Director, Biology-Discovery

Merck; New Jersey; On-site; USD 230,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

Merck is seeking an experienced drug discovery scientist to lead the Screening and High Throughput Biology group within Quantitative Biosciences Early Discovery. The Director will guide a team of ~8 scientists, set scientific direction, and deploy screening capabilities across oncology, immunology, neuroscience, and more.

This role requires 4+ onsite days per week in Rahway, NJ, partnering with Discovery Chemistry, DMPK, and in vivo pharmacology to deliver high-quality data.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. with 10+ years in cell biology, biochemistry, pharmacology, molecular biology or related field.
• BS/MS with 15+ years of industry experience and leadership experience may be considered.

Responsibilities

• Set the scientific vision and strategy for the HTB group and define success metrics.
• Lead, develop, and retain a high-performing team of PhD scientists and associates.
• Apply HTB platforms (CRISPR, DRUG-seq, high content imaging, cell painting) for target ID and lead optimization.
• Translate program strategy into actionable experimental work streams.
• Provide quantitative interpretation of screening data to inform compound progression.

Skills

Assay Development

Cell Biology

Drug Development

Drug Screening

Functional Genomics

High-Throughput Screening

Laboratory Automation

People Management

Education

Ph.D. in a related discipline

B.S./M.S. with 15+ years industry leadership

Job description

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced drug discovery scientist and people leader to serve as Director of a Screening and High Throughput Biology group within Quantitative Biosciences Early Discovery. The successful candidate combines deep expertise in high throughput biology platforms with broad experience spanning target identification and validation, lead discovery and optimization. This individual will set scientific direction for the group, lead a team of approximately 8 scientists and associates, and deploy screening and HTB capabilities in direct support of drug discovery programs spanning multiple therapeutic areas including oncology, immunology, neuroscience, metabolic disease, ophthalmology, and infectious disease. The Director will operate within a highly matrixed environment, partnering closely with Discovery Chemistry, Discovery Biology, DMPK, and in vivo pharmacology to deliver high-quality, decision-enabling data that advances the portfolio. This role emphasizes leadership of lab-facing personnel and requires regular onsite presence (4+ days per week) in Rahway, NJ.

Key Responsibilities

• Works closely with Department Leadership to set the scientific vision and strategy for the group, defining priorities, success metrics, and standards for data quality and delivery in support of discovery programs
• Lead, develop, and retain a high-performing team through clear accountability, coaching, mentorship, and career development of PhD scientists, MS/BS associates, and contractors
• Apply high throughput biology platforms including CRISPR-based approaches, DRUG-seq, high content imaging, cell painting, and complex biological models to enable target identification, hit finding, compound profiling, and lead optimization
• Design and execute research operating plans that translate program strategy into actionable experimental work streams
• Provide quantitative, mechanistic, and pharmacologically grounded interpretation of screening and profiling data to inform compound progression decisions
• Partner cross-functionally to ensure HTB deliverables are integrated into program-level decision-making
• Foster a culture of scientific rigor, curiosity, and data-driven decision-making within the group
• Build and maintain internal and external networks that enhance the group’s capabilities, including management of CRO relationships and academic collaborations
• Evolve the group’s technology portfolio and capabilities in response to changing portfolio needs

Education

• Ph.D. with 10+ years in Cell Biology, Biochemistry, Pharmacology, Molecular Biology, Chemical Biology, Biophysics, or a related discipline
• BS/MS with 15+ years of directly applicable industry experience and a demonstrated track record of scientific leadership may also be considered

Required Experience and Skills

• 10+ years of relevant experience in pharmaceutical or biotechnology drug discovery
• Demonstrated expertise in high throughput biology platforms, with hands-on experience in one or more of: CRISPR screening, transcriptional profiling at scale (e.g., DRUG-seq), high content imaging, cell painting, or development of complex cellular models
• Track record of contributing to early drug discovery programs
• Experience designing and executing research operating plans in support of lead discovery
• Direct people management experience: building, leading, and developing teams of scientists in a lab-facing environment
• Strong cross-functional collaboration skills
• Quantitative rigor in experimental design, data analysis, and interpretation of cell-based assay pharmacology
• Excellent communication skills with ability to distill complex datasets into clear recommendations for stakeholders

Preferred Experience and Skills

• Background in quantitative sciences - quantitative pharmacology, biochemistry, or systems-level/mechanistic approaches to compound characterization
• Experience managing external collaborations including CROs and academic partnerships
• Familiarity with AI/ML tools, data science approaches, and laboratory automation as applied to cell-based drug discovery
• Program or project team leadership experience beyond people management
• Record of scientific contribution demonstrated through publications, patents, or recognized internal impact

Required Skills

• Assay Development
• Cell Biology
• Drug Development
• Drug Screening
• Functional Genomics
• High-Throughput Screening
• Laboratory Automation
• People Management

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, religio