Associate Principal Scientist, Discovery Oncology Full-time

Associate Principal Scientist

Our company is a global health care leader with a diversified portfolio of prescription medicines, vaccines and consumer health products, as well as animal health products. Today, we are building a new kind of healthcare company – one that is ready to help create a healthier future for all of us.

Our ability to excel depends on the integrity, knowledge, imagination, skill, diversity and teamwork of people like you. To this end, we strive to create an environment of mutual respect, encouragement and teamwork. As part of our global team, you'll have the opportunity to collaborate with talented and dedicated colleagues while developing and expanding your career.

We are seeking a highly motivated and innovative Associate Principal Scientist to join our Discovery Oncology team in Boston. The successful candidate will have a strong track record in oncology and drug discovery and will lead the conception, design, and execution of discovery-stage research programs. In this role you will partner closely with cross-functional teams across the organization to advance differentiated cancer therapies from target validation through early development. Strong technical and problem-solving skills as well as an ability to communicate clearly and collaborate effectively with colleagues in the discovery group and scientists from different disciplines will be essential.

Key Responsibilities

• Team lead: Provide scientific and technical leadership as a direct line manager to a small, high-performing team, driving innovation, quality, and excellence in experimental design, and data interpretation.
• Lead projects through effective cross-functional collaboration with stakeholders across the organization
• Drive ideation and early-stage discovery efforts to deliver competitive oncology programs, leveraging internal expertise and emerging technologies
• Design, establish, and optimize in vitro and ex vivo assays to elucidate mechanisms of action and assess therapeutic potential
• Make timely, data-driven decisions that balance innovation, risk, and experimental rigor
• Communicate scientific strategy, rationale, and results clearly to internal teams and help build external scientific presence through publications, conference presentations, and collaborations

Required Qualifications

• Passionate, creative, and collaborative scientist committed to improving outcomes for people living with cancer
• Demonstrated ability to drive innovative research, evidenced by high-impact publications, patents, and/or successful advancement of discovery programs
• Deep expertise in tumor biology, including cancer genomics and oncogenic signaling
• Hands-on experience with a broad range of therapeutic modalities is desired
• Broad technical expertise in molecular and cellular biology, biochemistry, and analytical methods
• Familiarity with or in-depth knowledge of cancer dependency databases and other large-scale oncology datasets is a plus
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, a positive, team-oriented mindset, and strong leadership potential

Education and Experience

• PhD in Cancer Biology, Cell Biology, Pharmacology, Biochemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemistry, Biophysics, Bioengineering, Biotechnology, or related life sciences discipline and 4+ years of relevant industry experience in oncology drug discovery, or MS and 8+ years of experience or BS and 12+ years of experience.

Required Skills:

Assay Development, Biochemical Assays, Biopharmaceuticals, Cell-Based Assays, Cell Biology, Compound Screening, CRISPR-Cas System, Data Analysis, Drug Discovery Process, ELISA Techniques, Ex Vivo Assays, Foster Innovation, Genomics, Immunoassays, Immunoblots, Immunology, In Vitro Assays, Mammalian Cell Culture, Meso Scale Discovery, Molecular Biology, Oncology, Research Programs, Strategic Thinking, Target Validation

Salary Range:

$144,800.00 – $227,900.00

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.