Senior Scientist, Antibody Generation & Automation

MSD Malaysia; South San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 131,000 - 207,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision benefits

401(k) retirement plan

Paid holidays and vacation

Job summary

Merck in South San Francisco seeks a Senior Scientist to support antibody generation and automation in the Molecular Discovery group. You will execute automated liquid handling, program workflows, and optimize high-throughput antibody screening to assess binding and function.

The role involves planning experiments, collaborating with cross-functional teams, and ensuring quality and safety across projects. Experience with Hamilton systems, ELISA and flow cytometry is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree (with 7+ years), Master’s (with 4+ years) or Ph.D. in a relevant biological science field and relevant experience.
• Proven experience with automated liquid handling platforms and robotic automation.
• Strong hands-on experience with ELISA and flow cytometry (FACS).
• Experience in planning experiments, troubleshooting, and managing multiple tasks.

Responsibilities

• Execute automated liquid handling to support routine lab workflows.
• Develop, validate, and optimize high-throughput antibody screening methods.
• Support HTS platforms, assay design, and integration of new technologies.
• Document and present data and project updates to cross-functional teams.
• Ensure compliance with safety and quality standards.

Skills

Antibodies Discovery

Automation

ELISA

Flow Cytometry

Laboratory Automation

Robotic Liquid Handlers

Liquid Handling

Assay Design

Data Analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher in biological sciences

Ph.D. or Master's is a plus

Tools

Hamilton Microlab STAR

Robotic arms

Python

SQL

Job description

Job Description

We are recruiting a Senior Scientist to support antibody generation and automation in our Molecular Discovery group located in South San Francisco.

Key Responsibilities

Execute automated liquid handling processes to support routine lab workflows, including protein normalization, serial dilution, cherry picking, and NGS library preparation. Use programming or scripting skills (e.g., Python, SQL, R) to support data processing, workflow automation, or instrument integration. Optimize, implement, and validate automated methods for high-throughput antibody screening and characterization to assess binding and functional attributes. Support the expansion of high-throughput screening (HTS) platforms, assay design, and the evaluation and integration of novel technologies. Perform general laboratory bioassay screening competently and independently, modifying and troubleshooting experimental design, methods, and instrumentation to meet evolving project needs. Independently analyze and interpret experimental results, placing data in proper scientific context through review of relevant literature. Perform cell culture of a variety types of cells to support characterization of antibodies and related biologics. Document, summarize, and report data clearly and accurately, including preparation of presentations for team and project meetings. Work on multiple projects in a fast-paced, multidisciplinary team environment, collaborating effectively with cross-functional partners. Manage project priorities, timelines, and deliverables across multiple workstreams, ensuring clear alignment with project goals and stakeholder expectations. Communicate project status, risks, next steps, automated assay development progress, troubleshooting outcomes, and key project data proactively through presentations and updates to project teams, automation working groups, group meetings, project leads, and cross-functional partners to support timely decision-making. Adhere to good laboratory practices, maintain accurate records, and ensure compliance with relevant safety and quality standards.

Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s (with 7+ years), Master’s (with 4+ years) or Ph.D. in a relevant biological science field and relevant experience.

Required Experience and Skills: Proven experience with automated liquid handling platforms (e.g., Hamilton Microlab STAR) and robotic arms or similar automation technologies. Capability to program, configure, and troubleshoot methods using liquid handler software to support automated workflow development and optimization. Strong, hands-on experience with assays, such as ELISA and flow cytometry/FACS. Experience independently planning experiments, troubleshooting, and managing multiple concurrent laboratory tasks or projects. Experience training laboratory users on the execution of automated methods. Experience overseeing daily laboratory operations, including EHS compliance, best practices, and related operational systems.

Preferred Experience and Skills: Prior hands-on experience contributing to the evaluation, development, or implementation of innovative technologies that enable de novo antibody discovery workflows, such as microfluidics-based platforms, genetic or mRNA immunization approaches, single-cell screening, or other high-throughput discovery technologies. Working knowledge of antibody discovery and characterization, protein engineering, and biologics modality design, with demonstrated ability to apply scientific understanding to support laboratory automation, assay development, and high-throughput discovery workflows.

Required Skills: Antibodies, Antibody Discovery, Automation, Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA), Flow Cytometry, Laboratory Automation, Laboratory Robotics, Laboratory Techniques, Laboratory Technology, Liquid Handling, Robotic Liquid Handlers. Preferred Skills: (none listed beyond above).

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.

If you need an accommodation during the application or hiring process, we are committed to providing one.

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.

The salary range for this role is $131,400.00 - $206,800.00.

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.

Employee Status: Regular

Relocation: Domestic/International

VISA Sponsorship: Yes

Travel Requirements: No

Flexible Work Arrangements: Not Applicable

Shift: 1st - Day

Valid Driving License: No

Hazardous Material(s): N/A

Our company is a global health care leader with a diversified portfolio of prescription medicines, vaccines and animal health products. The difference between potential and achievement lies in the spark that fuels innovation and inventiveness; this is the space where we have codified our legacy for over a century. Our success is backed by ethical integrity, forward momentum, and an inspiring mission to achieve new milestones in global healthcare.