Scientist, Cellular Pharmacology

  • Merck Company
  • Boston, Massachusetts
  • Full Time

Job Description

Our Research Scientists are our Inventors. We identify and target steps in disease mechanisms or pathways that could be inhibited or enhanced. Our goal is to isolate a compound that is effective against a disease target. Using innovative thinking, state-of-the-art facilities and robust scientific methodology we collaborate to discover the next medical breakthrough.

The Cell Pharmacology group in Department of Quantitative Biosciences is seeking a highly motivated Scientist with a background in immunology and oncology assays to join our company Research Laboratories in Boston. The primary responsibilities of the successful candidate will be to develop and characterize novel in vitro and ex vivo translational pharmacology assays to support autoimmune and cancer projects. These new assays will capture features of human biology to improve preclinical translation to the clinic efficacy.

Responsibilities:

  • Conduct routine molecular profiling bioassays to support the development of new therapeutics across diverse modalitiesincluding small molecules, peptides, biologics, and heterobifunctional therapeutics. Support pipeline programs across therapeutic areas, including oncology, autoimmunity, neuroscience, and metabolic disease.

  • Develop bioassays independently or in collaboration with senior scientists in the lab, execute assays at medium to high throughput, interpret and analyze the results of experiments, and successfully transfer assays onto automation platforms as needed.

  • Interpret data and communicate results to stakeholders and management in timely manner.

  • Meet project milestones and timelines.

  • Maintenance and propagation of cell lines, primary cell isolation and culture

  • Conduct studies for biomarker identification and mechanism of action studies as needed to understand pharmacology.

  • Implement novel technologies and approaches to solve program objectives and issues.

  • Document protocols and results, comply with all laboratory safety and environmental requirements.

  • Take on increasing responsibility within the Quantitative Biosciences group and on project teams as your skills develop.

  • Collaborate across our global Quantitative Biosciences and other partner networks to develop capabilities, advance therapeutic programs and grow our scientific capital.

Experience:

  • Proficiency in cell culture, passaging and harvesting.

  • Basic knowledge of lab automation and plate readers with an ability to propose new approaches and experimental designs as needed is preferred

  • Experience implementing and interpreting immunoassays involving blood and primary cell culture, such as flow cytometry, qPCR, ELISA, and major platforms such as Meso Scale Discovery and Alphalisa.

  • Experience with medium to high throughput assay-related data analysis and an appreciation for the related quantitative and statistical concepts.

  • Candidate should be a strong team player working across the organization with ability to adapt for changing priorities.

  • Effectively communicate, both verbally and written, experimental design, results, conclusions and issues to senior management, peers and cross-functional teams

  • Passion for innovation and problem solving.

Education Requirements:

  • A masters or bachelors degree in a relevant field (e.g. Biochemistry, Biology, Biotechnology, Molecular and Cell Biology, Pharmacology; Pharmaceutical Sciences) with a minimum of 1 year (with a master's) or 2 years (with a Bachelor's) of relevant laboratory experience in an industrial or applied academic/medical setting.

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.

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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

$96,100.00 - $151,200.00

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 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:

No relocation

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, and bloodborne pathogens

Required Skills:

Assay Development, Biochemistry, Cell Biology, Cell Culture Techniques, Cell Transfection, Communication, Data Analysis, Detail-Oriented, Dose Response Analysis, ELISA Techniques, In Vitro Assays, Molecular Biology Techniques, Social Collaboration

Preferred Skills:

Flow Cytometry, Immunoblots, Protein Assay

Job Posting End Date:

08/12/2025

*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.

Job ID: 488215513
Originally Posted on: 8/5/2025

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