Senior Scientist, Biology-Discovery

Job Description

Job Description

We are seeking for an innovative, dedicated and highly motivated Senior Scientist to join the Infectious Diseases and Vaccine Discovery at our company working on infectious and immune-based diseases. Successful candidates will become part of a creative and flexible team that investigates novel therapeutic avenues for infectious and/or immunological diseases using humoral and T cell-based approaches.

Candidates for the position will need an understanding of T and B cell biology, innate immunity and cutting-edge methodologies to interrogate specificity and effector functions. Experience in human and NHP immune biology is highly desirable with a proven track record of research accomplishments in academia or industry.  Knowledge of immune regulatory pathways in infectious disease and/or other immune diseases will be highly desirable. We are focused on remaining at the forefront of this fast-paced, exciting field and are always looking for innovative ideas. The candidate is expected to carry out laboratory-based work.

The candidate will be expected to understand and solve challenging issues independently and to show a high degree of innovation. Critical to success will be the ability to design experiments, interpret and track results, and utilize this information for vaccines and drug development. The candidate must demonstrate well-developed skills for effective communication of scientific information and should have a history of publication(s) in peer-reviewed journals. The candidate is expected to participate in preparation of patents on novel methodology and manuscripts for publication

Education Requirement:

MS with at least 5 years of experience, or PhD with at least 2 years of postdoctoral or equivalent industry experience, in (Immunology, Microbiology, Virology), or a related discipline, with relevant experience.

Required Skills:

• In-depth knowledge of ELISPOT and ELISA assay execution

• Expertise in multi-parameter flow cytometry and intracellular cytokine staining (ICS) including familiarity with flow cytometry platforms including BD Symphony, LSR II, FACSARIA, and Sony SH800

• Sound understanding of tetramer analysis

• Advanced capability in primary cell culture techniques

• Strong proficiency in cloning and transfection methodologies

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to effectively communicate scientific information

• Demonstrated ability to independently understand and solve complex scientific challenges

• High degree of innovation and creative problem-solving skills

• Experience designing experiments, interpreting and tracking results, and applying findings to vaccine and drug development

Preferred Skills:

• Proficiency in cytotoxicity assays

• Familiarity with 10X Genomics or other immunoprofiling platforms

• Proficiency in small animal model experimentation and related technical skills

• Track record of publications in peer-reviewed journals

• Experience contributing to patent preparation for novel methodologies

• Experience preparing manuscripts for publication

Required Skills:

Adaptability, Assay Development, Biochemical Assays, Cell Culture Techniques, Clinical Immunology, Cytometry, Detail-Oriented, DNA Hybridization, Flow Cytometry, High Content Screening, Immunoassays, Immunology, Infectious Disease, Innovation, Laboratory Techniques, Molecular Biology, Molecular Cloning, Multi-Color Flow Cytometry, Personal Initiative, Teamwork, Transcriptomics, Written Communication

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:

EEOC Know Your Rights

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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.

Learn more about your rights, including under California, Colorado and other US State Acts

The salary range for this role is

$117,000.00 - $184,200.00

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:

Not Indicated

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

N/A

Job Posting End Date:

08/21/2026

*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.