Sr. Scientist, Discovery Oncology

Socket.dev; Massachusetts; On-site; USD 119,000 - 188,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k)

Paid holidays

Vacation days

Sick days

Job summary

Merck & Co., Inc. in Boston, MA seeks a scientist with a strong oncology background to lead experimental strategy in early discovery. You will drive target validation, biomarker discovery, and mechanistic studies while collaborating with multidisciplinary teams. Communication of findings and independent strategic thinking are essential.

The role emphasizes deep cancer biology expertise, rigorous research, and the ability to influence program direction within the Discovery Oncology group.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to work independently to create and drive experimental strategy, interpret data, troubleshoot, and define critical next steps.
• Strong experience in mammalian cell culture, Western blot, ELISA/Mesoscale, flow cytometry, qPCR, stable cell line generation, CRISPR.
• Strong team player and experienced working with collaborative cross functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Scientific leadership through development and implementation of multiple impactful experimental approaches to drive target validation, pathway interrogation, and mechanistic studies
• Contribute to therapeutic mechanistic understanding, biomarker discovery, and preclinical candidate characterization
• Monitor, review and critically interpret published literature to guide internal research
• Effectively communicate experimental findings to appropriate stakeholders.
• Leverage broad scientific expertise and deep domain knowledge to influence scientific direction

Skills

Assay Development

Biology

Cancer Therapy

Cell Culture Techniques

Design of Experiments

Drug Target Identification

Flow Cytometry

Immunoassays

Independent Thinking

Mechanism of Action

Molecular Biology

Oncology

Target Discovery

Education

PhD or equivalent in oncology, biology, biochemistry, immunology, or related STEM discipline

MS with 5+ yrs experience

BS with 7+ yrs working experience in pharma/biotech

Job description

Job Description

We are seeking a highly qualified scientist with a strong background in oncology to join our Discovery Oncology team in Boston. The successful candidate will have a proven track record ofinnovative, collaborative, and rigorous research. Primary responsibilities include providing scientific leadership from the bench, combining deep cancer biology expertise with creativity and rigor to drive the experimental strategy, and effectively communicating with multidisciplinary teams in the early discovery pipeline.

The specific responsibilities of the candidate include but are not limited to:

• Scientific leadership through the development and implementation of multiple impactful experimental approaches, technologies, or capabilities to drive target validation, pathway interrogation, and mechanistic studies
• Contribute to therapeutic mechanistic understanding, biomarker discovery, and preclinical candidate characterization
• Monitor, review and critically interpret published literature to guide internal research
• Effectively communicate experimental findings to appropriate stakeholders.
• Leverage broad scientific expertise and deep domain knowledge to influence scientific direction

Education

• PhD or equivalent in oncology, biology, biochemistry, immunology, or related STEM discipline and 0 years of experience; MS with 5+ yrs of experience; OR BS with 7+ yrs working experience in a pharma or biotech setting.

Required

• Demonstrated ability to work independently to create and drive experimental strategy, interpret data, troubleshoot, and define critical next steps.
• Strong experience in molecular and cellular biology techniques with an emphasis on mammalian cell culture, western blot, ELISA/Mesoscale, flow cytometry, qPCR, stable cell line generation, CRISPR.
• Strong team player and experienced working with collaborative cross functional teams.

Preferred experience and skills

• Previous experience working with different therapeutic modalities.
• Experience integrating data from multiple experimental approaches to build mechanistic understanding, generate hypotheses, and connect experimental findings to broader program objectives to enable effective decision-making across stakeholders
• Prior oncology research experience

Required Skills:

Assay Development, Biology, Cancer Therapy, Cell Culture Techniques, Design of Experiments (DOE), Drug Target Identification, Flow Cytometry, Immunoassays, Independent Thinking, Mechanism of Action, Molecular Biology, Oncology, Target Discovery

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. Please if you need an accommodation during the application or hiring process.

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:

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.

The salary range for this role is $119,100.00 - $187,500.00

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

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.

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): Standard lab reagents, BSL2, OEB4, OEB5, Bloodborne pathogens

Job Posting End Date: 09/15/2026

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.