Senior Scientist, Biology-Discovery

MSD; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 119,000 - 188,000; Full time

Job summary

MSD in Boston, MA is seeking a Senior Scientist to join the Discovery Oncology team. The role focuses on developing cancer therapeutics, leading projects, and generating high-quality data to advance goals.

The candidate will work independently and with multidisciplinary teams to design experiments, analyze results, and communicate findings. The ideal candidate has strong wet-lab skills in molecular/cellular biology, experience with oncology drug discovery, and robust data analysis, with

Qualifications

• PhD with 0-2 years postdoc/industry experience in cancer biology, pharmacology, immunology or related field.
• MS with 4+ years industry experience.
• BS with 7+ years industry experience.
• Strong wet-lab experience in molecular and cellular biology.
• Experience supporting oncology drug discovery and data-driven decisions.
• Experience with flow cytometry, Incucyte, and cell-based assays.
• Ability to collaborate with in vivo pharmacology teams.
• Strong data analysis and presentation skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and optimize assays for oncology projects.
• Design and execute well-controlled experiments.
• Analyze data, interpret results, and troubleshoot issues.
• Generate actionable insights to inform project decisions.
• Present progress updates at team and department meetings.
• Contribute to multiple projects simultaneously.

Skills

Flow cytometry

Incucyte

Cell viability

CRISPR

shRNA

Lentiviral methods

Protein analysis

Western blotting

Biomarkers

Data analysis

GraphPad Prism

FlowJo

Education

Ph.D. with 0-2 years postdoc/industry

MS with 4+ years industry

BS with 7+ years industry

Tools

GraphPad Prism

FlowJo

JESS

ELISA

Meso Scale Discovery

Job description

Job Description

We are seeking a highly qualified and motivated Senior Scientist to join the Discovery Oncology team in Boston. The ideal candidate must possess a strong scientific foundation, excellent technical skills, and a track record of contributing to cancer drug discovery research.

This role will support and lead research projects focused on developing cancer therapeutics. The successful candidate will work both independently and collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams to generate high-quality data and advance project goals. Key responsibilities include developing and optimizing assays, designing and executing well‑controlled experiments, analyzing data, interpreting results, troubleshooting arising issues, and generating actionable insights to inform project decisions. The Senior Scientist will present progress updates at internal team and departmental meetings and will contribute to multiple projects simultaneously.

Education

• Ph.D. degree with 0-2 years of postdoctoral or industry experience, preferably in cancer biology, pharmacology, immunology, molecular biology, biochemistry, or related field
• Or M.S. degree with 4+ years of industry experience
• OR B.S. degree with 7+ years of industry experience

Required experience and skills

• Demonstrated experience supporting and advancing oncology drug discovery programs through data-driven decision making and contributions recognized through publications, presentations, or conference abstracts.
• Strong, hands‑on wet lab experience in molecular and cellular biology techniques
• Experience with multi-color flow cytometry, Incucyte, cell viability assays, engineering cell line models (e.g., CRISPR, shRNA, lentiviral transduction, etc.)
• Experience with protein and biomarker analysis, including Western blotting, JESS, ELISA/ Meso Scale Discovery
• Ability to collaborate with in vivo pharmacology teams to support endpoint sample analysis, including processing and characterization of tumor and primary tissue samples
• Proficiency in data analysis and interpretation, with a sound understanding of statistical concepts and software, such as GraphPad Prism and FlowJo
• Demonstrated ability to work independently to design experiments, troubleshoot technical challenges, interpret results, and recommend next steps
• Strong written, verbal, and presentation skills with the ability to communicate scientific findings effectively to audiences

Preferred experience and skills

• Previous experience working with different therapeutic modalities in an industry setting, such as small molecules and biologics
• Demonstrated ability to thrive in a highly collaborative, cross‑functional research environment

Required Skills

• Assay Development
• Assay Development
• Biochemical Assays
• Biologics
• Biomarkers
• Biopharmaceuticals
• Cancer Immunotherapy
• Cancer Research
• Cancer Therapy
• Cell Culture Techniques
• Data Generation
• Design of Experiments (DOE)
• Detail‑Oriented
• Drug Discovery Research
• Drug Target Identification
• Experimental Methods
• Flow Cytometry
• High Content Screening
• Immunoassays
• Immunology
• In Vivo Models
• Molecular Biology
• Pharmaceutical Research
• Pharmacology
• Researching {+ 5 more}

Equal Employment Opportunity

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 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 $119,100.00 - $187,500.00

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

Employee Status: Regular

Relocation: Domestic

VISA Sponsorship: Yes

Travel Requirements: 10%

Flexible Work Arrangements: Not Applicable

Shift: Not Indicated

Valid Driving License: No

Hazardous Material(s): n/a