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Merck & Co, Inc

Associate Principal Scientist, Protein Engineering Machine Learning, Discovery Biologics

Engineering and Architecture

Architectural Engineering

No

Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Job Description

Discovery Biologics is seeking an Associate Principal Scientist with experience in computational protein design and/or machine learning to support our biologics pipeline. At Our Research Laboratories (MRL), we believe innovations at the intersection of machine learning, computational protein design, and HTP experimentation will transform the way we bring new therapies to patients. Our organization seeks to directly integrate computational and wet-lab researchers with state-of-the-art automation to accelerate the discovery, engineering, and characterization of novel biologics in the pre-IND pipeline. We are a highly diverse and collaborative group of researchers working at the edge of computation, disease biology, and biotherapeutics. We collaborate broadly within MRL, and with academic and industry partners to accelerate the pace of biologics discovery. 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 behaviors in working with a diverse group of researchers to drive our core mission.

Position Description:

The successful candidate will identify, develop and deploy cutting-edge computational and machine learning methods that enhance design and engineering workflows in the Discovery Biologics pipeline. They will partner across Discovery Biologics, Data Science, and IT departments to implement foundational algorithms, and democratize the use of machine learning methods across Discovery Biologics programs. Optimal candidates will also have experience with, or a demonstrated passion for, biotherapeutic drug discovery and will be motivated by opportunities to co-lead drug discovery teams focused on engineering biologics molecules. As a project leader, they will set priorities and goals for their teams and work side-by-side with them to solve complex research problems. They will mentor, coach, and train group members in computational protein design and machine learning methods. The successful candidate will collaborate broadly with project teams spanning data science, machine learning, protein engineering, and preclinical developability. They will contribute to program reviews and to updates for senior leadership and clinical management. The successful candidate will join a diverse group of innovative researchers who are driving the next revolution in biologics discovery and engineering.

Key Responsibilities

  • Develop and implement computational strategies to guide the design of biotherapeutics with desired biological and development characteristics

  • Working with project teams to drive adoption of machine learning methodologies

  • Implementing and applying machine learning methods to projects across Discovery Biologics

  • Present to group meetings, machine learning initiatives, and project and clinical teams

  • Co-lead of biologics drug discovery programs, including molecule design, registration and DNA construct ordering

  • Actively develops talent, strategically maximizes diversity to complement and strengthen their team

  • Fosters a high-performance culture of collaboration, engagement, self-accountability and inclusion

Position Qualifications:

Minimum Education Requirements:

  • PhD in Computational Biology, Computational Chemistry, Structural Biology, Biochemistry, or a related discipline with demonstrated expertise in novel engineering methods including machine learning and 4+ years of industry experience;

  • MS +8 or

  • BS +12 years of experience

Required Experience and Skills:

  • Experience in the discovery, engineering, or development of biotherapeutics

  • Significant experience engineering biologics using protein modeling software (e.g. Rosetta, TrRosetta, MOE, GROMACs, or similar)

  • Fluency in at least one modern programming language such as C++, Python, or similar.

  • Experience implementing novel computational methods to solve complex research challenges

  • The desire to teach and educate wet-lab researchers on the fundamentals of computational protein modeling methods and machine learning

  • Excellent written and oral communication skills

  • A demonstrated passion for team building and a track record of talent development

  • A champion for diverse and inclusive cultures

Preferred Experience and Skills:

  • Computational prediction or de novo design of therapeutic proteins or antibodies (biophysical properties, humanization, CDR prediction, antibody docking, and language models with structural integration)

  • Development and implementation of protein machine learning methods using challenging datasets

  • Development and implementation of protein deep learning methods using neural networks (LSTM, Transformers, GNN, VAE, etc.)

  • Structure and/or sequence based featurization of protein macromolecules for machine learning

  • Molecular dynamics of protein molecules including statistical descriptions of protein ensembles

  • Protein-protein interaction prediction and molecular docking

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.

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.

Residents of Colorado

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#EligibleforERP

Employees working in roles that the Company determines require routine collaboration with external stakeholders, such as customer-facing commercial, or research-based roles, will be expected to comply not only with Company policy but also with policies established by such external stakeholders (for example, a requirement to be vaccinated against COVID-19 in order to access a facility or meet with stakeholders). Please understand that, as permitted by applicable law, if you have not been vaccinated against COVID-19 and an essential function of your job is to call on external stakeholders who require vaccination to enter their premises or engage in face-to-face meetings, then your employment may pose an undue burden to business operations, in which case you may not be offered employment, or your employment could be terminated. Please also note that, where permitted by applicable law, the Company reserves the right to require COVID-19 vaccinations for positions, such as in Global Employee Health, where the Company determines in its discretion that the nature of the role presents an increased risk of disease transmission.

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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.

For more information about personal rights under Equal Employment Opportunity, visit:

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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.

Under New York City, Washington State and California State law, the Company is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the salary range for this job. Final determinations with respect to salary will take into account a number of factors, which may include, but not be limited to the primary work location and the chosen candidate’s relevant skills, experience, and education.

Expected salary range:

$119,700.00 - $203,400.00

Available benefits include bonus eligibility, health care and other insurance benefits (for employee and family), retirement benefits, paid holidays, vacation, and sick days. For Washington State Jobs, a summary of benefits is listed here.

Learn more about your rights, including under California, Colorado and other US State Acts

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:

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Hybrid

Shift:

Valid Driving License:

Hazardous Material(s):


Requisition ID:R200488