Principal Scientist, Lab Platform Disruptive Technologies

Merck

Cambridge (MA)

On-site

USD 194,100 - 305,600

Full time

14 days+

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Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision insurance

401(k) retirement

Paid holidays

Vacation

Sick days

Job summary

Merck seeks a scientist to lead the development of next‑gen lab‑based technologies for rapid biologics discovery at the Cambridge, MA site. You will drive quantitative, high‑throughput assay platforms and mentor a team of lab scientists, partnering with data science groups to enable AI/ML‑driven discovery.

The role requires a PhD with 7+ years of industry experience (or MS/BS with 12+ years) and a strong track record in large‑scale assay development and cross‑functional leadership.

Qualifications

PhD or equivalent with 7+ years of industry experience (MS/BS with 12+ years acceptable).
Experience developing large-scale, high-throughput quantitative methods for biologics discovery.
Ability to translate published methods into internal capabilities with demonstrable impact.
Proven leadership track record in scientific teams.

Responsibilities

Develop rapid, quantitative, high-throughput lab capabilities for hit identification and optimization.
Build a technology platform roadmap for arrayed and pooled technologies.
Partner with computational biology and data science groups for integrated discovery workflows.
Drive data richness, speed, and throughput improvements.
Lead and mentor a team of lab-based scientists.
Contribute hands-on to method development and program impact.
Collaborate across geography and reporting lines.

Skills

Validated assays

Leadership

Data science collaboration

Biochemistry knowledge

Biophysical characterization

Cross-functional leadership

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Education

PhD in Biochemistry, Bioengineering, Chemical Biology, or related field

MS or BS with 12+ years industry experience

Tools

Lab-on-chip technologies

Protein arrays

Microfluidics

Quantitative assays

High-throughput screening

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.

Discovery Biologics Disruptive Technologies is seeking a talented and experienced scientist to lead the development and deployment of next‑gen lab‑based experimental technologies to enable rapid, data‑driven biologics discovery. This individual will identify and translate emerging, literature‑supported technologies into scalable internal capabilities, with a focus on multiplying both the scale and speed of quantitative data generation (e.g. binding measurements) to advance therapeutic programs via GenAI/ML‑driven discovery and iterative design‑make‑test cycles. The role includes leading a team with expectation for strong hands‑on contribution to method development, and will be accountable for driving measurable program and broader organizational impact. The role is based out of our Cambridge, MA facility.

Key Responsibilities

Develop and mature rapid, quantitative and high‑throughput lab‑based capabilities for biologics hit identification and optimization

Build and execute a technology platform roadmap for arrayed and pooled technologies, from proof‑of‑concept through widespread program adoption

Partner effectively with computational protein engineering and data science groups toward efficient, integrated next‑gen discovery workflows

Drive capability improvements in data richness, speed, throughput

Lead a talented team of lab‑based scientists

As a hands‑on individual contributor, realize and maximize program impact of emerging technologies

Collaborate effectively across geography and reporting lines

Establish rigorous benchmarks (e.g. throughput, speed, reproducibility, data quality) and success criteria

Qualifications & Experience

PhD in Biochemistry, Bioengineering, Chemical Biology, or related field with 7+ years directly relevant industry experience; MS or BS with 12+ years industry experience.

Experience developing large‑scale, high throughput quantitative experimental methods for biologics discovery

Experience translating published or externally developed methods into demonstrably valuable internal capabilities

Proven leadership track record

Required Skills

Demonstrated expertise advancing validated assays and methods toward broad organizational impact

Deep hands‑on expertise in one or more of:

Quantitative pooled binding assays (10k+ sequences)

Rapid and high throughput advanced endpoint assays (e.g. cell‑based function, stability, localization, etc)

Lab‑on‑chip technologies and protein arrays

Microfluidics

Proven success in leadership, talent development and mentorship

Strong understanding of biochemistry and biophysical characterization methods

Cross‑function project leadership track record

Strong ability to collaborate across reporting lines, especially with protein engineers and data scientists

Preferred Skills

Strong demonstrated understanding of protein structure‑function relationships

Experience applying in vitro transcription and translation (IVTT)

Direct experience in biophysical protein characterization

Therapeutic high throughput pre‑developability and developability assessment

Automation and scalable experimental workflows

Experience in workflows leveraging generative AI ML

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, 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 Affertainative 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 Learn more about your rights, including under California, Colorado and other US State Acts 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.

Salary Range for this Role

$194,100.00 - $305,600.00

Benefits