Senior Principal Scientist, Bioconjugates and Modalities, Early Biologics and Technologies

Job Description

Discovery Biologics is seeking a highly motivated and passionate scientist with bioconjugate and new modalities drug discovery experience to join our company in South San Francisco. Based on your deep understanding of biotherapeutics, bioconjugates, and other modalities, you will identify and test strategies to increase target tissue specificity, enhance tissue penetration, reduce off-target tissue uptake, evaluate impact of multivalent engagement, leverage internalization and subcellular delivery, and increase the therapeutic index of biotherapeutics and bioconjugates. You will design molecules, coordinate production, iteratively optimize linker-payload conjugates, and through collaborations will test these molecules with the aspiration to build next generation biotherapeutics with ground-breaking properties. You will guide due diligence efforts and work collaboratively to establish strategic intent for bioconjugates and other modalities. You will be part of a fast-paced and diverse team developing innovative protein therapeutics that will have a direct impact on patient lives.

Primary Job Duties:

• Collaboratively drive bioconjugate and new modality strategies from early discovery concept through preclinical development and into clinical development
• Invent and evaluate novel biotherapeutics and bioconjugate formats
• Function as biotherapeutics/protein-science co-leader of bioconjugate drug discovery projects
• Design molecules and coordinate production, characterization and optimization of biotherapeutics, bioconjugates, multispecifics, and other modalities
• Work with collaborators in chemistry, therapeutic area biology, PK sciences, formulations science and others, test these novel biotherapeutics and ADC formats preclinically
• Partner with therapeutic area biology teams across Oncology, Immunology, Cardiometabolic Disease, Neuroscience, and Infectious Disease
• Participate in target validation and discovery and the evaluation of new drug modalities and ADC formats
• Develop new applications and generate project ideas for biotherapeutics, bioconjugates, and new modalities

Education:

• B.S. (with 16 years), M.S. (with 15 years) or Ph.D. (with 12 years) in biology, chemistry, biotechnology, molecular biology or related fields and professional experience

Required Experience and Skills:

• Deep understanding of tumor and tissue targeting of biotherapeutics and bioconjugates including mechanisms that lead to success and tolerability issues of these modalities in the clinic
• Strong background and hands-on experience in protein design, expression, purification, characterization and protein conjugation with small molecules including site-specific antibody conjugation technologies
• Good knowledge of ADC-bioconjugate chemistry and all aspects of functional characterization
• Prior work with a variety of modalities including IgG, antibody fragments, VHH, peptides, IgA, IgM and bioconjugates
• Self-motivated and forward-thinking innovator with a good track record in developing novel biotherapeutics and bioconjugate formats
• Significant understanding of targeted tumor treatments and ability to explore opportunities in areas where bioconjugates have typically not been used before
• Experience with oral and subcutaneous delivery, in vitro translation/transcription and unnatural amino acid incorporation is a plus
• Constructive leadership skills and previous management of direct reports with ability to foster career development
• Track record of scientific publications and/or external presentations

We are a research-driven biopharmaceutical company. Our mission is built on the simple premise that if we “follow the science” that great medicines can make a significant impact to our world. We believe that a research-driven enterprise dedicated to world-class science can succeed by inventing medicine and vaccine innovations that make a difference for patients across the globe.

Who we are …

We are known as Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, New Jersey, USA in the United States and Canada and MSD everywhere else. For more than a century, we have been inventing for life, bringing forward medicines and vaccines for many of the world's most challenging diseases. Today, our company continues to be at the forefront of research to deliver innovative health solutions and advance the prevention and treatment of diseases that threaten people and animals around the world.

What we look for …

Imagine getting up in the morning for a job as important as helping to save and improve lives around the world. Here, you have that opportunity. You can put your empathy, creativity, digital mastery, or scientific genius to work in collaboration with a diverse group of colleagues who pursue and bring hope to countless people who are battling some of the most challenging diseases of our time. Our team is constantly evolving, so if you are among the intellectually curious, join us—and start making your impact today.

NOTICE FOR INTERNAL APPLICANTS

In accordance with Managers' Policy - Job Posting and Employee Placement, all employees subject to this policy are required to have a minimum of twelve (12) months of service in current position prior to applying for open positions.

If you have been offered a separation benefits package, but have not yet reached your separation date and are offered a position within the salary and geographical parameters as set forth in the Summary Plan Description (SPD) of your separation package, then you are no longer eligible for your separation benefits package. To discuss in more detail, please contact your HRBP or Talent Acquisition Advisor.

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For positions located in the United States and Puerto Rico – Subject to applicable law, all new hires (including internal transfers) must demonstrate that they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or that they qualify for a medical or religious exemption to this vaccination requirement. New hires (including internal transfers) to a position that, as determined by the Company, requires routine collaboration with external stakeholders (such as roles in health services or customer-facing commercial or research-based roles) (“Customer-Facing Role”) who are not vaccinated must qualify for a medical or religious exemption and be in a position that the Company determines can accommodate unvaccinated employees without causing an undue burden to business operations. If, following dialog with the candidate as appropriate, it is determined that the candidate either a) does not qualify for a religious or medical exemption or, b) for candidates applying for Customer-Facing roles, it is determined that allowing the candidate to work without vaccination would cause an undue burden to the Company, the candidate will be ineligible for hire or transfer, or any offer of employment or transfer (if applicable) will be revoked. Please note that notwithstanding the approval of any reasonable accommodation, the Company reserves the right to monitor, modify, or revoke any such accommodation if it is determined, following dialog with the employee, that the accommodation is no longer effective or results in an undue burden to the Company.

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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 another’s thinking and approach problems collectively. We are an equal opportunity employer, committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace.

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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:

Relocation:

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Flexible Work Arrangements:

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Number of Openings:

Requisition ID:R192192