Sr. Scientist, Protein Engineering, Discovery Biologics

Job Description

We are on a quest for cures and are committed to be the worlds 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 are seeking an exceptional Senior Scientist specializing in protein engineering to apply structure-based and GenAI/ML-based design methods in support of our biologics pipeline. In this role, you will design and optimize therapeutics for Discovery Biologics pipeline programs, perform antibody humanization and liability corrections, and ensure accurate registration of entities in databases and electronic lab notebooks. Additionally, you will serve as a critical quality control checkpoint, verifying sequence accuracy and aligning hit selection among co-leads, the core team, and protein production specialists. Beyond planning and executing experiments, you will partner with stakeholders across our Company's network to translate innovative ideas into valuable medicines that improve patient outcomes.

The role is based out of our Boston, MA facility.

Key Responsibilities:

• Leverage protein engineering expertise to design biologic modalities, perform antibody humanization, and conduct liability analysis with necessary corrections.

• Design and optimize a diverse range of protein therapeutics to identify promising candidates for development.

• Apply generative AI, machine learning-based protein design, emerging engineering technologies, and structure-guided rational design to develop biologic therapeutics.

• Act as the protein engineering representative on cross-functional project teams.

• Keep up-to-date with the latest scientific advancements in relevant fields.

• Enhance and promote the external reputation of our research group.

Qualifications & Experience:

• Ph.D. with 0-3 years of relevant industry experience, Master's with 4+ years relevant industry experience or Bachelor's with 7+ years of relevant industry experience in biochemistry or related field.

• Demonstrate success in applying GenAI/ML-based protein design methods.

• Excellent communication and collaboration skills.

• Commitment to scientific excellence and rigor.

• Champion for diverse and inclusive culture.

• Strong presentation and publication record.

Required skills:

• In-depth knowledge of protein structure and molecular biophysics.

• Expertise in at least one protein engineering software package (e.g., MOE, Rosetta, or equivalent).

• Proven experience applying AI-driven methods for protein design and engineering, such as AlphaFold, RFdiffusion, ProteinMPNN, or similar tools.

• Strong proficiency in data analysis and visualization, with a demonstrated ability to make data-driven decisions.

Preferred Skills:

• Extensive technical expertise across multiple facets of biologics design, including protein engineering, expression, purification, and characterization.

• Established track record in antibody engineering, including humanization and liability correction.

• Strong foundation in structural biology, specializing in X-ray, NMR, and cryo-EM techniques.

• Hands-on experience with AWS platforms and/or High-Performance Computing systems.

• Proficient in developing and maintaining Jupyter notebooks, writing clean and efficient code, and onboarding Anaconda environments.

#EligibleforERP

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 anothers thinking and approach problems collectively.

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

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

EEOC GINA Supplement

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 anothers thinking and approach problems collectively.

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

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 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 employees 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 .

You can apply for this role through (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):

OEB4, OEB5

Required Skills:

Biochemistry, Biophysics, Collaborative Communications, Detail-Oriented, Engineering Technology, Molecular Biology Techniques, Molecular Biophysics, Molecular Operating Environment (MOE), Protein Analysis, Protein Engineering, Results-Oriented, Rosetta Studio

Preferred Skills:

Antibody Engineering, Biologics, Biomedical Engineering, CryoEM, HPC, Jupyter Notebook, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), Patient Interactions, Protein Expression and Purification, Therapeutics

Job Posting End Date:

07/26/2025

*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.