Senior Scientist, Biology-Discovery

Job Description

We’re seeking an experienced Senior Scientist to join the Infectious Disease and Vaccines department at our research site in West Point, PA. The candidate will have a primary role in a team responsible for the discovery and development of novel antiviral treatments. The candidate will independently design and execute experiments to interrogate fundamental virus biology, virus-host interactions, and immunological responses using various biochemical and cell-based assays. The candidate should have a strong background in virology, immunoassay and genomic technologies, cell biology, animal pharmacology, and general knowledge of infectious disease drug development. We value creative thinking, teamwork, and independent analytical problem solving. If you are a highly motivated team player with a strong desire to impact basic research and translational medicine, we invite you to consider joining our team.

EDUCATION REQUIREMENT:

BS/BA degree in Biology or Biomedical Sciences with a minimum 7 years of experience in industry and/or academia, or a MS degree in Biology or Biomedical Sciences with 4 years of experience in industry and or academia, or PhD with >1 year postdoctoral experience.

REQUIRED SKILLS:

• Mammalian cell culture — maintenance and manipulation of immortalized cell lines and primary cells.
• Cell-based antiviral assays — design, execution, and analysis of infection and drug-response assays.
• RT-qPCR/qPCR and nucleic acid extraction — robust RNA/DNA isolation and quantitative PCR for viral load and gene expression.
• Protein analysis — Western blotting and basic protein quantitation.
• Virology fundamentals — safe handling, propagation, and titration of viruses (plaque/titer or focus-forming assays).
• Keen awareness of emerging biology and new technologies.
• Good laboratory practices and documentation — accurate record-keeping, adherence to biosafety procedures, and reproducible experimental workflows.

PREFERRED SKILLS

• High-content or fluorescence microscopy — image acquisition and basic image analysis for phenotypic readouts.
• Data analysis and statistics — ability to analyze dose–response, kinetics, and experimental data using tools such as R, or Python.

Required Skills:

Adaptability, Adaptability, Assay Development, Biochemical Assays, Biomedical Sciences, Cell-Based Assays, Cell Cultures, Cell Culture Techniques, Cell Line Development, Detail-Oriented, Drug Target Identification, Flow Cytometry, High Content Screening, Image Acquisition, Immunoassays, Immunology, Infectious Disease, Influenza, Mammalian Cell, Mammalian Cell Culture, Molecular Biology, Personal Initiative, Protein Analysis, Protein Purifications, Team Player {+ 1 more}

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:

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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

$117,000.00 - $184,200.00

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:

Not Indicated

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

N/A

Job Posting End Date:

06/17/2026

*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.