Associate Principal Scientist, Automation & Screening (Biologics Discovery)

MSD; South San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 160,000 - 251,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Long-term incentive

Medical/dental/vision benefits

Retirement plan (401(k))

Paid holidays and vacation

Job summary

Merck & Co., Inc. in South San Francisco is seeking an Associate Principal Scientist to lead automation for antibody discovery and characterization.

You will merge automation with bioassay expertise and direct a small team to deliver scalable, decision-enabling capabilities in a matrixed research setting. The role focuses on developing automated workflows, coordinating with protein sciences, data sciences, and engineering to advance programs from early discovery to candidate selection, with a

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's (with 10+ years), Master's (with 6+ years) or Ph.D. (with 4+ years) in a relevant biological science or related field and relevant experience.
• Demonstrated scientific leadership directing complex laboratory automation or high throughput screening activities across multiple programs.
• Hands on experience with automated liquid handling platforms, such as the Hamilton Microlab STAR, robotic arms, and related automation software, including method programming, configuration, and troubleshooting.
• Experience with Python, SQL, R, or related tools for data processing, workflow automation, or instrument integration.
• Strong experience with binding and cell-based assays, including ELISA and flow cytometry or fluorescence activated cell sorting.
• Ability to translate scientific needs into scalable workflows, define experimental plans, resolve complex technical issues, and manage priorities and resources across concurrent biotherapeutic discovery workstreams.
• Prior experience managing or supervising a small team of automation scientists, including coaching, performance feedback, and professional development.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and influencing skills in a matrixed research organization.

Responsibilities

• Develop and advance automated workflows for antibody discovery and characterization.
• Combine automation and bioassay expertise with strategic and operational leadership.
• Manage a small team of scientists, establish priorities, and support team development.
• Deliver robust, scalable, and decision enabling capabilities.

Skills

Automation leadership

High-throughput screening

Liquid handling automation

Python/SQL/R data processing

Flow cytometry

ELISA

Team supervision

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree (biological sciences)

Master's degree

Ph.D.

Tools

Hamilton Microlab STAR

Robotic arms

Automation software

Method programming

Job description

Job Description We are recruiting an Associate Principal Scientist to support our Molecular Discovery group located in South San Francisco. Antibody Generation within Discovery Biologics delivers differentiated therapeutic antibodies through innovative discovery, screening, and characterization approaches. We collaborate across protein sciences, data sciences, engineering, and therapeutic area teams to advance programs from early discovery through candidate selection. We are seeking an innovative scientific leader to develop and advance automated workflows for antibody discovery and characterization in South San Francisco. The Associate Principal Scientist will combine automation and bioassay expertise with strategic and operational leadership, manage a small team of scientists, establish priorities, and support team development while delivering robust, scalable, and decision enabling capabilities.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's (with 10+ years), Master's (with 6+ years) or Ph.D. (with 4+ years) in a relevant biological science or related field and relevant experience.
• Demonstrated scientific leadership directing complex laboratory automation or high throughput screening activities across multiple programs.
• Hands on experience with automated liquid handling platforms, such as the Hamilton Microlab STAR, robotic arms, and related automation software, including method programming, configuration, and troubleshooting.
• Experience with Python, SQL, R, or related tools for data processing, workflow automation, or instrument integration.
• Strong experience with binding and cell-based assays, including ELISA and flow cytometry or fluorescence activated cell sorting.
• Ability to translate scientific needs into scalable workflows, define experimental plans, resolve complex technical issues, and manage priorities and resources across concurrent biotherapeutic discovery workstreams.
• Prior experience managing or supervising a small team of automation scientists, including coaching, performance feedback, and professional development.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and influencing skills in a matrixed research organization.

Preferred Experience and Skills

• Experience training laboratory users, standardizing automated methods, and overseeing safe and compliant laboratory operations.
• Experience evaluating or implementing innovative antibody discovery technologies, such as microfluidics, genetic or messenger RNA immunization, single cell screening, or other high throughput approaches.
• Strong knowledge of antibody discovery, characterization, NGS, protein engineering, and biologics modality design.
• Contributions to publications, intellectual property, technology strategy, or external collaborations.

#EligibleforERP Required Skills: Antibodies, Antibody Discovery, Automation, Cell-Based Assays, ELISA Techniques, Flow Cytometry, Laboratory Automation, Laboratory Robotics, Laboratory Techniques, Liquid Handling, People Management, Robotic Liquid Handlers, Team Supervision Preferred Skills:

US and Puerto Rico Residents Only:

The primary location for this posting is: USA - California - South San Francisco (Grand Ave)

Where required by law, the compensation range for this role is provided below. The salary range for the primary location of this role is: $159,600.00 - $251,200.00 This range reflects the Company's reasonable expectation of the base salary applicable to this role at the time of 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.

Additional location(s): Please note the salary range above applies to the Primary Location of the position. Where a role has other listed locations, different compensation guidelines may apply. You may find the salary ranges for additional locations below. If the salary range is not listed for the location you are applying to, our Talent Acquisition team will provide further information to you relevant to your location.

Additional location(s) Compensation Information

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

Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, Rahway, NJ, USA

Employee Status: Regular

Relocation: Domestic/International

VISA Sponsorship: Yes

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: 11/4/2026 *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.

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.