Principal Scientist, Protein Engineering, Early Biologics and Technologies

Job Description

Discovery Biologics in South San Francisco is seeking an experienced researcher to apply structure-guided design principles to protein therapeutics discovery. The Principal Scientist, Protein Engineering will play a leading role in design and characterization of biotherapeutic molecules. This position will work closely with a wide spectrum of teams including therapeutic area biology teams to understand key functional attributes, protein sciences to characterize and assess physical attributes for developability, structural biology for molecular structure, and management for strategy. The successful candidate will be well-versed in protein modeling techniques and will creatively apply design principles to a diverse set of therapeutic modalities. This position will bring an understanding of structure/function relationships in multi-functional protein complexes and receptor signaling. This leader will be an effective collaborator who will leverage their knowledge, experience and capabilities across disciplines and functional areas and will identify and actively pursue unique opportunities in discovery biology enabled by protein engineering.

Primary Job Duties:

• Propose and perform research to develop novel antibody-based candidate therapeutics
• Drive the molecular design, protein engineering, and screening for bispecific projects
• Coordinate protein production and design biochemical and phenotypic assays to characterize protein function
• Implement novel protein engineering technologies to discover and validate cell-surface targets and combinations of targets for biotherapeutics
• Partner with therapeutic area biology teams across Oncology, Immunology, Cardiometabolic Disease, Neuroscience, and Infectious Disease

Education:

• B.S. (with 14 years), M.S. (with 10 years) or Ph.D. (with 8 years) in biology, chemistry, biotechnology, molecular biology or related fields and professional experience

Required Experience and Skills:

• Prior work in molecular design for drug discovery. The candidate should understand when to utilize a structure-guided/molecular modeling approach versus empirical approaches. A demonstrated ability to derive unique value from these efforts.
• A highly collaborative scientist with broad interests and a variety of experience. Excellent communication skills. An ability to work across disciplines, including with our Computational and Structural Chemistry groups, and understand the specific needs of clients and collaborators. An innovator who proactively seeks opportunities to share their knowledge and enthusiasm.
• Demonstrated success using protein engineering to identify and enhance functionally selective antibodies. Capable of using multiple biologics modality platforms including bispecifics, VHHs, and bioconjugates to selectively target disease biology.
• Technical innovator with a focus on practical approaches that meet the needs of the project team. An ability to effectively integrate modeling and design into project workflows.
• An ability to bridge structure and modeling, protein expression/purification/characterization through understanding of key technical issues and interfaces. Strong familiarity with modeling software (ex: Pymol, MOE, or Schrodinger) and its application to protein design. Interest in applying novel AI/ML approaches to protein engineering challenges.
• Prior work with dissecting receptor/ligand interactions required for tuning downstream signal transduction pathways.
• Constructive leadership skills and previous experience managing direct reports with a proven track record of developing careers.
• 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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New hires in office-based roles in the US & Puerto Rico will be required, subject to applicable law, to demonstrate that they have been fully vaccinated for COVID-19 or qualify for a medical or religious exemption to this vaccination requirement that can be accommodated without an undue burden to the operation. However, subject to applicable law, employees working in roles that the Company determines require routine collaboration with external stakeholders, such as employees in health services, customer facing commercial, or research based roles, will be required to be fully vaccinated as a condition of employment.

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Employee Status:

Relocation:

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Flexible Work Arrangements:

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Requisition ID:R192194