Assoc. Scientist,Post Doc Fellow

MSD Malaysia; Singapore; On-site; SGD 77,000 - 102,000; Full time

Job summary

Merck & Co., Inc. seeks a Postdoctoral Fellow for Single-Cell Transcriptomics for Target and Biomarker Discovery in a global biopharma setting. The role spans cell biology, single-cell technologies, and data science to develop analytical capabilities that shape drug discovery and translational research.

The fellowship emphasizes methodological advances, biological insights, collaborations across multiomics and translational teams, and disseminating findings via publications and conferences.

Qualifications

• PhD in cancer biology, molecular or cell biology, functional genomics, or related discipline.
• Track record of publications or conference presentations.
• Experience with mammalian cell biology and molecular biology techniques.

Responsibilities

• Design loss-of-function and gain-of-function perturbation studies (RNAi, CRISPR) in cell lines.
• Characterise perturbation effects via qRT-PCR, immunoassays, Western blots, microscopy.
• Develop high-throughput single-cell RNA-seq workflows for perturbation studies.
• Collaborate with data scientists and biologists to analyse omics data.
• Develop strategies to uncover disease mechanisms and generate biomarker hypotheses.
• Publish results through peer-reviewed papers and conference presentations.

Skills

Academic Research

Adaptability

Analytical Chemistry

Biology

Biomarkers

Cell Biology

Cell Culture Techniques

Computational Biology

CRISPR‑Cas System

Data Analysis

Omics

Programming Languages

Education

PhD in cancer biology or related

Tools

RNAi

CRISPR

High-content imaging

Job description

Postdoctoral fellow, Single-Cell Transcriptomics for Target and Biomarker Discovery, Quantitative Biosciences

At our company, we are committed to becoming the premier, research-intensive biopharmaceutical company and are dedicated to providing leading innovations and solutions for today and the future. Our Research Scientists serve as the driving force behind our Innovations. We identify and target mechanisms or pathways involved in the disease process, and invent novel treatments/therapeutics to address unmet medical needs. This exceptionally COMPLEX task represents one of the most MULTIDISCIPLINARY endeavours in the field. INNOVATION also thrives at that intersection of multiple disciplines! In this role as a Postdoctoral fellow, Single-Cell Transcriptomics for Target and Biomarker Discovery, you will have the opportunity to work at that intersection of disciplines to shape innovation in single-cell technologies, target and biomarker sciences, influence pipeline decisions, and contribute to a research-driven environment with industry-leading expertise.

This role is within the Multiomic Sciences team, Quantitative Biosciences, at our state-of-the-art research laboratory in Biopolis, Singapore.

If you are PASSIONATE about applying your expertise to address critical unmet needs and accelerate the discovery and development of new drugs, we invite you to join us in pioneering the future of target and biomarker research for the biopharmaceutical industry.

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT …

• Opportunity to design and execute experiments integrating cellular models of cancer, functional perturbation, and single-cell transcriptomics, to investigate cancer biology, target mechanisms, and therapeutic biomarkers
• Opportunity to collaborate with an interdisciplinary team spanning data science, multiomics technologies, cell biology and translational pharmacology, and drug discovery
• Opportunity to grow within a supportive research environment that encourages scientific innovation, publication, conference participation, career development, and continuous learning

WHAT YOU WILL DO …

In this role as a Postdoctoral Fellow, Single-Cell Transcriptomics for Target and Biomarker Discovery, you will work at the intersection of cell biology, single-cell transcriptomics technologies, and data science to develop innovative analytical capabilities and apply them to important biomedical and translational research challenges. You will contribute to a research-driven environment with industry-leading expertise while generating both methodological advances and biological insights that can help shape future approaches to target and biomarker discovery and accelerate drug development. A key expectation of this fellowship is the dissemination of scientific advances through peer-reviewed publications and presentations at leading scientific conferences.

Your responsibilities will include, but not be limited to:

• Designing and executing loss-of-function and gain-of-function perturbation studies using RNAi, CRISPR knockout, CRISPR activation in cell lines and complex cellular models of disease
• Characterising the effects of target perturbation using molecular and cellular assays, including qRT-PCR, immunoassays, Western blots, microscopy and high-content imaging
• Developing, optimising, and deploying high-throughput single-cell RNA-seq and related workflows for perturbation studies
• Partnering with data scientists, multiomics technologists, and biologists to analyse and interpret single-cell and other omics datasets
• Developing analytical strategies to uncover disease mechanisms, identify novel therapeutic targets, and generate biomarker hypotheses
• Investigating target mechanisms of action and biological pathways relevant to human disease
• Communicating your results to internal stakeholders and the wider scientific community through presentations, publications, posters, and other conference contributions

Required Experience and Skills:

• Ph.D. in cancer biology, molecular or cell biology, functional genomics, or related discipline
• Track record of scientific publications in peer-reviewed journals and/or presentations at leading scientific conferences, demonstrating the ability to independently drive research from concept through dissemination
• Experience with mammalian cell biology and molecular biology techniques, e.g. cell culture, nucleic acid isolation, RT-qPCR, immunoassays, western blots, microscopy and high-content imaging
• Experience with functional perturbation techniques, e.g. RNAi, CRISPR-based approaches
• Familiarity with high-dimensional transcriptomics workflows, e.g. bulk RNA-seq, single-cell RNA-seq, and the interpretation of aforementioned datasets to generate biological insights
• Scientific curiosity, creativity, a passion for innovation, and motivation to learn new skills
• Strong teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to thrive in a highly collaborative and multidisciplinary environment while independently driving research projects and managing multiple priorities and timelines

Preferred Experience and Skills:

• Experience with RNA/DNA QC platforms such as the Agilent Bioanalyzer or TapeStation
• Experience with complex, translationally relevant cellular models of disease e.g. organoids and related 3D models, tissue explants
• Experience with automation and high-throughput cell‑based screening techniques
• Knowledge of cancer biology and therapeutic target discovery

Required Skills:

• Academic Research
• Academic Research
• Adaptability
• Analytical Chemistry
• Biology
• Biomarkers
• Cell Biology
• Cell Culture Techniques
• Computational Biology
• CRISPR‑Cas System
• Data Analysis
• Disease Models
• Drug Discovery Research
• Functional Genomics
• Gene Expression Analysis
• High‑Throughput Screening
• Immunoassays
• In Vivo Mouse Models
• Mathematical Biology
• Mechanism of Action
• Molecular Biology
• Omics
• Pathogenesis
• Pharmaceutical Translations
• Programming Languages {+ 8 more}

Employee Status: Temporary (Fixed Term) Relocation: VISA Sponsorship: Travel Requirements: Flexible Work Arrangements: Not Applicable Shift: Valid Driving License: Hazardous Material(s): Job Posting End Date: 10/31/2026 *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.

Preferred Skills: Current Employees apply HERE Current Contingent Workers apply HERE 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.

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 we have codified our legacy for over a century. Our success is backed by ethical integrity, forward momentum, and an inspiring mission to achieve new milestones in global healthcare.