Associate Principal Scientist, Biology-Discovery

Job Description

Associate Principal Scientist, Discovery Immunology 

Job Description:

Our company is a global health care leader with a diversified portfolio of prescription medicines, vaccines and animal health products.  As an R&D driven pharmaceutical company, we strive to excel and deliver medicines to patients worldwide through leading edge research, scientific breakthroughs and dedication to improving the lives of patients. 

The Discovery Immunology organization is developing and advancing innovative therapies for inflammatory and autoimmune diseases across Gastroenterology, Rheumatology and Dermatology, to address significant unmet medical needs. We are seeking an Associate Principal Scientist with a strong background in Immunology along with experience in drug discovery and precision medicine biomarker discovery to join our Autoimmunity, Autoinflammation and Atopy (AAA) Immunology Discovery team in Cambridge, MA. This role requires candidates to serve as a project co-lead on discovery teams leading projects from target validation to PCC, to co-lead on precision medicine discovery teams and to potentially manage scientist(s). These responsibilities include driving the design and implementation of innovative strategies to enable drug discovery and precision medicine.

The successful candidate will have experience in leading cross-functional teams to support advancement of programs from early discovery to clinical candidate and precision medicine biomarker discovery. The successful candidate will be an individual with deep scientific curiosity, excellent oral and written communication skills, ability to work well independently and as part of a collaborative team, and ability to work on several projects simultaneously. Hands-on expertise and deep knowledge in immunology, autoimmunity, tolerance and inflammation are required.

 

Key Responsibilities:

• Participate in and/or lead multiple cross-functional teams to advance precision medicine and therapeutic candidates from early discovery to clinic, ensuring successful and timely completion of project/program milestones

• Define and drive drug discovery immunology project/program strategies and collaborate effectively with colleagues within Discovery Immunology and across other functional areas to achieve organizational objectives

• Lead from the bench - independently designing, executing and interpreting complex in vitro studies aligned with program goals, while also mentoring other scientists

• Identify, validate and implement new and innovative approaches (including novel technologies) to increase efficiency and productivity and drive program progression

• Share expertise with colleagues and provide mentorship to less experienced scientists to ensure a culture of scientific rigor, collaboration and continuous learning

• Integrate and interpret complex data and communicate science and strategy to stakeholders and management

 

Education Minimum Requirements:

• Advanced Degree (Ph.D. or equivalent) in immunology, cell biology or related biomedical science

Required Experience and Skills:

• Minimum of 5 years of industry experience in drug discovery research with demonstrated experience contributing to precision medicine biomarker discovery and leading discovery-stage programs

• Strong immunology background with extensive knowledge of immune-mediated diseases across Gastroenterology, Rheumatology and Dermatology

• Broad experience in cell biology techniques, including, but not limited to, in vitro cell-based assays, immunoassays (eg. ELISA), multi-color flow cytometry, and molecular biology (e.g. RT-PCR)

• Proficiency in data analysis using Excel, Prism (GraphPad) and FlowJo

• Ability to work independently and operate effectively within cross-functional and matrixed teams

• Strong problem-solving and critical thinking skills

• Ability to lead by influencing and mentoring others

• Ability to communicate data and program strategies effectively to broad audiences

Preferred Experience and Skills:

• Experience in precision medicine biomarker discovery

• Experience leading drug discovery programs in industry, including autoimmune diseases

• Prior experience working with multiple therapeutic modalities (small molecules, biologics, etc.)

Required Skills:

Immunology, Autoimmune Diseases, Inflammation, Precision Medicine Discovery, Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, Program Leadership, Assay Development, Drug Discovery, Cross-Functional Teamwork

Required Skills:

Assay Development, Biochemical Assays, Cell-Based Assays, Detail-Oriented, Ethical Compliance, Flow Cytometry, High-Throughput Screening, Immunoassays, Immunochemistry, Immunology, Mammalian Cell Culture, Molecular Biology, Multi-Color Flow Cytometry, Protein Expression, Strategic Thinking, Working Independently

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

$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.

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:

10%

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Not Applicable

Shift:

1st - Day

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

N/A

Job Posting End Date:

07/17/2026

*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.