Principal Scientist, Protein Sciences

Job Description

We are seeking an exceptional and experienced Principal Scientist to join the Discovery Biologics Protein Sciences department in South San Francisco to lead both functional area scientists and drug discovery programs. The Principal Scientist, Protein Sciences role carries managerial and oversight responsibilities and will be a key interface with multiple cross-site groups within the Discovery Biologics department as well as project teams and therapy areas.

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.

What you will do:

• Lead a small group of scientists to design, produce, and characterize a wide variety of protein therapeutic molecules to identify strong candidates for development
• Lead and participate in cross-functional project teams to deliver impactful protein therapeutics from discovery to development
• Identify and implement cutting-edge technologies to improve efficiency and impact of high-throughput protein design and production
• Effectively partner across multidisciplinary interfaces to achieve organizational objectives
• Foster a high-performance culture of collaboration, engagement, self-accountability and inclusion
• Stay abreast of external advancements in the relevant scientific fields
• Promote the external reputation of our company’s Discovery Biologics

Qualifications:

Education:

• Ph.D. (with 8+ years) Master's (with 10+ years) or Bachelor's (with 14+ years) in life sciences or related discipline and relevant industry experience listed below

Required Experience and Skills:

• Strong technical knowledge of multiple aspects of biologics production including protein engineering, expression, purification, characterization, and automation
• Experience advancing protein therapeutics beyond traditional mAbs including multi-specifics, fusion proteins, and ADCs
• Project leadership experience across Discovery stages, from hit identification through preclinical development of therapeutic candidates
• Deep scientific knowledge of the workflows required for the discovery of protein therapeutics
• Prior direct people management, including demonstrated passion and a track record of talent development
• Track record in leadership and managerial roles in Biologics Discovery
• Experience in advancing protein therapeutics through discovery to development
• Strong presentation and communication abilities
• Established external reputation through high-impact publications, presentations, and/or scientific community engagement
• Track record of driving scientific or platform innovations
• Recognized team player with strong collaboration skills
• Champion for diverse and inclusive culture

Preferred Experience and Skills:

• Direct experience implementing automation solutions for protein-based workflows
• Experience in line management of groups of three or more
• Protein engineering through computation and structure-based methods
• Developability assessment of protein therapeutics
• Experience in outsourcing and managing external collaborations

NOTICE FOR INTERNAL APPLICANTS

In accordance with Managers' Policy - Job Posting and Employee Placement, all employees subject to this policy are required to have a minimum of twelve (12) months of service in current position prior to applying for open positions.

If you have been offered a separation benefits package, but have not yet reached your separation date and are offered a position within the salary and geographical parameters as set forth in the Summary Plan Description (SPD) of your separation package, then you are no longer eligible for your separation benefits package. To discuss in more detail, please contact your HRBP or Talent Acquisition Advisor.

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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.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability status, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.  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 diverse, talented, and committed people together. The fastest way to breakthrough innovation is when diverse ideas 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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U.S. Hybrid Work Model

Effective September 5, 2023, employees in office-based positions in the U.S. will be working a Hybrid work consisting of three total days on-site per week, Monday - Thursday, although the specific days may vary by site or organization, with Friday designated as a remote-working day, unless business critical tasks require an on-site presence.This Hybrid work model does not apply to, and daily in-person attendance is required for, field-based positions; facility-based, manufacturing-based, or research-based positions where the work to be performed is located at a Company site; positions covered by a collective-bargaining agreement (unless the agreement provides for hybrid work); or any other position for which the Company has determined the job requirements cannot be reasonably met working remotely. Please note, this Hybrid work model guidance also does not apply to roles that have been designated as “remote”.

The Company is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the salary range for this job in certain states and cities within the United States. Final determinations with respect to salary will take into account a number of factors, which may include, but not be limited to the primary work location and the chosen candidate’s relevant skills, experience, and education.

Expected US salary range:

Available benefits include bonus eligibility, long term incentive if applicable, health care and other insurance benefits (for employee and family), retirement benefits, paid holidays, vacation, and sick days. A summary of benefits is listed here.

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. 

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