Senior Scientist, Antibody Discovery

Job Description

We are on a quest for cures and are committed to be the world’s 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 a highly motivated, energetic, and skilled Senior Scientist to join the Discovery Biologics team in South San Francisco. This is a hands-on, lab-facing role for a scientist with strong expertise in antibody discovery using in vivo immunization approaches, specifically using single-cell antibody discovery platforms and the 10x Genomics workflow. The successful candidate will play a key role in advancing antibody discovery programs by designing and executing high-throughput discovery strategies, partnering across multidisciplinary teams, and helping deliver high-quality antibody candidates on accelerated timelines.

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.

Key Responsibilities:

• Design, execute, and lead antibody discovery campaigns using single B-cell discovery workflows.
• Identify and implement opportunities to reduce timelines, improve throughput, and increase operational efficiency.
• Represent the antibody discovery group on multidisciplinary project teams and provide scientific leadership on discovery strategy, screening plans, and candidate progression.
• Stay current with emerging scientific and technological advances relevant to antibody discovery and single-cell platforms.
• Contribute to the external scientific visibility of the Discovery Biologics team through publications, presentations, and scientific engagement.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education:

• Bachelor's (with 7+ years), Master's (with 4+ years) or Ph.D. in Biology, Biochemistry or related discipline and relevant experience.

Required Experience and Skills:

• Strong technical expertise with the 10x Genomics Single Cell 5′ V(D)J workflow for antigen-specific antibody isolation, including sample preparation, B-cell sorting, and library generation and/or hands-on experience with single cell antibody platform/s to screen immunized B-cell repertoires, including recovery of antigen-specific antibody sequences.
• Strong hands-on laboratory skills in cell culture, molecular biology, high-throughput screening, assay development, and flow cytometry.
• Significant hands-on experience in antibody discovery, with specific expertise in in vivo immunization-based discovery approaches using single B-cell screening and sequencing.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and cross-functional partnership skills.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and competing priorities while maintaining scientific rigor and attention to detail.
• Proven success working in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
• Highly motivated and collaborative scientist with a strong sense of ownership, urgency, and adaptability.
• Established external reputation through publications, presentations, and/or scientific community engagement.
• Champion for a varied and inclusive culture.

Preferred Experience and Skills:

• Experience with next-generation sequencing approaches and related data interpretation in antibody discovery workflows is preferred (including 10x Genomics data).
• Experience managing antibody discovery campaigns.

#EligibleforERP 

Required Skills:

Antibody Discovery, Antigens, B Cells, Flow Cytometry, High-Throughput Assays, In Vivo Studies, Library Development, Molecular Biology Techniques, Single Cell Analysis

Preferred Skills:

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 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:

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

$131,400.00 - $206,800.00

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/International

VISA Sponsorship:

Yes

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:

07/10/2026

*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.