Scientist, Pharmacokinetics

Job Description

This position will support our Company’s biologics drug discovery and development efforts in the Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics (DMPK) Group within the Pharmacokinetics, Dynamics, Metabolism and Bioanalytics (PDMB) organization at our Research & Development Division in South San Francisco.

The successful candidate will be a laboratory‑based scientist responsible for generating in vitro and in vivo ADME and pharmacokinetic data to support biologics programs. The role applies strong foundational expertise in protein biochemistry and biophysics to understand how molecular properties influence clearance mechanisms and PK/PD relationships of biologics including antibodies, bi‑/multi‑specifics, peptides, conjugates, and other novel modalities.

We are seeking a flexible, curious, and proactive scientist with strong protein biochemistry/biophysics expertise and a passion for both reliably executing routine, decision‑enabling assays and developing and optimizing new assays that support biologics programs across multiple therapeutic areas. In this role, the scientist will have the opportunity to work closely with project teams and partner groups across our network to advance drug discovery efforts. Candidates who are enthusiastic about supporting pipeline needs through high‑quality, reproducible assay execution, motivated to investigate mechanistic drivers of protein interactions, and interested in automation and biophysical techniques are especially encouraged to apply.

Key Responsibilities:

• Perform routine and exploratory biochemistry and biophysics‑based assays, including protein biochemistry and biophysical interaction assays to quantify receptor binding, cellular trafficking and degradation, non-specific binding/clearance and other DMPK properties of biologics.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to design, optimize, and execute assays aligned with project needs
• Generate and analyze data with high attention to detail, and maintain complete and accurate electronic laboratory notebooks
• Contribute to the implementation of automation solutions and semi-automated workflows to increase throughput and reproducibility
• Support the development and optimization of protocols and standard operating procedures and maintain and troubleshoot instruments 
• Communicate experimental plans and results clearly via written reports and verbal presentations

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education:

• Bachelor’s (with 3+ years) or Master's in biochemistry, biophysics, biotechnology, bioengineering, pharmacology or a related scientific discipline and relevant laboratory experience​

Required Experience and Skills:

• Strong foundation in protein biophysics/biochemistry principles, with the ability to apply these concepts in a biological or translational context (eg., protein interactions, binding kinetics, intracellular trafficking, in vivo clearance)  
• Hands-on experience with biochemical/biophysical techniques to characterize proteins (e.g., immunoprecipitation, flow cytometry, mass spectrometry, SPR/BLI, meso scale discovery, fluorescence spectroscopy, NMR/ HDX/MS)
• Ability to analyze, troubleshoot, organize, and interpret data, with familiarity using software such as GraphPad Prism, Excel, or similar tools
• Excellent attention to detail, strong documentation practices, and the ability to work in a fast-paced research environment
• Strong interpersonal, problem-solving, and communication skills with a collaborative and growth-oriented mindset

Preferred Experience and Skills:

• Experience with biologics DMPK assays, such as receptor binding kinetics, drug/receptor internalization, and cellular trafficking assays
• Experience in cell culture and execution of cell‑based functional assays
• Experience quantifying protein concentrations in biological matrices using ligand-binding assays (e.g., ELISA, meso scale discovery, etc.)
• Prior experience with Octet/BLI, SPR, or similar biophysical techniques
• Exposure to automation, liquid handlers, or high-throughput assay systems

#EligibleforERP

Required Skills:

Biochemistry, Biophysics, Flow Cytometry, Fluorescence Spectrometer, Intracellular Trafficking, Kinetic Studies, Mass Spectrometry (MS), Molecular Biophysics, Protein Interactions

Preferred Skills:

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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 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:

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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.

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The salary range for this role is

$108,000.00 - $170,100.00

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.

You can apply for this role through https://jobs.merck.com/us/en (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:

No

Travel Requirements:

No Travel Required

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Not Applicable

Shift:

1st - Day

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

n/a

Job Posting End Date:

07/8/2026

*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.