Job Title
Conjugation Scientist
Location(s)
Merck (South San Francisco) - Customer Site CA
Job Description Summary
We are seeking a highly motivated and exceptional chemist for a position within a Discovery Chemistry Department located at a South San Francisco, CA site. The successful candidate will join multidisciplinary, highly collaborative discovery teams to invent novel medicines by applying optimized conjugation protocols, analytical techniques, and data analysis to synthesize drug candidates and intermediates.
Job Responsibilities
- Perform bioconjugations of linker-payload combinations to antibodies with emphasis on in-house established methods
- Select and apply appropriate purification techniques for biologics (i.e., SEC, hydrophobic interaction chromatography, ion exchange chromatography)
- Acquire and interpret analytical data such as LC/MS
- Document experimental results and present data to project teams
- Maintain training and compliance in areas of health and safety, security, environmental and operational aspects of daily activities in the working environment
- Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities of this job at any time.
Critical Skills
- Working knowledge of bioconjugation and analytical techniques such as HIC, SEC, RP chromatography, SDS-PAGE, and UV-Vis
- Strong foundation in organic chemistry and laboratory synthetic techniques
- Excellent interpersonal, collaboration, and communication skills in a team environment
- Ability to learn quickly through on-the-job training and become increasingly skilled and independent in reaction setup, route design, and optimization
Basic Qualifications
- B.S. or equivalent degree in chemistry, biochemistry, or related field, with industrial or academic experience with 2+ years of relevant work experience
Preferred Qualifications
- Hands-on experience with conjugation, purification, and characterization of antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs)
- Relevant experience applying organic synthesis to the design, preparation, and optimization of small molecules, linker-payloads, or related intermediates
- Experience independently designing, executing, and optimizing synthetic routes using modern synthetic techniques
- Knowledge of and experience interpreting biological activity data, including structure-activity relationships
- Working Environment: Must be able to work in a laboratory, controlled environments requiring personal protective equipment (e.g., lab coat, safety glasses, etc.) in laboratory. Job pace may be fast and job completion demands may be high. Must be able to remain in a stationary position more than 25% of the time. The person needs to occasionally move between labs, corridors, adjoining rooms, and buildings onsite. Frequently operate on instruments, objects, tools or controls, which will require regularly bending, squatting, stretching and reaching in order to perform in a service function. Occasionally move or lift up to 25 pounds (potential for occasional lifting of up to 50 pounds). Specific vision abilities required by this position include without limitation, the ability to observe details at close range distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus in order to perform the essential service functions of this position. Occasionally operates a computer and other office machinery, such as a calculator, copy machine, and computer printer. Employee may be required to handle hazardous waste according to local, state, and federal regulations. Duties may include identifying, handling, generating, accumulating, storing and labeling hazardous waste. Potential risk to lab-based hazards including but not limited to extreme temperature, biological materials, and hazardous chemicals. May be required to complete Medical Clearance, Respiratory Protection Training, and Fit Testing to wear a respirator as protection against hazards present in the laboratory environment.
Compensation
The annual compensation range for this full-time position is $76,000 to $102,000. The final base pay offered to the successful candidate will be determined by factors including internal equity, work location, as well as individual qualifications, such as job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.
Equal Opportunity & Diversity
PerkinElmer is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability status, age, or veteran status or any other characteristics protected by applicable law. PerkinElmer is committed to a culturally diverse workforce.
Company Culture
Are you ready to help improve the lives of millions of people and create a healthier world? When you work at PerkinElmer, that’s exactly what you’ll do. From our dedicated scientists and world-class operations employees to our innovative R&D professionals and committed sales and service groups, we’re a unique team of 5,000+ global colleagues who come to work every day knowing we’re making a difference. Through innovation, collaboration, and believing in our mission, we strive to create an inspiring and inclusive culture for our employees, so that they can be their best and, together, create a better tomorrow. Join us today.