Principal Scientist, Antibody Discovery Innovation

HireLifeScience; South San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 176,000 - 277,000; Full time

Job summary

Merck & Co. in South San Francisco seeks a Principal Scientist to lead in vivo antibody discovery strategies within the Discovery Biologics group. You will drive cross-functional projects, oversee technology development, and mentor teams to advance challenging targets with aggressive timelines.

The role requires a Ph.D. with 8+ years in relevant sciences, a track record of therapeutic antibody discovery leadership, and strong communication and collaboration skills in a dynamic biotech

Qualifications

• Ph.D. with 8+ years in biophysics, biochemistry, structural biology or related field.

Responsibilities

• Provide holistic leadership for in vivo antibody discovery strategies, including operations and innovation.
• Lead technology development initiatives to improve hit quality and reduce timelines.
• Guide cross-functional discovery teams and partner with therapeutic area scientists.
• Contribute to strategic goals in pipeline advancement and scientific excellence.

Skills

Antibody drug discovery

Adaptive immunity

B-cell biology

Leadership

Publications & presentations

Communication & collaboration

Project leadership

Education

Ph.D. in Biophysics/Biochemistry/Structural Biology

Job description

Job Description

We are on a quest for cures and are committed to be the world's premier, most research-intensive biopharmaceutical company. Our teams combine leading drug discovery capabilities and world-class R&D with the purpose of turning breakthrough science into life-changing medicines.

We are seeking an exceptional and experienced scientist in the role of Principal Scientist in the South San Francisco Discovery Biologics group. The qualified candidate will be a scientist with a breadth and depth of expertise in immunization-based antibody discovery, including but not limited to expertise in adaptive immunity and B-cell biology, immunogen design, and experience with multiple hit finding platforms (e.g. high throughput microfluidics & NGS), in order to improve existing antibody discovery processes to help meet the needs for challenging targets and aggressive timelines. They will work closely with other team members and groups throughout the organization to help manage, perform, and troubleshoot antibody discovery programs.

We recognize that the diversity in our team is our strength, and we are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Successful candidates must demonstrate inclusive behaviors in working with a diverse group of researchers to drive our core mission.

What you will do:

• Provide holistic leadership for in vivo antibody discovery strategies encompassing operations, innovation, and externalization
• Propose and lead technology development initiatives for in vivo de novo antibody discovery to increase candidate hit quality and decrease timelines
• Lead and participate in cross-functional discovery project teams in partnership with therapeutic area scientists
• As a member of the Antibody Generation leadership team, will work across groups within Discovery Biologics and with departments across Our Company's enterprise to set and deliver on our strategic goals in pipeline advancement, scientific excellence, and talent development
• Foster a high-performance growth mindset culture of collaboration, engagement, self-accountability, and inclusion
• Stay abreast of external advancements in relevant scientific and technology fields
• Promote the external reputation of our company's Discovery Biologics department

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education:

• Ph.D. (with 8+ years) in biophysics, biochemistry, structural biology or related science discipline and relevant industry experience

Required Experience and Skills:

• Extensive experience in antibody drug discovery supporting therapeutic programs
• Depth of knowledge in adaptive immunity and B-cell biology
• Track record of driving scientific and platform innovations
• Experience leading therapeutic antibody discovery campaigns
• Track record of leading high-performance teams
• Established external reputation through publications, presentations, and/or scientific community engagement
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously

Preferred Experience and Skills:

• Ideal candidate will have experience in protein therapeutics beyond traditional mAbs including alternative non-Ig scaffolds, multi-specifics, fusion proteins, and ADCs
• Experience utilizing AI/ML to support lead identification and/or lead optimization efforts

Required Skills: Antibody Discovery, Antibody Therapeutics, B Cells, Biochemistry, Biologics, Biophysics, Immune Response, People Management, Program Leadership, Structural Biology

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.

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/International

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:

10/31/2026

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.

Requisition ID:

R418515

Salary Range:

$176,200.00 - $277,300.00

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.

Benefits:

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.

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

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: