Scientist, Pharmacology

Job Description

Position Description:

The Pharmacokinetics, Dynamics, Metabolism, and Bioanalytics (PDMB) organization at our company's Research Laboratories is seeking a highly motivated and collaborative scientist to join the Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics (DMPK) group in South San Francisco (SSF). The Scientist will provide laboratory support for the multi-disciplinary drug discovery effort in SSF, with a focus on supporting preclinical development of therapeutics of various modalities through integrated understanding of drug disposition and pharmacology.

The scientist will work within teams of highly collaborative scientists to contribute to characterization of novel drug candidates in a range of therapeutic areas. The scientist will be responsible for planning and conducting in vitro/ex vivo studies to the DMPK properties of biologics, conjugates and other modalities. The ideal candidate will work with the team and interpret data, integrate, and clearly present results to help the team inform pipeline decisions. The candidate will also contribute to scientific initiatives for further understanding of ADME and discovery bioanalytical science.

The successful candidate should have knowledge and hands-on experience with biologics bioanalytical, cell-based assays and handling biomatrices. The scientist must be highly motivated, able to work collaboratively in a fast-paced environment and have excellent scientific, interpersonal, and communication skills.

Position Qualifications:

Education Minimum Requirement:

• Bachelor (3+ years relevant exp) or MSc in analytical science, biology, biochemistry, pharmaceutical sciences, chemistry, pharmacology, biochemical engineering, biophysics, or a related discipline.

Required Experience and Skills:

• Demonstrated experience with mammalian cell culture and performing cell-based assays.

• Demonstrated experience in biologics bioanalytical experimentation, such as ligand binding assays, FACS, etc.

Preferred Experience and Skills:

• Previous experience in a research environment or/and in drug discovery and development.

• Demonstrated experience with protein characterization using biochemical or biophysical techniques.

• Previous experience developing or performing assays with automated system.

• General knowledge of PK, ADME and/or drug discovery concepts is a plus not a must.

• Demonstrated creativity and innovation via a publication/presentation record.

• Proficient in using data analysis software, such as Graphpad, Excel, etc.

• Experience in using electronic notebooks is desirable.

Required Skills:

Animal Experiments, Animal Experiments, Assay Development, Biopharmaceuticals, Biopharmaceutics, Biophysics, Cell-Based Assays, Cell Cultures, Clinical Judgment, Compound Screening, Cytopathology, Data Analysis Tools, Detail-Oriented, Drug Metabolism, Experimentation, Exploratory Research, Immunoassays, In Vivo Models, Laboratory Techniques, Mammalian Cell, Mammalian Cell Culture, Mechanism of Action Studies, Pharmacokinetics, Preclinical Drug Discovery, Professional Research {+ 1 more}

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

$89,000.00 - $140,100.00

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:

No relocation

VISA Sponsorship:

No

Travel Requirements:

No Travel Required

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Not Applicable

Shift:

Not Indicated

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

N/A

Job Posting End Date:

07/2/2026

*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.