Sr. Scientist, Immunology

Merck; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 119,000 - 188,000; Full time

Job summary

Merck in Cambridge, MA is seeking an experienced immunology scientist to join our team focused on inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. You will design and execute experiments, develop cellular immunology assays, and interpret complex data to advance translational programs.

Collaboration across departments and leadership in innovative technologies will be essential. The role requires strong background in immunology, 7+ years (or equivalent) of research experience, and the ability to work in a

Qualifications

• B.Sc./M.Sc./PhD with strong background in immunology and inflammatory disease mechanisms.
• Hands-on experience in developing, optimizing, and troubleshooting cellular immunology assays, using primary human immune and/or stromal cell systems.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute experiments, analyze and interpret datasets to identify and validate novel targets in immunology, inflammation, autoimmunity, and fibrosis.
• Apply knowledge of key signal transduction pathways to design appropriate experiments.
• Be a key contributor in lab and meetings to progress multiple programs.
• Conceptualize and enact innovative approaches (including novel technologies) to address and solve program objectives and issues.
• Design, execute, and troubleshoot cell-based functional assays, including tissue culture, cytokine profiling, ECM immunofluorescence staining, and cellular potency readouts.
• Isolate and characterize primary immune cells and perform translational assay systems, including PBMC and whole-blood assays.
• Manage project-specific milestones and timelines.
• Communicate science and strategy to stakeholders and management.
• Collaborate across functional areas and with external partners.
• Demonstrate a 'one-team' mindset and lead lab/department initiatives.
• Promote DEI principles and a respectful, inclusive work environment.

Skills

Assay Development

Autoimmune Diseases

Cell Culture Techniques

Cytokines

Drug Target Identification

Fibroblasts

Fibrosis

Flow Cytometry

High Content Screening

Immunoassays

Immunology

Immunomodulation

Immunophenotyping

Inflammatory Diseases

Innate Immunity

Molecular Biology

Education

B.Sc. in Biological Sciences, Immunology, Pathology, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Biomedical Engineering, or related STEM discipline with 7+ years of research experience

M.Sc. with 4+ years of research experience

PhD with 0+ years of experience

Job description

Job Summary

Join our Immunology team in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and help shape the future of treatments for inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. At our company, we are at the forefront of immunology research, translating scientific advances into meaningful clinical impact. This is an opportunity to work in a dynamic environment where you will evaluate and apply novel experimental approaches, partnering across departments to implement cutting‑edge laboratory technologies. Your contributions will directly impact the development of new therapies and medicines that improve patient lives.

Job Description

Join our Immunology team in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and help shape the future of treatments for inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. At our company, we are at the forefront of immunology research, translating scientific advances into meaningful clinical impact. This is an opportunity to work in a dynamic environment where you will evaluate and apply novel experimental approaches, partnering across departments to implement cutting‑edge laboratory technologies. Your contributions will directly impact the development of new therapies and medicines that improve patient lives.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute experiments, analyze and interpret complex datasets to identify and validate novel targets in immunology, inflammation, autoimmunity, and fibrosis
• Apply knowledge of key signal transduction pathways to design appropriate experiments
• Be a key contributor in lab and in meetings to progress multiple programs
• Conceptualize and enact innovative approaches (including novel technologies) to address and solve program objectives and issues
• Design, execute, and troubleshoot cell‑based functional assays, including routine tissue culture, cytokine profiling, extracellular matrix immunofluorescence staining, and cellular potency readouts
• Isolate and characterize primary immune cells and perform translational assay systems, including PBMC and whole‑blood assays
• Manage project‑specific milestones and timelines
• Communicate science and strategy to stakeholders and management
• Collaborate effectively both internally and externally, within and across functional areas
• Demonstrate a “one‑team” mindset by proactively engaging in and leading lab and department initiatives
• Actively participate in cultural initiatives, embrace DE&I principles, promote psychological safety, and support a work environment that positively influences others and enables all to bring their true selves to work

Qualifications

Required

• B.Sc. in Biological Sciences, Immunology, Pathology, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Biomedical Engineering, or related STEM discipline with 7+ years of research experience, M.Sc. with 4+ years of research experience, or PhD and 0+ years of experience.
• Deep knowledge of inflammatory, autoimmune, and/or fibrotic disease mechanisms
• Hands‑on experience in developing, optimizing, and troubleshooting cellular immunology assays, ideally using primary human immune and/or stromal cell systems
• Practical experience in designing and executing complex cellular systems and/or co‑culture models
• Strong ability to interpret data from biological, biochemical, and immunological assays and to design appropriate follow‑up experiments

Preferred

• Experience with primary stromal cell cultures and developing in vitro models of fibrosis
• Familiarity with immunofluorescence microscopy/high‑content imaging

Required Skills

• Assay Development, Autoimmune Diseases, Cell Culture Techniques, Cellular Immunology, Cytokines, Drug Target Identification, Fibroblasts, Fibrosis, Flow Cytometry, High Content Screening, Immunoassays, Immunology, Immunomodulation, Immunophenotyping, Inflammatory Diseases, Innate Immunity, Molecular Biology

Preferred Skills

• Transcriptomics

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.

Requirements

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

Salary

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.

Benefits

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/International

VISA Sponsorship

Yes

Travel Requirements

10%

Flexible Work Arrangements

Not Applicable

Shift

Not Indicated

Valid Driving License

No

Hazardous Material(s)

OEB4, BSL2, Bloodborne pathogens

Job Posting End Date

• 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

R420027