with the purpose of turning breakthrough science into life-changing medicines.

Discovery Biologics Disruptive Technologies is seeking a   talented and experienced scientist   to lead the development and deployment of   next-gen   lab-based experimental   technologies   to   enable rapid, data-driven biologics discovery.   This individual will identify and translate emerging, literature-supported technologies into scalable internal capabilities, with a focus on   multiplying   both the scale and speed of quantitative data generation (e.g.,   binding   measurements)   to advance therapeutic programs via   GenAI/ ML-driven discovery and   iterative design-make-test   cycles. The role includes leading a team   with expectation for strong   hands-on contribution to method development, and   will be   accountable for driving measurable program and broader organizational impact.   The role is based out of our Cambridge, MA facility.

Key Responsibilities

Develop   and mature   rapid , quantitative and   high-throughput   lab-based capabilities for   biologics hit identification an d optimization

Build and execute   a   technology   platform   roadmap   for arrayed and pooled technologies,   from proof-of-concept through widespread   program adoption

Partner effectively with   computational   protein engineering and data science groups   toward   efficient,   integrated   next-gen discovery   workflows

Drive capability improvements in   data richness, speed , throughput

Lead a   talented   team of   lab-based   scientists

As a hands-on individual contributor, realize and maximize   program impact of emerging technologies

Collaborate   effectively   across geography and reporting lines

Establish   rigorous   benchmarks   (e.g.   throughput,   speed,   reproducibility ,   data quality )   and success criteria

Qualifications & Experience

PhD in Biochemistry, Bioengineering, Chemical Biology, or related field with   7+ years   directly relevant   industry experience ; MS or BS with 12+ years industry experience.

Experience developing   large-scale,   high throughput   quantitative   experimental   methods   for biologics discovery

Experience   translating published or externally developed methods into   demonstrably   valuable   internal capabilities

Proven leadership track record

Required Skills

Demonstrated expertise advancing validated assays and methods toward broad organizational impact

Deep hands-on   expertise   in one or more of:

Quantitative p ooled   binding   assays   (10k+ sequences)

Rapid and high throughput advanced endpoint assays ( e.g.   cell-based function,   stability, localization, etc)

Lab-on-chip technologies   and protein arrays

M icrofluidics

Proven   succes s in   l eadership ,   talent development   and mentorship

Strong understanding of biochemistry and biophysical characterization methods

Cross-function project leadership track record

Strong ability to collaborate across reporting lines, especially with protein engineers and data scientists

Preferred Skills

Strong demonstrated understanding of protein structure-function relationships

E xperience applying in   vitro transcription and translation (IVTT)

Direct experience in b iophysical   protein characterization

Therapeutic high throughput pre-developability and developability assessment

Automation and scalable experimental workflows

Experience in   workflows leveraging generative AI ML

Required Skills:

Antibody Drug Conjugates (ADC), Biodesign, Detail-Oriented, Emerging Technologies, Ethical Compliance, Gene Cloning, Gene Expression Analysis, Immunochemistry, Leadership Engagement, Mass Spectrometry Analysis, Microscopy Techniques, Project Leadership, Protein Engineering, Protein Interactions, Protein Purifications

Preferred Skills:

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.

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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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.

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The salary range for this role is

$194,100.00 - $305,600.00

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 https://jobs.merck.com/us/en/compensation-and-benefits .

You can apply for this role through https://jobs.merck.com/us/en (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:

No

Travel Requirements:

10%

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Not Applicable

Shift:

1st - Day

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

N/A

Job Posting End Date:

08/14/2026 *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:R407843