Associate Principal Scientist, Protein Engineering

Job Description

Associate Principal Scientist Protein Engineering Discovery Biologics

We are on a quest for cures and are committed to be the worlds premier most research-intensive biopharmaceutical company. Our teams combine leading drug discovery capabilities and world-class R&D with the purpose of turning breakthrough science into life-changing medicines.

We are seeking an energetic and experienced protein engineer for the role of Associate Principal Scientist in the Boston Discovery Biologics group. They will lead therapeutic construct design for therapeutic programs in therapeutic areas including immunology cardiovascular and metabolic diseases neuroscience and oncology. They will work in the Biologics Production and Engineering teams screening core supporting the high throughput production team initial binder and therapeutic format evaluation molecular triage and identification of proof-of-concept therapeutics. The successful candidate will be responsible for generation and iterative refinement of structural models of therapeutic targets leveraging available structural information or creation of structural models leverage emerging computational protein engineering tools. The successful candidate will generate and utilize models of therapeutics bound to targets to guide lead optimization through such as liability correction humanization and physiochemical property enhancement as needed. They will serve as a protein engineering representative on therapeutic pipeline programs where they will help shape the strategies for therapeutic discovery and optimization. They will partner with teams across Discovery Biologics to develop scalable automated solutions from molecular biology to analysis of Biologics.

Our organization is directly integrating computational and wet-lab researchers with state-of-the-art automation to accelerate the discovery engineering and characterization of novel biologics in the pre-IND pipeline. They will work closely with Biologic Production and Engineering team members to leverage strengths and identify opportunities to continually expand the teams technical skillsets and enterprise thinking. They will work to support the departments efforts to recruit diverse and highly skilled key talent to the organization and be a champion for diversity and inclusion. We recognize that the diversity in our team is our strength and we are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Successful candidates must demonstrate inclusive behaviours in working with a diverse group of researchers to drive our core mission.

What you will do :

Lead construct design for pipeline programs exploring therapeutic formats valencies and affinities of input binders including Fab scfv VHH and other biologics formats

Apply computational protein engineering tools and workflows such as RFDiffusion ProteinMPNN and AlphaFold to guide novel therapeutic discovery and lead optimization.

Generate in silico models of targets therapeutics and their complexes to guide protein engineering strategies across the life of pipeline programs.

Serve as a protein engineering representative on project teams to influence molecular design screening and optimization strategies for pipeline programs

Stay abreast of external advancements in the design and production of biologic therapeutics

Promote the external reputation of our companys Discovery Biologics

What you will need to be successful in this role :

Qualifications & Experience

Ph.D. in structural biology biochemistry biophysics or related field with 4 years relevant industry experience Masters with 8 years relevant industry experience or Bachelors with 12 years of relevant industry experience in biochemistry or related field

Experience in advancing Biologic therapeutics through discovery pipelines as a protein engineer

Excellent communication and collaboration skills

Strong presentation publication and / or patent record

Required skills :

Extensive experience applying rational structure-based protein engineering approaches to construct design

In silico target and / or therapeutic model generation from available structural information and / or predictions to guide therapeutic discovery and development with commonly used programs (e.g. MOE Schrodinger AlphaFold)

Experienced in the lead optimization of antibodies and / or bispecifics via humanization liability mitigation and biophysical enhancement.

Experience working in a matrixed reporting structure supporting multiple pipeline programs

Hands-on production and characterization experience of therapeutic designs

Established external reputation through high-impact publications presentations and / or scientific community engagement

Experience in advancing Biologic therapeutics through discovery pipelines as a protein engineer

Preferred skills :

Extensive hands-on design production and characterization experience of complex antigens protein reagents and Biologic therapeutics modalities beyond monoclonal antibodies

Familiarity with automated data capture approaches and LIMS integration for production and characterization of biologics

Biologic pipeline program leadership experience

Experience in outsourcing and managing external collaborations

Experience with computational protein engineering approaches for de novo design and optimization of therapeutics

Your role at our company is integral to helping the world meet new breakthroughs that affect generations to come and were counting on your skills and inventiveness to help make meaningful contributions to global medical advancement. At our company were inventing for life.

We are proud to be a company that embraces the value of bringing diverse talented and committed people together. The fastest way to breakthrough innovation is when diverse ideas come together in an inclusive environment. We encourage our colleagues to respectfully challenge one anothers thinking and approach problems collectively for the common good. We are an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace.

#EligibleforERP

Required Skills :

Antibody Discovery Antibody Therapeutics Biologics Biophysics Molecular Operating Environment (MOE) Protein Chemistry Protein Engineering Rosetta Studio Structural Biology

Preferred Skills :

Protein Characterization Protein Production

Current Employees apply HERE

Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

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 click here 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 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 anothers thinking and approach problems collectively.

Learn more about your rights including under California Colorado and other US State Acts

U.S. Hybrid Work Model

Effective September 5 2023 employees in office-based positions in the U.S. will be working a Hybrid work consisting of three total days on-site per week Monday - Thursday although the specific days may vary by site or organization with Friday designated as a remote-working day unless business critical tasks require an on-site Hybrid work model does not apply to and daily in-person attendance is required for field-based positions; facility-based manufacturing-based or research-based positions where the work to be performed is located at a Company site; positions covered by a collective-bargaining agreement (unless the agreement provides for hybrid work); or any other position for which the Company has determined the job requirements cannot be reasonably met working remotely. Please note this Hybrid work model guidance also does not apply to roles that have been designated as remote.

The salary range for this role is

$141900.00 - $223300.00

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 employees 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 can apply for this role through (or via the Workday Jobs Hub if you are a current employee). The application deadline for this position is stated on this posting.

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

Search Firm Representatives Please Read Carefully

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 :

No Travel Required

Flexible Work Arrangements :

Not Applicable

Shift : Not Indicated

Valid Driving License :

No

Hazardous Material(s) :

OEB4 bispecific agents

Job Posting End Date :

12 / 12 / 2025

• 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.

Required Experience :

Staff IC

Key Skills

Machine Learning,Python,Data Science,AI,R,Research Experience,Sensors,Drug Discovery,Research & Development,Natural Language Processing,Data Analysis Skills,Toxicology Experience

Employment Type : Full-Time

Experience : years

Vacancy : 1

Monthly Salary Salary : 141900 - 223300