Sr. Scientist, Immunology
Merck & Co.
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Job summary
Merck & Co. in Cambridge, MA is seeking a senior immunology scientist to advance inflammatory and autoimmune disease programs. You will design and execute experiments, interpret complex data, and collaborate across departments to translate discoveries into therapies.
The role emphasizes primary human immune cell work, advanced cellular assays, and cross-functional teamwork, with opportunities to influence program direction and contribute to a diverse, inclusive culture.
Qualifications
- 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
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
Skills
Education
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.
- 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
- 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
- Experience with primary stromal cell cultures and developing in vitro models of fibrosis
- Familiarity with immunofluorescence microscopy/high‑content imaging
- 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
- Transcriptomics
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.
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
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.
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 .
We will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records for employment in compliance with the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance.
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.
Regular
Domestic/International
Yes
10%
Not Applicable
Not Indicated
No
OEB4, BSL2, Bloodborne pathogens
10/14/2026
R420027
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