Scientist, Molecular Discovery

Job Description

Our company is a global health care leader with a diversified portfolio of prescription medicines, vaccines and animal health products. The difference between potential and achievement lies in the spark that fuels innovation and inventiveness; this is the space where our company has codified its legacy for over a century.

Our Research and Development Division in San Diego is a cross-functional team (Discovery Biologics, Immunology, and Data Science) with the goal to discover and develop novel, innovative therapeutics in the field of Inflammation and Immunology. The Discovery Biologics Department is seeking a Scientist with expertise in  protein design, production and characterization to contribute to our Biologics portfolio. This position offers a great opportunity to be a part of the early scientific team, and a key interface within the global Discovery Biologics network and with Immunology and other functions across our company.  

The successful candidate will carry out experiments in the lab to build and support projects in the early discovery pipeline, with focus on innovative antibody-based therapeutics. We recognize that the diversity in our team is our strength and are dedicated to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Successful candidates should demonstrate attention to detail, ability to work efficiently and collaboratively, a desire to learn, and be adaptable to thrive in a dynamic team environment.

Key Responsibilities: 

• Express and purify therapeutic proteins, target antigens and the critical protein reagents required for advancing our biologics discovery  programs

• Test and characterize the developability of therapeutic proteins

• Screen novel therapeutic protein designs in biochemical and cell based assays

• Drive innovation by contributing to exploratory programs and platform technology development.

• Collaborating with teams on portfolio programs

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education:

• Bachelor’s (with 3+ years) or Master’s in molecular biology, biochemistry, structural biology or related discipline with relevant laboratory experience described below

Required Experience and Skills:

• Proficiency in protein purification methods including affinity chromatography, Ion exchange chromatography, and size exclusion chromatography

• Expertise culturing mammalian cells and utilizing for protein expression

• Experience generating protein expression constructs including vector selection, cassette design, cloning and validation.

• Demonstrated strong communication skills and ability to multi-task and work collaboratively in a cross-functional team environment.

• Excellent organizational skills and high attention to detail.

Preferred Experience and Skills:

• Previous experience in protein binding assays including ELISA, our company and cell-based binding assays

• Experience in stable expression systems

• Experience with high throughput technologies and automation platforms

#EligibleforERP 

Required Skills:

Chromatography, Cloning, Mammalian Cell Culture, Protein Expression, Protein Purification Methods, Validation, Vector Analysis

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

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 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

$87,300.00 - $137,400.00

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:

1st - Day

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

n/a

Job Posting End Date:

07/2/2026

*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.