Principal Scientist, High Throughput Production and Automation Group Leader, Discovery Biologics

Merck; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 194,000 - 306,000; Full time

Job summary

Merck in USA (Massachusetts, Boston) seeks a Principal Scientist to lead the High Throughput Production and Automation Group within Discovery Biologics. The role spans molecular biology, automated production, and integration with discovery teams to accelerate development of novel biologics.

The candidate will manage a 4-person team, drive automated workflows, engage with CROs, and mentor staff, while aligning with cross-disciplinary discovery objectives and an inclusive culture.

Qualifications

• PhD with 8+ years in industry or equivalent mix of advanced degrees and experience.
• Record of increasing responsibility in an industrial setting.
• Experience leading biologics discovery and HT production programs.

Responsibilities

• Provide scientific and strategic leadership to a team of 4 FTEs
• Lead automated workflow development and scale-up to support therapeutic pipelines
• Manage outsourcing CROs for molecular biology and protein production
• Partner with Discovery Biologics teams to meet organizational goals
• Oversee liquid handling platforms and peripheral equipment
• Co-lead therapeutic program collaborations with cross-functional areas
• Mentor scientists and foster high-performance culture
• Stay updated on external advances and enhance external reputation
• Champion inclusive culture within the group

Skills

Antibody Discovery

Assay Development

Automation

Biologics

Expression Vectors

High-Throughput Screening

Molecular Biology Techniques

People Management

Protein Expression and Purification

Structural Biology

Therapeutic Proteins

Education

PhD in Biochemistry, Computational Biology, Protein Engineering, Physics, Bioengineering, Molecular Biology, Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Science or related STEM field

Master’s with 12+ years relevant experience or Bachelor's with 14+ years experience in biochemistry or related field

Tools

Dynamic Devices

TECAN

Hamilton

Job description

Job Description

Principal Scientist, High Throughput Production and Automation Group Leader, Discovery Biologics

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.

Job Description

Principal Scientist, High Throughput Production and Automation Group Leader, Discovery Biologics

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 a scientific leader experienced in the intersection of protein sciences and automated solutions for the role of Principal Scientist (Director level) in the Boston Discovery Biologics group, which is an end‑to‑end vertically integrated Discovery organization. The candidate will serve a central role in the group by leading the molecular biology and high throughput protein production team within the Biologics Production and Engineering group in addition to matrix oversight of automated experimental solutions for the broader Boston Discovery Biologics organization. They will oversee the execution of high throughput production queue that translates our protein engineering team and hit identification team’s designs into screening sets of fit‑for‑purpose therapeutics. They will work closely with the Early Biotherapeutics Characterization team to streamline handoffs for deeper characterization and developability analysis of produced molecules prior to their release to project teams. The ideal candidate will have a deep expertise in the design and hands‑on execution of semi to fully automated high throughput approaches as they’re applied to biologics discovery. They will leverage their experiences advancing therapeutics from discovery into the clinic to optimize our ways of working and contribute to the success of all pipeline programs. The candidate’s holistic understanding of drug discovery will assist our organization as it directly integrates computational and wet‑lab approaches with state‑of‑the‑art automation to accelerate the discovery, engineering, and characterization of novel biologics in the pre‑IND pipeline.

As a people manager, they will invest in the growth and development of current and future staff to create a culture of collaboration and accountability that enables shared success. They will work closely with their team members to leverage strengths and identify opportunities to continually expand technical skillsets and enterprise thinking. They will work to support the department’s efforts to recruit highly skilled key talent to the organization and be a champion for inclusion. We recognize that 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 group of researchers to drive our core mission.

What You Will Do

• Provide scientific and strategic leadership to a team of 4 FTEs
• Lead continuous improvement of our physical and digital workflows as well as guiding future automated workflow expansion to continue delivering on tomorrow's therapeutic pipeline
• Manage outsourcing CROs for molecular biology and protein production to maximize the impact of our internal resources
• Effectively partner with teams within Discovery Biologics and across multidisciplinary interfaces to achieve organizational objectives
• Manage our fleet of liquid handlers (Dynamic Devices, TECAN, Hamilton) and associated peripheral equipment
• Leverage programmatic leadership experience to support and co‑lead Discovery Biologics therapeutic programs in collaboration with Therapeutic Areas
• Foster a culture of scientific excellence and collaboration by mentoring and developing scientists, leveraging individual strengths to build a high‑performing, engaged team
• Stay abreast of external advancements in relevant scientific fields and promote the external reputation of Discovery Biologics
• Be a champion for an inclusive culture
  

Qualifications

Education

• Ph.D. in Biochemistry, Computational Biology, Protein Engineering, Physics, Bioengineering, Molecular Biology, Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Science or related STEM field with 8+ years relevant industry experience, Master’s with 12+ years relevant industry experience or Bachelor's with 14+ years of relevant industry experience in biochemistry or related field
• Relevant experience to include a record of increasing responsibility and independence in a similar industrial setting
  

Required Experience And Skills

• Experience supporting biologic therapeutic discovery programs
• Extensive production group leadership experience with a track record of talent acquisition, retention, and development
• Deep expertise in state‑of‑the‑art high throughput molecular biology and protein production methodology
• Experienced in the development, adaption, and continued usage of integrated, automated biologic production and characterization platforms including automated data capture
• Ability to thrive in a fast‑paced matrixed reporting model in which your team will work on multiple projects in parallel
• Established external reputation through high‑impact publications, presentations, and/or scientific community engagement
  

Preferred Experience And Skills

• Therapeutic project leadership experience resulting in candidate selection and beyond
• Experience in protein therapeutics beyond antibodies including higher valency and complexity Fc containing therapeutics, fusion proteins, and antigens
• Leadership experience in the design and deployment of integrated walkaway automated biologic production and characterization platforms
  

Required Skills

Antibody Discovery, Assay Development, Automation, Biologics, Expression Vectors, High‑Throughput Screening, Molecular Biology Techniques, People Management, Protein Expression and Purification, Structural Biology, Therapeutic Proteins

Preferred Skills

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.

Requirements

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

Additional location(s)

USA - Massachusetts - Boston (MA Parcel B Laboratory)

Additional location(s) Compensation Information

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

Not Indicated

Valid Driving License

No

Hazardous Material(s)

OEB4

Job Posting End Date

• 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.

12/4/2026

Requisition ID

R423992

#EligibleforERP

Where required by law, the compensation range for this role is provided below.

The salary range for the primary location of this role is: $194,100.00 - $305,600.00

This range reflects the Company's reasonable expectation of the base salary applicable to this role at the time of 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.