Senior Scientist, Molecular 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

Key Responsibilities

• Scientific Leadership and Project Support: Design, execute, troubleshoot, and interpret molecular interaction studies that guide program direction and molecule selection.
• Generate high-quality data using molecular interaction and cell based assays, including binding, affinity, kinetics, avidity, epitope binning, competition, receptor occupancy, internalization, signaling, and functional potency, to support optimization and risk assessment.
• Partner with multidisciplinary teams to define assay strategies, prioritize samples, deliver results on schedule, document methods and conclusions, and clearly communicate findings, risks, and recommendations.
• Platform Development and Innovation: Apply molecular interaction platforms, including surface plasmon resonance, Carterra, biolayer interferometry, and flow cytometry, to support biologics discovery.
• Develop and optimize assay formats, automation, data analysis, and visualization workflows to improve throughput, robustness, data quality, and turnaround time.
• Evaluate and integrate new technologies, resolve platform issues, and establish reproducible protocols and workflows that enable efficient knowledge transfer.
• Scientific Excellence and Mentorship: Apply rigorous experimental design, appropriate controls, quantitative data interpretation, and effective troubleshooting practices.
• Work independently on complex studies while collaborating effectively in a multidisciplinary research environment.
• Maintain a current understanding of advances in molecular interactions, protein characterization, antibody engineering, and biologics discovery.
• Contribute to scientific presentations, publications, intellectual property, and the development of junior scientists while following all applicable laboratory, documentation, data integrity, and safety requirements.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's (with 7+ years) or Master's (with 4+ years) in a biological science field and relevant industry experience. Ph.D. in a biological science field and relevant experience.
• Required Experience and Skills: Proven ability to independently design, execute, and interpret complex experiments, including kinetic and affinity studies of protein interactions.
• Demonstrated expertise in biomolecular interactions, protein characterization, and quantitative assay development, with hands on experience designing, optimizing, and interpreting cell based binding or functional assays.
• Hands on experience with one or more interaction analysis platforms, such as surface plasmon resonance, Carterra, Biacore, biolayer interferometry, KinExA, or related technologies.
• Excellent problem solving, critical thinking, troubleshooting, and organizational skills, with a demonstrated ability to deliver high-quality results within defined timelines.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with a demonstrated ability to work effectively in a collaborative, team-oriented environment.
• Preferred Experience and Skills: Postdoctoral or industry experience supporting therapeutic antibody, multispecific, or other biologics discovery programs.
• Experience with epitope binning, competition assays, receptor pharmacology, developability assessment, and cell-based characterization of biologics, including flow cytometry, receptor binding or occupancy, internalization, signaling, reporter gene, proliferation, or other functional potency assays.
• Knowledge of antibody engineering, Fc biology, and relationships among protein structure, molecular interactions, and biological function.
• Familiarity with automation, high throughput workflows, and modern data analysis and visualization tools.

Salary and Benefits

The primary location for this posting is: USA - California - South San Francisco (Grand Ave) Where required by law, the compensation range for this role is provided below. The salary range for the primary location of this role is: $131,400.00 - $206,800.00 This range reflects the Company's reasonable expectation of the base salary applicable to this role at the time of 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.

Additional Locations

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., 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.

Employee Information

• Employee Status: Regular
• Relocation: Domestic/International
• VISA Sponsorship: Yes
• Travel Requirements: No Travel Required
• Flexible Work Arrangements: Not Applicable
• Shift: 1st - Day
• Valid Driving License: No
• Hazardous Material(s): N/A

Job Posting End Date

Job Posting End Date: 11/4/2026 *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.

US and Puerto Rico Residents Only

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. 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