Principal Scientist, Oncology Target Discovery

Job Description

Job Description

Subject to applicable law, all prospective hires will be required to demonstrate that they have been fully vaccinated for COVID-19 or intend to be vaccinated for COVID-19 by November 1, 2021, or qualify for a medical or religious accommodation to this vaccination requirement. Hired candidates who are not vaccinated by November 1, 2021, and who have not been approved for a legally-required medical or religious accommodation will be subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment, subject to applicable law.

We are seeking a highly qualified and motivated Principal Scientist with a strong background in Oncology target identification and validation to join a cross-functional team within Discovery Oncology. The successful candidate will have a track record of innovative and collaborative research as well as experience managing other scientists. Primary responsibilities will include managing and supporting lab-based direct reports in designing and executing experiments to identify and validate novel targets. The Principal Scientist will operate in a highly collaborative and matrixed environment, and an ability to communicate clearly and collaborate effectively with colleagues from different disciplines will be essential. This position will be located at our growing Cambridge research facility, where the Oncology Target Discovery group will be integrated with colleagues in Chemical Biology, Genome and Biomarker Sciences, Cardiometabolic diseases, Neuroscience, Immunology, and our Exploratory Science Center, and will also work closely with Discovery Oncology colleagues in Boston and South San Francisco.

Responsibilities include:

• Managing multiple direct reports
• Supervising the design, execution, interpretation, and communication of experiments to identify and validate novel targets in Oncology, with an ability to integrate in vitro and in vivo discovery strategies
• Supervising the development of new methods using CRISPR technology to support target discovery and drug discovery efforts
• Monitoring, reviewing, and critically interpreting published work to guide internal research, particularly pertaining to new methods for genetic perturbation
• Proactively engaging with colleagues from diverse functional areas as well as developing external collaborations with academic and biotechnology partners to develop and integrate enabling technology to identify and validate novel targets
• Working as part of a cross-functional team with colleagues from Discovery Oncology, in vivo Pharmacology, Genome and Biomarker Sciences, Chemical Biology, and Quantitative Biosciences to identify new targets and advance drug discovery efforts

Required Experience and Skills:

• Ph.D. in cell and molecular biology, cancer biology, immunology, or related field, with a minimum of 6 years of post-graduate experience
• Demonstrated expertise and hands-on experience in functional genomics screening and target validation
• Experience managing scientists and demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects
• Demonstrated ability to work as part of a team in a matrixed organization to execute experimental plans and deliver results
• Expertise in standard molecular biology techniques including PCR, qRT-PCR, and western blotting
• Expertise in multiple methods of genetic perturbation (siRNA, shRNA, CRISPR using lentivirus and RNPs, inducible systems)
• Expertise in model and assay development
• Expertise in cloning and lentivirus generation; overexpression of wildtype and mutant constructs
• Expertise in assessment of CRISPR editing efficiency using Sanger sequencing or NGS
• Candidate should be a strong team player with excellent oral and written communication skills and with a demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and thrive in a team environment
• Proven record of innovative thinking to propose and champion new ideas and solve problems

We are a research-driven biopharmaceutical company. Our mission is built on the simple premise that if we “follow the science” that great medicines can make a significant impact to our world. We believe that a research-driven enterprise dedicated to world-class science can succeed by inventing medicine and vaccine innovations that make a difference for patients across the globe.

Who we are ...

We are known as Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, New Jersey, USA in the United States and Canada and MSD everywhere else. For more than a century, we have been inventing for life, bringing forward medicines and vaccines for many of the world's most challenging diseases. Today, our company continues to be at the forefront of research to deliver innovative health solutions and advance the prevention and treatment of diseases that threaten people and animals around the world.

What we look for ...

In a world of rapid innovation, we seek brave Inventors who want to make an Impact in all aspects of our business, enabling breakthroughs that will affect generations to come. We encourage you to bring your disruptive thinking, collaborative spirit and diverse perspective to our organization.

NOTICE FOR INTERNAL APPLICANTS

In accordance with Managers' Policy - Job Posting and Employee Placement, all employees subject to this policy are required to have a minimum of twelve (12) months of service in current position prior to applying for open positions.

If you have been offered a separation benefits package, but have not yet reached your separation date and are offered a position within the salary and geographical parameters as set forth in the Summary Plan Description (SPD) of your separation package, then you are no longer eligible for your separation benefits package. To discuss in more detail, please contact your HRBP or Talent Acquisition Advisor.

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Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ, USA, also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., Kenilworth, 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.

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Requisition ID:R137126