Associate Scientist, Post Doc Fellow- Viral Immunology & Antibody Discovery

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

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Long-term incentive

Medical, dental, vision insurance

401(k) retirement plan

Job summary

Merck & Co., Inc. in West Point, PA seeks a Postdoctoral Fellow in Viral Immunology & Antibody Discovery to isolate monoclonal antibodies and map epitopes for vaccine design.

PhD in immunology/virology required; experience with ELISA, neutralization assays, flow cytometry, and molecular biology is essential. Competitive salary, annual bonus, and comprehensive benefits offered.

Qualifications

• PhD in Immunology, Virology, Molecular Biology, or related field.
• Experience with antigenic characterization and epitope mapping.
• Experience with ELISA and neutralization assays.
• Proficiency in molecular biology techniques and cell culture.

Responsibilities

• Isolate monoclonal antibodies from human samples.
• Map epitopes and characterize functional properties.
• Collaborate with internal and external teams; publish findings.

Skills

Epitope mapping

ELISA

SPR

Cell culture

PCR

Cloning

Transfection

Data analysis

Publication

Communication

Education

PhD in Immunology/Virology

Tools

BD Symphony

LSR II

FACSAria

Sony SH800

Octet/BLI

SPR

Job description

Job Description Postdoctoral Fellow, Viral Immunology & Antibody Discovery Position Overview

We are seeking a highly motivated and creative Postdoctoral Fellow to join our Infectious Diseases & Vaccines Discovery group at our West Point, PA site. The successful candidate will join a dynamic, multidisciplinary team to work on the discovery and functional characterization of monoclonal antibodies against viral pathogens. The postdoctoral fellow will be responsible for isolating novel mAbs from human samples, mapping their epitopes, and characterizing their functional properties to define critical antigenic sites. This research will inform next-generation vaccine design, and the fellow will work closely with internal and external collaborators to provide novel insights into antigenicity.

Education Minimum Requirement

Must currently hold a PhD OR Receive a Ph.D. no later than spring 2027 Ph.D. in Immunology, Virology, Molecular Biology, or a related field.

Required Experience and Skills

• Hands-on experience using antibodies as tools for antigenic characterization (e.g., epitope mapping).
• Experience with immunological assays such as ELISA and neutralization assays.
• Familiarity with protein interaction analysis (e.g., Octet/BLI, SPR).
• Hands-on experience with aseptic cell culture, including primary human cells.
• Proficiency in standard molecular biology techniques (PCR, cloning, transfection).
• Demonstrated ability to independently design, execute, and troubleshoot experiments.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze data and publish findings.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and critical thinking skills.

Preferred Experience and Skills

• Hands-on experience in monoclonal antibody discovery from primary B cells.
• Familiarity with flow cytometry platforms including BD Symphony, LSR II, FACSARIA, and Sony SH800.
• Background in respiratory viruses.
• Track record of publications in peer-reviewed journals.
• Experience with advanced immunological techniques, such as polyclonal serum depletion and competition assays, is a plus.

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: Antibodies, Cell Culture Techniques, Cellular Immunology, Data Analysis, Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA), Immunoassays, Molecular Cloning, Vaccine Development, Virology

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

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 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.

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.