Scientist, Wet Lab Automation (On-site)

msd; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 98,000 - 154,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

401(k)

Paid holidays

Vacation

Sick days

Job summary

Merck & Co., Inc. in Cambridge, MA seeks an Automation Scientist to operate, maintain, and optimize automation platforms supporting drug discovery. You will develop scalable workflows, troubleshoot systems, and ensure compliant, high‑quality data generation across projects.

The role requires hands‑on experience with automated liquid handlers and robotics, proficiency in experimental design, and strong collaboration with biologists, IT, and analytical teams.

Qualifications

• Extensive hands‑on experience in laboratory automation for molecular biology applications.
• Strong focus on high‑throughput genomic technologies such as single‑cell RNA‑seq, Olink HT, CRISPR‑based screens, and 3D cell culture models.
• Proven ability to develop, optimize, validate, and execute automation workflows at scale (e.g., across multiple 96‑ or 384‑well plates).
• Proficiency with a wide range of liquid handlers and robotic systems (Biomek, Hamilton, Echo, etc.).
• Strong experimental design, with excellent documentation skills (SOWs, SOPs).
• Demonstrated problem‑solving, critical thinking, and analytical abilities.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with biologists, data analysts, and SMEs to implement scalable automation workflows for reproducible data generation.
• Design and execute large‑scale automation protocols for single‑cell and molecular assays using diverse robotic instruments.
• Engage cross‑functionally to drive early drug discovery efforts under tight timelines.
• Communicate objectives and results through presentations and reports to stakeholders and leadership.

Skills

Laboratory automation

High‑throughput genomics

Single-cell RNA‑seq

CRISPR screens

Robotic systems

Experimental design

Documentation

Education

Master's degree in engineering or life sciences

Bachelor's degree with 3+ years hands-on automation experience

Tools

Biomek

Combi

BlueWasher

Cytomat

Precise

Staubli

WDII

Pherastar

Echo

Hamilton

FAST

Job description

Job Description

Job Summary

We are seeking a highly motivated Automation Scientist to join the Data, AI & Genome Sciences team at our Company Research Laboratories in Cambridge, MA. In this role, you will operate, maintain, and optimize advanced automation platforms and laboratory instrumentation to support drug discovery and development programs. The successful candidate will manage multiple projects, develop and improve automated workflows, analyze experimental results, troubleshoot system issues, and ensure reliable operation of automated systems. Experience with automated liquid handlers, laboratory robotics, and analytical instruments is required, along with strong attention to detail, problem-solving skills, and the ability to follow and validate scientific protocols in a fast-paced, innovative environment.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate closely with experimental biologists, data analysts, and therapeutic area subject matter experts to develop and implement scalable automation workflows that enable high-quality, reproducible data generation in a timely manner.

• Design and execute large-scale automation protocols for cutting-edge single-cell and molecular assays (e.g., Parse-seq, 10x Flex, CROP-seq/Perturb-seq, Olink HT, immune profiling, Multiome ATAC-seq), high-throughput CRISPR screens, and complex 3D model generation using a variety of liquid handlers and robotic instruments.

• Proactively engage with cross-functional teams across Genome Sciences, Discovery & Analytical Genomics Sciences (DAGS), Therapeutic Areas (TAs), and IT to drive impact on early drug discovery efforts under accelerated timelines.

• Clearly communicate objectives, assay protocols, and experimental results through detailed presentations and reports to stakeholders and senior leadership.

Education – Minimum Requirement

• Master’s degree in engineering or life sciences

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or life science with a minimum of 3 years of hands‑on experience in laboratory automation within academia, pharmaceutical, or biotechnology settings.

Required Skills & Experience

• Extensive hands‑on experience in laboratory automation for molecular biology applications, with a strong focus on high-throughput genomic technologies such as single-cell RNA-seq, Olink HT, CRISPR‑based screens, and 3D cell culture models.

• Proven ability to develop, optimize, validate, and execute automation workflows at scale (e.g., across multiple 96- or 384‑well plates).

• Proficiency with a wide range of liquid handlers and robotic systems, including but not limited to: Biomek, Combi, BlueWasher, Cytomat, Precise, Staubli, WDII, Pherastar, Echo, Hamilton, FAST.

• Strong grasp of experimental design principles, with excellent organizational and documentation skills (e.g., drafting SOWs, SOPs).

• Demonstrated problem‑solving capabilities, critical thinking, and analytical skills.

• Outstanding communication skills—both written and verbal—with the ability to effectively train and mentor molecular biologists across a broad range of automation experience levels.

EligibleforERP

Required Skills: Assay Development, Automated Liquid Handling Systems, Automation, Biologics, Cell Biology, Cell Culture Techniques, CRISPR-Cas System, Data Analysis, Genomics, In Vitro Assays, Laboratory Automation, Laboratory Techniques, Molecular Biology Techniques, Robotics

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: EEOC Know Your Rights EEOC GINA Supplement Learn more about your rights, including under California, Colorado and other US State Acts

The salary range for this role is

$98,000.00 - $154,300.00

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

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.

Employee Status

Regular

Relocation

Domestic

VISA Sponsorship

No

Travel Requirements

10%

Flexible Work Arrangements

Not Applicable

Shift

1st - Day

Valid Driving License

No

Hazardous Material(s)

n/a

Job Posting End Date

10/3/2026

*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.