Associate Scientist, Post Doc Fellow- Systems Immunology

MSD; Upper Gwynedd Township (Montgomery County); On-site; GBP 62,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

MSD is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Systems Immunology to join the Exploratory Vaccines and Regulated Bioanalytics team in Upper Gwynedd, PA. The role focuses on data-driven studies integrating cellular immunology, transcriptomics, and computational modeling to predict effective vaccine adjuvant combinations.

The fellow will work with multidisciplinary teams, utilize advanced immune profiling and automation, and publish high-impact research over a three-year period.

Qualifications

• PhD in Immunology, Systems Biology, Bioengineering, Computational Biology, Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, or related field.
• 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.

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 antigen‑adjuvant stimulations.
• Characterize cellular, cytokine, and transcriptional responses using multiplex cytokine assays and transcriptomic approaches.
• Apply laboratory automation and collaborate to develop predictive models of combinatorial immune responses.
• Communicate findings through publications and conferences.
• Maintain accurate electronic laboratory records and adhere to BSL‑2 safety requirements.

Skills

Cell Culture Techniques

Cellular Immunology

Data Analysis

Immunoassays

Molecular Immunology

Scientific Presentations

Scientific Research

Scientific Writing

Statistical Analysis

Systems Biology

Education

PhD in Immunology

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 and Benefits

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.

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.

Required Skills

Cell Culture Techniques, Cellular Immunology, Data Analysis, Immunoassays, Molecular Immunology, Scientific Presentations, Scientific Research, Scientific Writing, Statistical Analysis, Systems Biology

Preferred Skills

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: EEOC Know Your Rights EEOC GINA Supplement

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

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

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*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.