Senior Scientist, Biology-Discovery

Job Description

We are seeking an innovative, highly motivated Senior Scientist to join our Molecular Virology group within the Infectious Disease and Vaccines department located in West Point, PA. Our mission is to develop and leverage state-of-the-art technologies in viral genetics and synthetic biology to address critical challenges in the development and advancement of vaccines, small-molecule antivirals, and monoclonal antibody (mAb) candidates. Additionally, we are dedicated to supporting the life cycle management of our licensed products.

In this role, the candidate will play a key part in designing and developing viral vectors, replicons and vaccine platforms. Primary responsibilities include constructing recombinant viruses and replicons for phenotypic characterization of antiviral resistance mutations, modifying viruses to attenuate pathogenicity, generating reporter viruses to support vaccine antigen, antiviral and mAb screening and characterization, and creating novel vaccine vectors for the delivery of viral antigens. The candidate will also have the opportunity to independently drive innovative research projects and collaborate with a talented, multidisciplinary team of scientists with diverse expertise in virology, bacteriology and immunology.

We value creative thinking, teamwork, and independent analytical problem-solving, and encourage highly skilled individuals with expertise in viral molecular biology, particularly in reverse genetics, to apply for this position.

Education Requirement

• PhD or equivalent w/3+ yr working experience in Infectious Disease or a related discipline in a pharma, biotech or academic setting (MS or BS w/10+ yr working experience)

Required Skills

• Extensive virology experience and knowledge with a demonstrated record of rigorous productive research in investigating host interactions, innate and adaptive immunity, and/or pathogenesis
• Proficiency in viral reverse genetics, molecular and cellular techniques, nucleic acid construct design and cloning
• Keen awareness and demonstrated application of emerging biology and new technologies
• Solid computer skills, independent experimental design and execution, and analytical problem-solving capabilities
• Excellent communication (verbal & writing) skills

Preferred Skills

• Postdoctoral training in virology
• Previous experience working with herpesviruses and/or respiratory viruses
• Previous experience working with large DNA constructs
• Knowledge of in vivo disease model, biomarker discovery and assay development as it relates to infectious diseases and immune responses
• Knowledge of drug discovery and translational research

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:

EEOC Know Your Rights

EEOC GINA Supplement

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.

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

U.S. Hybrid Work Model

Effective September 5, 2023, employees in office-based positions in the U.S. will be working a Hybrid work consisting of three total days on-site per week, Monday - Thursday, although the specific days may vary by site or organization, with Friday designated as a remote-working day, unless business critical tasks require an on-site presence.This Hybrid work model does not apply to, and daily in-person attendance is required for, field-based positions; facility-based, manufacturing-based, or research-based positions where the work to be performed is located at a Company site; positions covered by a collective-bargaining agreement (unless the agreement provides for hybrid work); or any other position for which the Company has determined the job requirements cannot be reasonably met working remotely. Please note, this Hybrid work model guidance also does not apply to roles that have been designated as "remote".

The salary range for this role is
$114,700.00 - $180,500.00

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:
Yes

Travel Requirements:
No Travel Required

Flexible Work Arrangements:
Not Applicable

Shift:
Not Indicated

Valid Driving License:
No

Hazardous Material(s):
N/A

Required Skills:
Adaptability, Assay Development, Bacteriology, Biochemical Assays, Biopharmaceutics, Cell Culture Techniques, Drug Target Identification, Flow Cytometry, High Content Screening, Immunoassays, Immunology, Immunotherapy, Infectious Disease, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Monoclonal Antibodies, Product Lifecycle, Product Management, Protein Purifications, Synthetic Biology, Transcriptomics, Virology

Preferred Skills:

Job Posting End Date:
06/20/2025
*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.

Requisition ID:R352507