Sr. Scientist, Protein Screening & Automation, Disruptive Technologies Full-time

R3 – High-Throughput Screening, Discovery Biologics Disruptive Technologies

The Discovery Biologics Department is seeking an exceptional Senior Scientist to join the Disruptive Technologies Group, which advances and utilizes cutting-edge technologies to build a robust portfolio of innovative biotherapeutics. This scientist will develop and execute emerging scalable protein production, screening, and characterization methods, generating large-scale and high-quality datasets to support pipeline projects and technology development work. The role is based at our Cambridge, MA facility.

We are on a quest for cures and are committed to being 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.

We recognize that the diversity in 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 diverse group of scientists to drive our core mission.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and execute rapid and high-throughput binding and functional measurements of protein biologics
• Advance assays and carry out small-scale cell-free protein synthesis-based screening to support portfolio programs
• Develop and optimize protocols for automated workflows
• Support development of lab-based methods to improve capabilities
• Advance and apply scalable, fast, parallelizable assays to measure protein properties at very high scale
• Collaborate cross-functionally with computational and experimental scientists to impact both portfolio programs and technology development
• Author and contribute to patents and peer-reviewed publications
• Present research findings at internal and external meetings
• Strengthen the team, mentoring junior scientists and exemplifying a culture of collaboration, accountability, and inclusion

Qualifications & Experience

• PhD in Biology, Engineering/Bioengineering, Structural Biology, Biochemistry, Biophysics, Chemistry or related STEM discipline with demonstrated experience in assay development and automation (MS with 4+ years or BS with 7+ years of equivalent industry experience also considered)

Required Skills

• Strong hands-on experience with laboratory automation (e.g., liquid handling, acoustic dispensing)
• Expertise in quantitative protein characterization using one or more of: miniaturized assays, oligopool-based assays, lab-on-a-chip, microfluidics, or library-display-based methods
• Expertise planning and developing rapid, plate-scale assays (e.g. competitive ELISA, protein stability, FRET/fluorescence polarization, etc)
• Strong foundation in molecular biology, protein expression, and biochemical characterization
• Proficiency in programming languages for data analysis (e.g., Python)
• Excellent oral and written communication skills

Preferred Skills

• Experience with cell-free expression systems
• Expertise in library DNA construction and NGS
• Familiarity with machine learning approaches
• Experience developing and multiplexing functional assays
• Experience with miniaturization strategies for scalable screening

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. 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 $116,800.00 – $183,800.00. 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: Yes

Travel Requirements: No Travel Required

Flexible Work Arrangements: Not Applicable

Shift: Not Indicated

Valid Driving License: No

Hazardous Material(s): Bloodborne pathogens, standard lab chemicals & reagents

Required Skills: Assay Development, Automated Liquid Handling Systems, Automation, Biochemistry, Biotherapeutics, Communication, Data Analysis, Detail-Oriented, Drug Discovery Research, High-Throughput Screening, Molecular Biology Techniques, Professional Networking, Protein Analysis, Protein Engineering, Protein Expression, Protein Interactions, Protein Purifications

Preferred Skills: Cell Free Assays

Job Posting End Date: 09/21/2025

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