Associate Scientist, Post Doc Fellow- Systems Immunology

MSD Malaysia; Spring House (PA); On-site; USD 82,000 - 92,000; Full time

Job summary

MSD Malaysia seeks a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Systems Immunology to join the Exploratory Vaccines and Regulated Bioanalytics team in Upper Gwynedd, PA. The fellow will lead a data-driven project advancing cellular immunology, transcriptomics, and computational modeling to predict vaccine adjuvant combinations.

This three-year fellowship offers opportunities to publish, present at scientific conferences, and gain experience in contemporary vaccine bioanalytics and systems immunology with

Qualifications

• Peer-reviewed publications, submitted manuscripts, or scientific talks demonstrate achievement.
• Hands-on experience with primary immune cell culture and functional assays.
• Experience characterizing immune responses with flow cytometry, multiplex cytokine assays, and molecular biology methods.
• Strong quantitative and analytical skills for interpreting complex biological datasets.
• Ability to advance research independently while collaborating across disciplines and communicating findings clearly.
• Ability to work safely with human specimens and BSL-2 practices.

Responsibilities

• Design, execute, and interpret in vitro adjuvant studies.
• Develop primary immune cell co-culture models and test antigen-adjuvant stimulations.
• Characterize cellular and transcriptional responses using flow cytometry and transcriptomics.
• Build predictive models of immune responses with automation and cross‑discipline collaboration.
• Publish results and present at conferences.
• Maintain accurate electronic records and ensure data integrity.

Skills

Peer-reviewed publications

Primary immune cell culture

Flow cytometry

Multiplex cytokine assays

Transcriptomics

Computational modeling

Data analysis

Scientific communication

Education

PhD in Immunology

PhD in Systems Biology

PhD in Bioengineering

PhD in Computational Biology

PhD in Cell Biology

PhD in Molecular Biology

Tools

RNA sequencing

Bioinformatics workflows

Computational programming

Automated liquid handling

High-throughput screening

Job description

Job Description Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Systems Immunology

Position Overview: We are seeking a highly motivated and innovative scientist for a postdoctoral fellowship join the Exploratory Vaccines and Regulated Robotics team within the Department of Regulated Bioanalytics at our company in Upper Gwynedd, PA. The fellow will lead a data-driven research project integrating cellular immunology, transcriptomic profiling, and computational modeling to develop predictive approaches for selecting vaccine adjuvant combinations. The successful candidate will work in state-of-the-art facilities, collaborate with multidisciplinary internal teams and external academic partners, and leverage advanced laboratory automation and immune-profiling technologies. This three-year fellowship provides opportunities to conduct high-impact basic and translational research, publish in peer-reviewed journals, present at scientific conferences, and gain experience in contemporary vaccine bioanalytics and systems immunology.

Responsibilities

• Design, execute, and interpret in vitro studies investigating adjuvant mechanisms, pattern-recognition receptor activation, and immune polarization.


• Develop primary immune cell co-culture models and evaluate responses to individual and combined antigen-adjuvant stimulations.


• Characterize cellular, cytokine, and transcriptional responses using multiparameter flow cytometry, multiplex cytokine assays, and transcriptomic approaches.


• Apply laboratory automation and collaborate with multidisciplinary scientists to develop and experimentally evaluate predictive models of combinatorial immune responses.


• Communicate research findings through peer-reviewed publications and presentations at scientific conferences.


• Maintain accurate, contemporaneous electronic laboratory records and adhere to data-integrity and BSL-2 safety requirements.

Education Minimum Requirement

Must currently hold a PhD OR Receive a Ph.D. no later than spring 2027.

• Ph.D. in Immunology, Systems Biology, Bioengineering, Computational Biology, Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, or a related scientific discipline.

Required Experience and Skills

• Record of scientific achievement demonstrated through peer-reviewed publications, submitted manuscripts, and/or scientific presentations.


• Hands-on experience with primary immune cell culture and functional cellular assays.


• Experience characterizing immune responses using flow cytometry, multiplex cytokine assays, molecular biology methods, or related technologies.


• Strong quantitative and analytical skills, including the interpretation of complex biological datasets.


• Ability to independently advance research while collaborating effectively across disciplines and communicating scientific findings clearly in oral and written formats.


• Ability to work safely with human biological specimens and cell lines under BSL-2 laboratory practices.

Preferred Experience and Skills

• Experience or strong interest in integrating wet-lab cellular immunology with computational or predictive approaches.


• Familiarity with one or more of the following: RNA sequencing or bioinformatics workflows; statistical modeling or computational programming; or automated liquid handling and high-throughput screening.


• Knowledge of vaccine adjuvant biology, innate immune signaling, and T-cell polarization.


• Familiarity with statistical analysis and data-visualization tools, such as GraphPad Prism, R, Python, or similar platforms.

Salary

• The salary range for this role is: $82,000- $92,000.


• 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.

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.

Required Skills (Tools & Techniques)

• Cell Culture Techniques


• Cellular Immunology


• Data Analysis


• Immunoassays


• Molecular Immunology


• Scientific Presentations


• Scientific Research


• Scientific Writing


• Statistical Analysis


• Systems Biology

Equal Employment Opportunity

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.

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.

Employee Status & Details

• Employee Status: Regular


• Relocation: Domestic


• 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: 10/12/2026

Company Overview

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.