Director, Biochemistry

MSD; Rahway (NJ); On-site; USD 191,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

MSD is seeking a Director to lead the biochemistry team within QB Early Discovery in Rahway, NJ. You will guide pharmacologists and mass spectroscopists, shape assay strategy, and advance hit-to-lead programs while collaborating across disciplines to drive innovation and data-driven decisions.

You will champion new technologies, ensure high-quality data, and contribute to a high-performance, inclusive culture with external collaborations and scientific visibility.

Qualifications

• Strong leadership, mentoring and stakeholder management skills.
• Deep expertise in biochemical assay development across multiple target classes.
• Experience with fluorescence, luminescence, kinetic/readouts and MS-based detection.
• Knowledge of AI/ML concepts in data analysis and assay automation.
• Experience advancing hits from screening to lead optimization.

Responsibilities

• Lead biochemists, mass spectroscopists and pharmacologists; mentor and develop staff.
• Own biochemical assay strategy across early discovery programs; support target validation and hit-to-lead efforts.
• Implement HTMS workflows in screening campaigns and assay development.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to translate biochemical data into program decisions.
• Establish standards for assay quality, reproducibility and reporting.
• Drive data capture strategies aligned with FAIR and ML principles.
• Lead external collaborations and manage CROs as needed.
• Participate in leadership activities and long-range capability planning.
• Stay updated on field advancements and foster external scientific visibility.

Skills

Leadership & people mgmt

Biochemistry assay dev

High-throughput screening

Mass spectrometry workflows

Drug discovery

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

PhD in Biochemistry/Pharmacology

Tools

Echo-MS

Mass spectrometry

Job description

Job Description

At our company, we are committed to improving the health and well-being of people around the world. As a leading global pharmaceutical company, we strive to make a difference through innovative research, discovery, and development of life-saving medications and vaccines. With over a century of experience and a steadfast dedication to scientific excellence, we have become a trusted name in the industry. Join our team and be a part of our mission to create a healthier future for all.

We are looking for an exceptional Director to spearhead our biochemistry team within the Quantitative Biosciences (QB) Early Discovery organization. The ideal candidate will be an expert in pharmacology and drug discovery, responsible for guiding and inspiring a local team of pharmacologists with expertise in biochemical assay workflows and High-Throughput mass spectrometry. Facilitated through strong leadership, this role involves forging alliances with cross-functional collaborators, championing new technologies and interfacing with our global pharmacology network. The successful candidate will play an important role in evolving our Early Discovery organization into an industry leader. If you are a dynamic collaborator with an unwavering passion for making a positive impact on global health, we want you to join us in our mission to save and improve lives.

In this role you will:

• Lead and manage a team of biochemists, mass spectroscopists & pharmacologists, providing guidance, mentorship, accountability, and professional development opportunities.
• Own biochemical assay strategy across early discovery programs, including assay design, target validation support, hit identification, hit confirmation, mechanism-of-action studies and hit-to-lead enablement.
• Responsible for the implementation of High-Throughput Mass Spectrometry (Echo-MS) workflows in screening campaigns and assay developments when indicated
• Partner with screening, medicinal chemistry, structural biology, pharmacology, computational sciences and therapeutic area teams to translate biochemical data into actionable program decisions.
• Establish scientific standards and best practices for assay quality, reproducibility, data interpretation and decision-ready reporting.
• Implement data capture strategies and workflows consistent with FAIR principles and machine-learning.
• Collaborate towards integrated characterization of screening hits, tool molecules and early leads through joint implementation of orthogonal workflows with leaders in protein biochemistry, biophysics and mass spectrometry.
• Participate in operations, strategy advancement and talent development for the department as a member of the leadership team.
• Stay abreast of advancements in the field & drive innovation through technology development, external collaboration & long-range capability planning.
• Contribute to a high-performance culture of inclusion, collaboration, engagement and self-accountability.
• Foster external scientific visibility through publications, presentations, conference participation and scientific community engagement.
• Represent the QB/Pharmacology function at program team meetings, due diligence exercises and cross-functional teams as needed.
• Ensure compliance with company established practices and procedures, including laboratory notebooks, computer files, quality and regulatory guidelines, and safety standards.

Qualifications

Education

• Post-graduate degree in Biochemistry, Pharmacology or another related field with 10+ years of relevant industry experience: Ph.D. (10+ years), M.Sc. (12+ years) or B.Sc. (15+ years).

Required Experience and Skills

• Strong leadership, management and mentoring skills, with an ability to lead through others, drive performance, make tough decisions, and foster a culture of collaboration and engagement.
• Deep expertise in biochemical assay development and characterization across multiple target classes (enzymes, transcription factors, protein-protein interactions, etc.)
• Strong understanding of enzyme kinetics, binding thermodynamics, and structure-activity relationship.
• Hands-on experience with diverse biochemical concepts including fluorescence & luminescence detection, kinetic & endpoint readouts, binary/ternary complex assay formats, and mass spectrometry-based detection workflows.
• Knowledge of assay automation, high-throughput screening, and data analysis methodologies embedded in AI/ML concept considerations.
• Experience with therapeutic modalities such as targeted protein degradation, molecular glues, covalent inhibitors, or allosteric modulators.
• Understanding of drug discovery processes from target identification through clinical candidate nomination and proven track record of successfully advancing hits from screening campaigns into lead optimization and early clinical development.
• Strong external reputation as evidenced through high-impact publications, presentations, and scientific community engagement.
• Excellent verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills with a proven track‑record of maintaining strong relationships with stakeholders.

Preferred Experience and Skills

• Expertise in protein biochemistry and biophysical techniques and workflows is advantageous.
• Prior experience with mass spectrometry-based screening approaches is beneficial.
• Data capture workflow implementation experience consistent with ML principles is preferred.
• Experience in outsourcing and managing external collaborations (including CROs) is advantageous.
• Prior experience leading cross-functional teams in an early drug discovery setting is desirable.
• Prior experience implementing novel technologies to impact early drug discovery is beneficial.

Required Skills Keywords

• Biochemistry, biochemical assay, screening, people management, pharmacology, lead identification, in vitro assays, drug discovery

Required Skills

Assay Development, Biochemistry, Biophysics, Ethical Compliance, Functional Genomics, High-Throughput Screening, Innovation, In Vitro Assays, Lead Identification, People Leadership, Strategic Leadership, Target Discovery

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. Please click here if you need an accommodation during the application or hiring process.

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:

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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.

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The salary range for this role is

$190,800.00 - $300,300.00

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. More information about benefits is available at https://jobs.merck.com/us/en/compensation-and-benefits.

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

1st - Day

Valid Driving License

No

Hazardous Material(s)

N/A

Job Posting End Date

09/18/2026

*A job posting is effective until 11:59:59PM on the day BEFOREthe listed job posting end date. Please ensure you apply to a job posting no later than the day BEFORE the job posting end date.