Associate Principal Scientist, Discovery Oncology, Reverse Translation

Job Description

Job description: We are seeking a highly motivated Associate Principal Scientist to join a bicoastal Discovery Oncology, Reverse Translation Team in South San Francisco. This role is an exciting opportunity to contribute to reverse translation efforts that leverage clinical insights, in vitro systems, and in vivo oncology models to identify novel therapeutic targets and elucidate mechanisms of tumor biology, disease progression, and therapeutic response.

The successful candidate will work collaboratively with cross-functional team members to design, execute, analyze, and present high-quality laboratory studies, while providing scientific input to maximize the therapeutic opportunity of our current and growing pipeline. The ideal candidate will bring deep expertise in cancer biology, a track record of scientific rigor, independent thinking, and a collaborative mindset. Excellent organizational, oral, and written communication skills are essential, as is the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, multidisciplinary research environment.

• Ph.D. in Cancer Biology, Immunology, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Oncology, or a related STEM field, with at least four (4) years of postdoctoral training or relevant experience in industry or academia; MS and 7+ years of experience; OR BS and 11+ years of experience.

• In-depth knowledge of cancer biology, tumor biology, and mechanisms of therapeutic response and resistance.

• Track record of scientific rigor, creativity, and impact in relevant areas of oncology research, ideally demonstrated through publications and patents

• Clear evidence of independent scientific leadership, experimental design, and delivery of actionable results.

• Extensive hands-on experience with in vitro cell-based assays and multiparametric flow cytometry.

• Strong foundation in molecular and cellular biology techniques for target identification and validation, including but not limited to RT-PCR, protein quantification, in vitro over-expression, knock-in, knock-out, and cell line generation approaches.

• Ability to deliver complex objectives under aggressive timelines in a rapidly changing research environment.

• Excellent communication, presentation, collaboration, time-management, and organizational skills.

• Previous experience contributing to reverse translation projects that integrate clinical observations with preclinical experimental strategies.

• Experience working with large datasets, patient-derived data, and/or multi-omics approaches to generate biologically meaningful hypotheses.

• Experience working across different therapeutic modalities, including bispecific antibodies, antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), and small molecules

Our company is committed to inclusion, ensuring that candidates can engage in a hiring process that exhibits their true capabilities.

We will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records for employment in compliance with the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance

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

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.

Regular

Domestic

Yes

No Travel Required