Scientist, Protein Engineering Full-time

Scientist Position

We are seeking a highly motivated and detail-oriented scientist to join our high-throughput protein engineering team in South San Francisco, CA. The successful candidate will support the discovery and optimization of novel biologics through high-throughput protein production, analytics, and screening.

This role offers an excellent opportunity for an early-career scientist to make a direct impact on therapeutic protein discovery in a collaborative, fast-paced, and innovation-driven environment. The position sits at the intersection of molecular biology, automation, and cutting-edge biologics discovery, providing hands-on exposure to modern protein engineering platforms. This role contributes to our company's mission to accelerate drug development by supporting conventional, computational, and AI/ML-enabled approaches to biologics discovery.

We recognize that our team is our strength and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Successful candidates must demonstrate inclusive behaviors in working with a group of scientists to drive our core mission.

What You Will Do:

Operate automated and semi-automated liquid handling platforms for high-throughput protein engineering workflows.

Execute high-throughput production of proteins and antibodies using standardized, automated processes, from molecular biology to protein purification.

Perform high-throughput protein characterization and screening across multiple analytical assays.

Troubleshoot automation, assay, and workflow issues, and contribute to protocol optimization and standardization.

Collaborate with team members and cross-functional partners to deliver project milestones.

Maintain accurate experimental records, sample tracking, and data analysis in electronic lab notebooks (ELN), registration and laboratory information management systems (LIMS).

Present results and workflow improvements in group meetings.

Ensure lab organization and safety compliance.

Qualifications:

Education: Bachelor's or Master's in Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Protein Engineering or a related discipline with two or more (2+) years of relevant hands-on research experience in industry

Required Experience and Skills:

Strong experience with automation and high-throughput experimentation, including hands-on use of liquid handling platforms (e.g., TECAN, Dynamic Devices/Lynx, Hamilton) for cherry-picking, plate stamping, and plate re-arraying

Demonstrated ability to independently troubleshoot experiments and strong analytical skills

Solid organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks in a dynamic and fast-paced research environment

Proficient with Excel and other spreadsheet-based tools for data entry, analysis, and reporting

Required Experience in One or More of the Following:

Experience with protein engineering, including molecular biology workflows, mammalian cell transfection, and protein purification

Experience in protein and antibody characterization using techniques such as SDS-PAGE, CE-SDS, analytical chromatography (SEC, RP-HPLC), and intact mass spectrometry, ideally in a high-throughput setting

Strong experience with binding and functional screening assays, including ELISA, flow cytometry (FACS), and/or biosensor assays (SPR/BLI)

Preferred Experience and Skills:

Familiarity with Python programming and data analysis workflows

Experience with proximity assays (e.g., AlphaLISA, HTRF)

Exposure to protein and antibody engineering concepts and workflows

Required Skills: Antibody Characterization, Antibody Engineering, Automated Liquid Handling Systems, Biochemistry, Biosensors, Cell Transfection, Chromatography, Flow Cytometry, Functional Assays, High-Throughput Screening, Molecular Biology, Protein Engineering, Protein Purifications

Preferred Skills:

The salary range for this role is $108,000.00 – $170,100.00. 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: No Travel Required

Flexible Work Arrangements: Not Applicable

Shift: 1st – Day

Valid Driving License: No

Hazardous Material(s): N/A

Job Posting End Date: 03/24/2026

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