Senior Scientist, Neuroimmunology, Biology-Discovery

1556 Merck Research Laboratories Massachusetts, LLC; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 119,000 - 188,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision coverage

401(k) retirement plan

Paid holidays and vacation

Job summary

MSD is seeking a laboratory-based scientist to join the Neuroimmunology team. The role focuses on preclinical models, translational biology, and microglial mechanistic insights to support CNS drug discovery.

The candidate will design and execute in vitro and in vivo studies, analyze complex datasets, and communicate findings to cross-functional teams. Strong leadership and collaboration are essential for program strategy decisions.

Qualifications

• PhD or MSc in a STEM field with pharma/biotech experience
• Hands-on rodent in vivo experience
• Mouse models of neurodegeneration/neuroinflammation CNS disease
• Proficiency in omics and data analysis
• Strong experimental design and collaboration skills

Responsibilities

• Conduct in vitro and in vivo studies and analyses.
• Design and execute studies; interpret data for cross-functional teams.
• Generate pharmacology, efficacy, biomarker and mechanistic datasets.
• Perform CNS immune cell isolation, flow cytometry, IHC, and molecular profiling.
• Collaborate across pharmacology, immunology, chemistry, and data science.
• Provide scientific leadership and data-driven program strategy.

Skills

Neuroscience

Immunology

Cell Biology

Pharmacology

Data analysis

Communication

Education

PhD in a related STEM field

Master's degree in related field

Tools

Flow Cytometry

RNA-seq

IHC

Molecular profiling

Job description

Position Summary

We are seeking a highly motivated, laboratory-based scientist to join the Neuroimmunology team at our Company. This role is ideal for a hands‑on experimentalist with expertise in preclinical models, neuroimmunology, neurodegeneration, and translational biology. The successful candidate will independently design and execute in vitro and in vivo studies, generate mechanistic insights into microglial biology, and contribute to the discovery of novel therapies for CNS diseases.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as a hands-on scientist conducting in vitro and in vivo procedures and downstream analyses.
• Play a key role in supporting pipeline programs by designing and executing studies, interpreting complex datasets, and communicating findings to cross‑functional teams.
• Generate and interpret pharmacology, efficacy, biomarker, and mechanistic datasets to support target validation and drug discovery programs.
• Perform CNS immune cell isolation, flow cytometry, immunophenotyping, molecular profiling, and histological analyses.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams across pharmacology, immunology, chemistry, biologics, biomarker sciences, and data science.
• The individual is expected to provide strong scientific leadership, contribute to program strategy, and influence decision-making through data‑driven recommendations.

Required Qualifications

• Education and experience: PhD in Neuroscience, Immunology, Cell Biology, Pharmacology, Bioengineering, Neurology, or a related STEM field; postdoctoral industry experience highly preferred. OR Master’s degree in Neuroscience, Immunology, Cell Biology, Pharmacology, Bioengineering, Neurology, or a related STEM field with a minimum of 8+ years of pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry experience.
• Extensive hands‑on experience with rodent in vivo studies.
• Experience with mouse models of neurodegeneration, neuroinflammation, or CNS disease.
• Expertise in flow cytometry, CNS immune cell isolation, immunohistochemistry, and molecular biology techniques.
• Proficiency with omics approaches (RNA‑seq, single‑cell technologies) and data analysis.
• Strong experimental design, statistical analysis, and problem‑solving skills.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills in a cross‑functional research environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Industry experience supporting discovery or early development programs in CNS disorders.
• Experience with Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, ALS, multiple sclerosis, or related neurodegenerative diseases.
• Hands‑on experience with transgenic rodent models, including behavioral, pharmacology, and biomarker studies.
• Experience with primary microglia cultures, macrophages, immune cell assays, or iPSC‑derived CNS cell systems.
• Familiarity with translational biomarkers, PK/PD relationships, and mechanism‑based drug development.
• Experience working within multidisciplinary drug discovery teams and advancing programs from target validation through candidate selection.
• Prior experience leading collaborative projects, in particular, the ability to coordinate activities across multiple functions will be an important consideration.

Equal Opportunity Statement

We are 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.

Location and Compensation

The primary location for this posting is: USA - Massachusetts - Boston (MA Parcel B Laboratory). 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. 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.

Benefits

• 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.

Additional Locations

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 relevant to your location.

Search Firm Policy

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.

Employment Details

• Employee Status: Regular.
• Relocation: Domestic/International.
• VIS Sponsorship: Yes.
• Travel Requirements: No travel required.
• Flexible Work Arrangements: Not applicable.
• Shift: Not indicated.
• Valid Driving License: No.
• Hazardous Material(s): OEB4, BSL2, Standard lab reagents.

Job Posting End Date

Job Posting End Date: 11/6/2026 *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.

Company Overview

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.