Senior Scientist - In Vitro Neuroimmunology- Boston, MA

Merck & Co.; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 119,000 - 188,000; Full time

Job summary

Merck & Co. in Boston, MA is seeking a Senior Scientist to lead in vitro disease modeling for CNS targets. You will design and execute cell-based assays, develop IPSC-derived models, and generate datasets to advance therapeutic programs.

Independent but collaborative, you will interpret multidimensional data, publish findings, and support translational research across disciplines, with 90% lab time.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. required with post-doctoral or industry experience.
• Thrive independently and in a team.
• Experience with CNS iPSC culture and complex in vitro tri-culture models.
• Immunocytochemistry and molecular biology workflows.
• Strong data analysis skills; willingness to apply AI tools.

Responsibilities

• Develop and troubleshoot new cell-based assays and analysis methods.
• Lead complex experimental programs and interpret multidimensional datasets.
• Isolate/characterize tissues, PBMCs and iPSC-derived cells using molecular techniques.
• Provide scientific oversight of external research activities and collaborations.
• Communicate data clearly to teams and stakeholders.
• Integrate literature and advances to shape internal strategy.
• Contribute to model development and publication of findings.

Skills

IPSC models

CNS iPSC culture

Microglia culture

Translational in vitro studies

Data analysis & AI tools

Molecular biology techniques

Immunocytochemistry

Communication & publication

Education

Ph.D. in Molecular Cell Biology, Neuroscience, Pharmacology or related field

Tools

NanoString

RNA-seq

PCR

Western blot

ELISA

Job description

Job Description

Our Company's Neuroimmunology team in Boston, MA is seeking an independent and motivated scientist with a background in cell biology, immunology, and/or neuroscience to join us in validating and advancing novel neuroimmune targets for CNS diseases. As a Senior Scientist, you will apply your knowledge and skillsets to establish assay systems, shape experimental strategies, and deliver datasets and analyses that will impact pipeline programs. Working in this lab-based position, your primary role will be design and execute in vitro experiments including establishing and characterizing cell-based model systems with a focus on induced pluripotent stem cell (IPSC) models. This role will serve as a scientific leader supporting both established and emerging therapeutic discovery programs through the application of advanced in vitro disease modeling and translational research approaches. Successful candidates will be able to work independently and will be expected to proactively collaborate with colleagues across disciplines. The candidate will be an active participant in the positive and critical scientific dialogue that supports our mission of discovering novel immune-based therapies for CNS diseases.

Responsibilities

• Developing, executing, and troubleshooting new cell-based assays, protocols, and analysis methods.
• Design and lead complex experimental programs, interpret multidimensional datasets, and communicate scientific recommendations that influence project strategy and key research decisions.
• Perform the isolation/characterization of tissues, whole blood, PBMCs and iPSC-deri‑ved cell populations using immunocytochemistry, DNA/RNA isolation, PCR, NanoString, RNA-seq and other molecular biology techniques.
• Provides scientific oversight of external research activities and collaborations, including study design, protocol review, data interpretation, and integration of externally generated findings into program decision-making.
• Excellent oral and written communication of data in a clear and concise manner to the appropriate teams and stakeholders.
• Serve as a scientific subject matter expert by integrating emerging scientific literature, competitive intelligence, and technological advances to shape internal research direction and strategy.
• Contribute to scientific innovation through development of novel model systems, evaluation of emerging technologies, publication of research findings, and presentation of results to internal and external scientific audiences.

Qualifications

Education

• Ph.D. in Molecular Cell Biology, Neuroscience, Pharmacology, Biology or related field with post-doctoral or industry experience

Required Skills

• Demonstrated ability to thrive independently and in a team environment.
• Extensive experience with CNS iPSC cell culture including constructing complex in vitro Tri-culture models.
• Experience culturing immune cell lines, primary murine microglia and iPSC-derived microglia.
• Provides recognized scientific expertise in the design, execution, and interpretation of complex in vitro and translational studies, generating mechanistic insights that advance target validation, therapeutic strategy, and drug discovery decision-making.
• Strong data analysis skills including a strong willingness to leverage AI tools for conducting data quality controls on both small and large datasets.
• Application of standard laboratory cell culture procedures including DNA transfection, viral delivery and immunocytochemistry. Independently able to perform tissue and cellular protein/RNA preps, quantitative PCR, western blots, and ELISAs.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including preparation of study reports, presentations and being able to contribute manuscripts for publication in peer reviewed journals.
• Demonstrated record of scientific innovation, thought leadership, and problem solving as evidenced by impactful publications, scientific presentations, patents, technology development, or contributions to drug discovery programs.
• This position requires 90% of time in the lab.

Preferred

• Primary neuronal/astrocyte culture experience.
• Application of high-content imaging to cell-based assays.
• Experience with multiple therapeutic modalities (small molecule, antibody, peptide, siRNA).
• Experience in neuroscience and pharmaceutical research; Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and ALS disease experience preferred.

Required Skills

Alzheimer's Disease, Alzheimer's Disease, Antibody Discovery, Biochemistry, Cell-Based Assays, Cell Biology, Cell Lines, Detail-Oriented, High-Throughput Screening, Immunocytochemistry (ICC), Independent Research, Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell (IPSC), In Vitro Experiment, In Vitro Research, Leadership, Lentiviral Vectors, Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS), Molecular Biology, Molecular Biology Techniques, Neuroimmunology, Neuroscience, Pharmaceutical Research, Professional Networking, Protein Analysis, Protein Engineering {+ 8 more}

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.

Employee Status

Regular

Relocation

Domestic

VISA Sponsorship

No

Travel Requirements

No Travel Required

Flexible Work Arrangements

Not Applicable

Shift

Not Indicated

Valid Driving License

No

Hazardous Material(s)

OEB4, BSL2, Bloodborne pathogens

Job Posting End Date

11/17/2026

*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.

Requisition ID

R424545

Primary Location

USA - Massachusetts - Boston (MA Parcel B Laboratory)

Compensation

Where required by law, the compensation range for this role is provided below.

The salary range for the primary location of this role is: $119,100.00 - $187,500.00

Additional location(s)

Please note the salary range above applies to the Primary Location of the position. Where a role has other listed locations, different compensation guidelines may apply. You may find the salary ranges for additional locations below. If the salary range is not listed for the location you are applying to, our Talent Acquisition team will provide further information to you relevant to your location.

Additional location(s) Compensation Information

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. Please, no phone calls or emails.

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 .