Job Description
We are on a quest for cures and are committed to be a premier, 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 a highly motivated scientist with experience in an academic or biopharmaceutical laboratory setting. The ideal candidate will have exceptional organizational and interpersonal skills along with a solid background in life sciences. The selected individual will join the Discovery Biologics group at our company and will be responsible for designing, cloning, and delivering transfection-ready plasmid DNA using an established high-throughput platform. Additionally, delivery of DNA at larger scales will be needed. The successful candidate will manage the cloning and DNA prep workflows, ensure the integrity, traceability, and timely processing of samples, and troubleshoot issues with cloning or automation when they arise. This position will interface with other functional groups within project teams including in vitro and in vivo discovery teams, protein engineering, and protein production.
Key Responsibilities
Delivery of high-quality plasmid DNA for expression of antibodies or binding proteins for therapeutic programs.
Apply standard molecular biology methods and automation to clone DNA sequence outputs from antibody discovery platforms into suitable expression vectors.
Independently manage multiple experiments with flexibility and efficiency in a collaborative environment.
Manage molecular biology workflows and databases.
Identify, troubleshoot, and resolve technical challenges in cloning, DNA preparation, and automation processes.
Optimize and implement process improvements.
Maintain inventory of in-house generated stocks of cloning reagents and purchased consumables necessary to carry out cloning and DNA purification workflows.
Buffer and media preparation.
Required Qualifications
Bachelor’s in Biochemistry or related discipline with ≥2 years of hands-on post-graduate industry experience, or Master’s in Biochemistry or related discipline with hands-on industry experience.
Hands-on experience with PCR, plasmid construction, purification, and QC
Proficiency with sample registries (e.g Dotmatics, GeneData Biologics, Benchling) and/or DNA cloning software (e.g. Geneious Prime, SnapGene, Benchling) for sequencing analysis.
Strong organizational skills with meticulous attention to detail.
Effective communicator with the ability to collaborate across cross-functional teams and adapt to changing priorities.
Preferred Qualifications
Proficiency in operating one or more automated liquid handling platforms (Hamilton, Echo, Q-Pix).
Experience with plate-based high-throughput plasmid cloning workflows.
Experience with primer design.
#EligibleforERP
Required Skills:
Adaptability, Antibody Discovery, Automated Liquid Handling Systems, Biochemistry, Bioinformatics, Biological Sciences, Biologics, Cell Culture Techniques, Cell Transfection, Cloning, Detail-Oriented, DNA Cloning, DNA Sequencing, Expression Vectors, Gene Cloning, High-Throughput Screening, Molecular Biology, Molecular Biology Techniques, Molecular Microbiology, Plasmid Cloning, Plasmid Preparations, Plasmids, Process Improvements, Protein EngineeringPreferred Skills:
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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:
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
$98,000.00 - $154,300.00This 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:
RegularRelocation:
No relocationVISA Sponsorship:
NoTravel Requirements:
No Travel RequiredFlexible Work Arrangements:
Not ApplicableShift:
Not IndicatedValid Driving License:
NoHazardous Material(s):
Standard lab reagents, biohazardous materials, BSL2Job Posting End Date:
06/14/2026*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.