Senior Scientist, Biologics Discovery & Interactions

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

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Long-term incentive

Comprehensive benefits

401(k)

Job summary

MSD in South San Francisco, CA seeks a senior scientist to lead molecular interaction studies and oversee assay development for biologics discovery. You will design, execute, and interpret complex kinetic and affinity experiments, generating high-quality data to guide molecule selection and program direction.

The role emphasizes platform optimization, cross-functional collaboration, mentorship, and communication of risks and recommendations, with a focus on innovation and scientific excellence.

Qualifications

• Independent design, execution, and interpretation of complex experiments, including kinetic and affinity studies of protein interactions.
• Biomolecular interactions, protein characterization, and quantitative assay development expertise.
• Hands-on experience with interaction analysis platforms such as SPR, Carterra, Biacore, BLI, KinExA.

Responsibilities

• Scientific Leadership and Project Support: Design, execute, troubleshoot, and interpret molecular interaction studies guiding program direction.
• Generate high-quality data using molecular interaction and cell-based assays to support optimization and risk assessment.
• Partner with multidisciplinary teams to define assay strategies, prioritize samples, deliver results on schedule, document methods and conclusions.
• Platform Development and Innovation: Apply molecular interaction platforms to support biologics discovery.
• Develop and optimize assay formats, automation, data analysis, and visualization workflows to improve throughput and data quality.
• Evaluate and integrate new technologies and establish reproducible protocols for knowledge transfer.
• Mentorship: Apply rigorous experimental design and troubleshooting; mentor junior scientists while maintaining safety and data integrity.
• Work independently on complex studies and collaborate in a multidisciplinary research environment.
• Maintain knowledge of advances in molecular interactions and biologics discovery.
• Contribute to scientific presentations, publications, IP, and development of junior scientists.

Skills

Molecular interactions

Protein characterization

Quantitative assay development

Cell-based assays

Kinetic studies

Affinity studies

Flow cytometry

Epitope binning

Platform data visualization

Education

Bachelor's degree in Biological sciences

Master's degree in Biological sciences

PhD in Biological sciences

Tools

Surface plasmon resonance

Carterra

Biacore

Biolayer interferometry

KinExA

Flow cytometry

Job description

MSD in South San Francisco, CA seeks a senior scientist to lead molecular interaction studies and oversee assay development for biologics discovery. You will design, execute, and interpret complex kinetic and affinity experiments, generating high-quality data to guide molecule selection and program direction.

The role emphasizes platform optimization, cross-functional collaboration, mentorship, and communication of risks and recommendations, with a focus on innovation and scientific excellence.