Senior Principal Scientist, Quantitative Biosciences

MSD; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 214,000 - 337,000; Full time

Job summary

Merck & Co., Inc. in Boston, MA is seeking a Senior Principal Scientist to provide scientific and strategic leadership for mass spectrometry-enabled discovery within the Quantitative Biosciences group.

This role will shape the application of MS and quantitative pharmacology across discovery programs and advance high-impact science through collaboration with local and global teams. You will lead the Boston MS group, design MS-based assays, interpret data, and guide experimental strategy to inform

Qualifications

• Ph.D. or equivalent in biology, pharmacology, analytical chemistry, biochemistry, pharmaceutical sciences, or a related STEM discipline.
• 12+ years of relevant experience in pharma/biotech research; MS with 15+ years; BS with 16+ years.
• Deep expertise in mass spectrometry-based assay development and application to drug discovery.
• Proven leadership in a biopharma setting with impact on programs or platforms.
• Excellent communication and mentoring skills across multidisciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Boston mass spectrometry group in support of in vitro and in vivo pharmacology needs.
• Shape strategy for mass spectrometry-enabled assay development and quantitative pharmacology applications.
• Partner with multidisciplinary project teams to develop MS-based assays informing mechanism, potency, exposure, and translation.
• Provide scientific guidance to bench scientists and project teams on study design and data interpretation.
• Build connections across local and global QB networks to ensure rigorous deployment of MS capabilities.
• Mentor and develop scientists, fostering scientific rigor and collaboration.
• Communicate effectively in a collaborative environment to influence decisions.

Skills

Assay Development

Hit to Lead

In Vitro Pharmacology

In Vivo Pharmacology

Lead Optimization

Mass Spectrometry (MS)

Pharmacology

Education

Ph.D. or equivalent in biology, pharmacology, analytical chemistry, biochemistry, pharmaceutical sciences, or a related STEM discipline

12+ years of relevant experience in pharma/biotech research; MS 15+ years; BS 16+ years

Job description

Senior Principal Scientist - Boston, MA

Overview

We are seeking a Senior Principal Scientist to provide scientific and strategic leadership for mass spectrometry-enabled discovery within the Quantitative Biosciences group in Boston. This role will help shape the application of mass spectrometry and quantitative pharmacology across discovery programs, strengthen experimental decision-making, and advance high-impact science through close partnership with local and global teams.

In this role, you will:

• Lead the Boston mass spectrometry group in support of in vitro and in vivo pharmacology needs and serve as a key scientific partner to discovery teams across QB.
• Shape strategy for mass spectrometry-enabled assay development, experimental design, data interpretation, and quantitative pharmacology applications across discovery programs.
• Partner with multidisciplinary project teams to develop and execute mass spectrometry-based assays that inform mechanism, potency, selectivity, exposure-response, and translational decision-making.
• Provide scientific guidance to bench scientists and project teams, supporting assay selection, study design, mechanistic interpretation, and data-driven recommendations.
• Build and strengthen connections across the local Boston team and broader global QB network to ensure consistency, rigor, and effective deployment of mass spectrometry capabilities.
• Foster a culture of scientific rigor, critical thinking, collaboration, inclusion, and open dialogue that elevates organizational capability and decision quality.
• Mentor and develop scientists by providing technical guidance, strategic perspective, and constructive scientific challenge.
• Communicate effectively in a highly collaborative, multi-disciplinary environment and influence decisions across organizational boundaries.

Education

• Ph.D. or equivalent in biology, pharmacology, analytical chemistry, biochemistry, pharmaceutical sciences, or a related STEM discipline AND 12+ years of relevant experience in a pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or closely related research setting; MS and 15+ years of experience; OR BS and 16+ years of experience

Required Experience and Skills

• Deep expertise in mass spectrometry-based assay development and application to drug discovery.
• Strong understanding of the drug discovery process, including hit finding, hit-to-lead, lead optimization, and pharmacology-driven decision-making.
• Demonstrated experience applying quantitative pharmacology principles to interpret biological systems and guide experimental strategy.
• Proven record of scientific leadership in a biopharmaceutical setting, with evidence of impact on discovery programs, publications, external scientific reputation, or internal platform advancement.
• Experience leading, managing, mentoring, or developing scientists in a research environment.
• Track record of independently designing experiments, interpreting complex data, and translating findings into clear project recommendations.
• Ability to simplify complex scientific challenges into actionable strategies and influence alignment across multidisciplinary teams.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present scientific concepts clearly to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Highly self-motivated, organized, and able to prioritize across multiple simultaneous projects.
• Experience integrating mass spectrometry readouts with pharmacology, biology, DMPK, or translational science to support discovery decisions.
• Demonstrated ability to work across sites, functions, and organizational boundaries to drive scientific consistency and impact.

Required Skills:

• Assay Development
• Hit to Lead
• In Vitro Pharmacology
• In Vivo Pharmacology
• Lead Optimization
• Mass Spectrometry (MS)
• Pharmacology

Preferred Skills:

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:

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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.

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The salary range for this role is $214,100.00 - $337,000.00

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.

The application deadline for this position is stated on this posting.

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

Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, Rahway, NJ, USA.

Employee Status: Regular

Relocation: Domestic/International

VISA Sponsorship: Yes

Travel Requirements: No Travel Required

Flexible Work Arrangements: Not Applicable

Shift: Not Indicated

Valid Driving License: No

Hazardous Material(s): n/a

Job Posting End Date: 09/25/2026*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.