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

Socket.dev; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 145,000 - 228,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental benefits

Vision benefits

401(k) retirement plan

Paid holidays

Vacation

Job summary

Socket.dev is seeking an Associate Principal Scientist to develop 3D translational stem cell models and multi-omics platforms in Cambridge, MA. You will work with immunology and translation teams to generate data-driven insights and biomarkers for discovery programs.

The role involves leading experimental design, data interpretation, and cross-functional collaboration across biology, automation, data science, and IT teams in a fast-moving research environment.

Qualifications

• PhD in a STEM discipline with 3+ years of relevant experience in industry, pharma, academia, or combined.
• Strong background in stem cell biology, 3D translational model development, and human biospecimen research.
• Hands-on experience isolating primary cells and working with stem cell cultures and assays.
• Experience with bulk and/or single-cell transcriptomics and data interpretation.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute hands-on experiments to develop 3D translational stem cell models and multi-omics platforms.
• Develop human 3D models and co-culture systems to identify biomarkers and targets.
• Integrate multimodal data (bulk/single-cell transcriptomics, flow cytometry, cytokines) with 3D models.
• Lead study planning, design, execution, data interpretation and presentation to stakeholders.
• Collaborate across teams to address biological questions and project plans.
• Contribute to publications, internal reports, and presentations as needed.
• Work with internal and external partners to advance discovery programs.
• Communicate study results to teams and leadership with follow-up experiment proposals.

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

Education

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

Job description

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.

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

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 another’s thinking and approach problems collectively.

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The salary range for this role is

$144,800.00 - $227,900.00

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.

• medical
• dental
• vision healthcare and other insurance benefits (for employee and family)
• retirement benefits, including 401(k)
• paid holidays
• vacation
• compassionate and sick days

More information about benefits is available at https://jobs.merck.com/us/en/compensation-and-benefits.

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.