Senior Scientist, Biomarker Discovery - Complex Model Systems

Job Description

The Data, A.I. and Genome Sciences Department is looking for a highly motivated and passionate Senior Scientist to join our Genome Science group research team. In this role, you will be supporting companion diagnostic (CDx) development using PBMCs, translational models, and iPSC-derived cell types. This role will also involve investigating immune cell crosstalk within advanced cell culture systems and applying stimulation conditions to drive relevant cellular states for assay and model development.

The ideal candidate will have experience isolating and culturing human primary cells and developing 2D, 3D, and complex in vitro model systems to enable biomarker discovery.

This role will support biomarker discovery for the Discovery Immunology therapeutic area and is based at our company's Research Labs site in Cambridge, MA. As a member of this team you will have the opportunity to collaborate closely with a cross-functional team of experimental biologists, data scientists, and stakeholders in Discovery Immunology to drive biomarker discovery.

Key Responsibilities:

• Design, execute, and optimize complex immunological and cell-based assays to support biomarker discovery programs

• Perform translational in vitro studies including cytokine profiling, cellular potency assays, PBMC assays, and whole blood assays

• Utilize Meso Scale Discovery, ELISA, or related analytical platforms for quantitative biomarker and cytokine evaluation

• Perform immune cell purification, isolation, tissue culture maintenance, and cellular functional characterization

• Independently troubleshoot assay challenges, refine methodologies, and implement novel scientific approaches with minimal supervision

• Analyze experimental results, generate technical reports, and recommend follow-up studies to advance program objectives

• Integrate findings from in vitro assays, in vivo models, and molecular biology data to support broader discovery strategies

• Collaborate cross-functionally with data scientists, Immunology therapeutic area, and research teams to support CDx

• Maintain accurate laboratory documentation, scientific records, and presentation-quality data summaries

Required Qualifications:

• Master’s with 4 years of industry or pharma research, or Doctorate degree in Immunology, Biology, Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Biological engineering, Biotechnology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Genetics/Genomics, or related life sciences discipline

• Strong hands-on experience with cell-based assays in immunology or translational biology settings

• Proven expertise with Meso Scale Discovery, ELISA, or cytokine-based analytical assays

• Experience working with primary human PBMC assays and whole blood cellular assays

• Solid background in tissue culture, immune cell isolation, and immune cell purification methods

• Strong understanding of immunological pathways and autoimmune biology

• Demonstrated ability to independently design, execute, and troubleshoot complex laboratory experiments

• Strong scientific data analysis, technical documentation, and presentation skills

• Excellent collaboration and communication skills in multidisciplinary research environments

#EligibleforERP

Required Skills:

2D Cell Culture, 3D Cell Culture, Biochemical Assays, Biomarker Discovery, Cell-Based Assays, Cell Culture Techniques, Cytokine Assay, Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA), Immunoassays, Immunology, Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell (IPSC), In Vitro Models, Molecular Biology, Organoid Culture, Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cell (PBMC) Isolation, Whole Blood Assays

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

$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.

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:

Yes

Travel Requirements:

No Travel Required

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Not Applicable

Shift:

Not Indicated

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

n/a

Job Posting End Date:

05/26/2026

*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.