Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Spatial CRISPR

The postdoc would couple optical pooled CRISPR screens with cell painting and scRNA-seq to simultaneously interrogate a large and diverse array of cell biological phenotypes across thousands of genomic perturbations, integrate bioinformatic pipelines for image data analysis with other omics data from the same sample such as single cell RNA-seq, and develop novel assays to validate findings in disease-relevant models.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Design, execute, analyze, and interpret cell-based assays with disease-relevant phenotypes and determine feasibility and best approach for coupling pooled CRISPR screening with cell painting and/or scRNA-seq.

• Perform Spatial CRISPR screens with guidance from colleagues: establish screening parameters, execute the screen, analyze the results.

• Work closely with IT and bioinformatics groups across our Research & Development Division to communicate and coordinate data analysis needs such as establishing new bioinformatic pipelines or modifying existing pipelines to ensure timely data analysis.

• Design, analyze, and interpret validation experiments with assistance from colleagues across departments.

• Communicate progress, results, and conclusions to the group, project teams and other stakeholders.

• Prepare manuscript(s) for peer-reviewed publication and prepare presentations for internal audiences and the external scientific community.

Education Minimum Requirement:

Candidates must currently hold a PhD or receive a PhD within the next year in biological sciences or a related field.

Required Experience and Skills: ​

• Extensive hands-on experience in cell-based assay development, CRISPR-based screens.

• Hands-on experience with high-content imaging assays.

• Working knowledge and experience in molecular biology assays, especially next generation sequencing and/or other high throughput genomic technologies.

• Strong ability to troubleshoot and optimize novel methods and protocols.

• Keen understanding of experimental design, attention to detail and the ability to rigorously analyze and document results.

• Excellent communication (oral and written) skills including an ability to effectively communicate experimental design, results, and conclusions to internal and external communities, and to maintain detailed written records.

• Ability to work independently, but also an ability to work effectively in a collaborative and multidisciplinary environment.

Preferred Experience and Skills:

• Demonstrated experience with high content phenotypic screening.

• Image analysis tools experience (e.g. Columbus, Cell Profiler).

• Experience analyzing single cell sequencing data sets (scRNA-seq, CROP-seq/Perturb-seq).

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.

MRLpostdoc

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.