Associate Principal Scientist, 3D Translational Stem Cell Models, Immunology

MSD; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 145,000 - 228,000; Full time

Job summary

MSD in Cambridge, MA is seeking an Associate Principal Scientist to develop 3D translational stem cell models and multi-omics approaches within the Genome Science group. You will work at the intersection of translational immunology, stem cell biology, and biomarker science to drive discovery-stage programs.

You will lead multidisciplinary teams, integrate diverse data types, and contribute to publications while collaborating with internal and external partners.

Qualifications

• PhD in Immunology, Biology, Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Biological Engineering, Biotechnology, or related STEM with 3+ years of industry/academic experience.
• Strong background in stem cell biology, 3D translational model development, and human biospecimen research.
• Hands-on with primary cells from human samples or stem cell-derived models.
• Experience with bulk or single-cell transcriptomics and data interpretation.
• Experience generating multi-omics datasets from stem cell models for insights.
• Ability to design, execute, and interpret complex biology studies linked to clinical hypotheses.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and scientific communication skills.
• Ability to lead projects and collaborate with cross-functional teams.
• Proven publication record.

Responsibilities

• Design and run hands-on experiments to develop 3D translational stem cell models and multi-omics platforms.
• Develop human 3D models and co-cultures to identify biomarkers and targets.
• Integrate multimodal data with 3D models to generate actionable insights.
• Lead study planning, design, execution, data interpretation, and presentation to stakeholders.
• Collaborate with biologists, automation engineers, computational scientists, data analysts, and subject matter experts.
• Contribute to publications, internal reports, and presentations as needed.
• Collaborate across teams including Discovery Immunology, Translational Medicine, and external partners.
• Communicate results to project teams and leadership, proposing follow-up experiments.

Skills

3D Cultures

Assay Development

Immunology

Biochemical Assays

Biochemistry

Cell Biology

Organoid Culture

Stem Cell Culture

Omics

Translational Medicine

Mammalian Cell Culture

Translational Stem Cell Models

Biomarker Discovery

Data Integration

Education

PhD in Immunology, Biology, Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Biological Engineering, Biotechnology, or related STEM

Job description

Associate Principal Scientist, Genome Science – 3D Translational Stem Cell Models, Immunology

Location: Cambridge, MA,

Department: Data, A.I. and Genome Sciences

The Data, A.I. and Genome Sciences Department is seeking a highly motivated Associate Principal Scientist to join our Genome Science research team in Cambridge, MA. In this experimental biology role, you will develop 3D translational stem cell models in collaboration with the Discovery Immunology Therapeutic Area. This position offers the opportunity to work at the intersection of translational immunology, stem cell biology, and advanced biomarker science.

As a member of this team, you will collaborate with cross-functional teams of experimental biologists, data scientists, automation engineers, computational scientists, and Discovery Immunology stakeholders to advance biomarker discovery, translational science, and target validation. The successful candidate will contribute to the development of innovative human translational models and data-driven biological insights that support discovery-stage programs.

Key Responsibilities:

• Design and execute hands-on laboratory experiments to develop novel 3D translational stem cell models and functional and multi-omics platforms that generate data-driven biological insights.
• Develop human 3D models and co-culture systems to identify and validate novel biomarkers and targets.
• Design and execute experiments integrating multimodal data types, such as bulk transcriptomics, single-cell transcriptomics, flow cytometry, cytokine assays, and other multi-omics platforms, with 3D translational models to generate actionable biological insights.
• Lead study planning, experimental design, execution, data interpretation, and presentation of findings to internal stakeholders and leadership.
• Collaborate closely with experimental biologists, automation engineers, computational scientists, data analysts, AI/ML scientists, and therapeutic area subject matter experts to address biological questions, develop experimental strategies, and execute project plans.
• Contribute to scientific publications, internal reports, and presentation materials as needed.
• Work collaboratively across multidisciplinary groups, including Discovery Immunology, ChemBio, Translational Medicine, Research IT, and external academic and industry partners.
• Communicate study results to project teams and leadership, including proposals for follow-up experiments to validate key findings.

Required Qualifications:

• PhD in Immunology, Biology, Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Biological Engineering, Biotechnology, or a related STEM discipline with 3+ years of industry, pharma, academia, or combined experience
• Strong background in stem cell biology, 3D translational model development, and human biospecimen-based research.
• Hands-on experience isolating primary cells from human biospecimens, stem cell culture, differentiation, and assay development using primary cells or stem cell-derived model systems.
• Experience with bulk and/or single-cell transcriptomics using primary cells or stem cell-derived model systems, including experimental design and data interpretation.
• Experience generating multi-omics datasets from stem cell-derived translational models to enable biologically meaningful and clinically relevant insights.
• Proven ability to design, execute, and interpret complex studies that connect mechanistic biology to clinical hypotheses.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and scientific communication skills.
• Ability to lead scientific projects and collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams.
• Proven research accomplishments with a strong publication record.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, with the ability to present scientific data and project updates to different audiences, including senior leadership.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated experience with iPSC culture, maintenance, gene editing, or differentiation.
• Experience developing human 3D models, organoids, or co-culture systems.
• Familiarity with CRISPR-based functional genomics and/or spatial transcriptomics using 3D translational stem cell models.
• Ability to clearly communicate experimental design, results, and conclusions in a collaborative research environment.

Required Skills:

3D Cultures, Assay Development, Autoimmune Diseases, Biochemical Assays, Biochemistry, Cell Biology, Fibrosis, Immunology, Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell (IPSC), Inflammatory Diseases, Mammalian Cell Culture, Omics, Organoid Culture, Stem Cell Culture, Translational Medicine

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.

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:

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

The salary range for this role is $144,800.00 - $227,900.00

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.

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/International

VISA Sponsorship: Yes

Travel Requirements: 10%

Flexible Work Arrangements: Not Applicable

Shift: Not Indicated

Valid Driving License: No

Hazardous Material(s): n/a

Job Posting End Date: 09/25/2026*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.