Senior Scientist, Protein and Structural Chemistry – Discovery Chemistry

Job Description

Are you ready to embark on an exhilarating career journey that combines innovation collaboration and impactful scientific discovery At our company a global leader in pharmaceuticals renowned for our commitment to excellence and groundbreaking research we are committed to improving lives through innovative medicines vaccines and animal health products.

Protein and Structural Chemistry (PSC) a global team in Discovery Chemistry (DC) supports protein structural determination from Discovery to Development agnostic to the modalities (small molecule peptide and macromolecules). Furthermore we elucidate the structural basis of mechanisms of action and perform analyses to develop formulations. PSC is a diverse and inclusive team of approximately 40 structural biologists that collaborate closely with medicinal and computational chemists informaticians mass spectrometrists biophysicists protein scientists and pharmacologists who employ state-of-the-art capabilities to drive drug design and development.

We are seeking a creative self-motivated structural biologist with exceptional interpersonal and problem-solving skills to join our growing PSC group. The successful candidate must have expertise in X-ray crystallography and Cryo-EM and will be responsible for all aspects of the experimental process from sample preparation and data collection through data processing structure determination and the effective communication of structural analyses with key stakeholders. The position requires active interaction with the external scientific community including presentations at external meetings. The successful candidate is expected to foster and contribute to a diverse workforce where colleagues and partners feel comfortable bringing their unique perspectives to work.

This position will be located in our newly renovated labs and office spaces within our vibrant research campus in Rahway New Jersey our companys headquarters. Our new labs are equipped with three state-of-the-art Cryo-EM microscopes including a FIB-SEM for cryo-electron tomography instrumentation for Cryo-EM grid preparation access to multiple synchrotrons around the world and frequent regular access to the IMCA-CAT beamline and crystallization equipment and automation.

Productive and collaborative interactions with other members of our global cross-functional department are required in this role. Inclusive and collaborative use of internal expertise and resources will be essential to success.

There is an expectation for periodic travel.

Required Experience and Skills:

• Ph.D. in structural biology biochemistry or related field.
• Demonstrated experience in a broad range of activities for atomic resolution single particle Cryo-EM including sample preparation data collection image processing and structure determination.
• Demonstrated experience in a broad range of activities for X-ray crystallography including crystallization screening and optimization crystal harvesting data collection and structure determination.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills to facilitate team progress and ensure clarity on program status for therapeutic team and management is required.
• Demonstrated strong organizational abilities with a proven track record of managing timeline effectively.
• Ability to prepare and publish peer-reviewed research.

Optional Experience and Skills:

• Experience with structure determination of small molecule-protein complexes and multi-subunit protein complexes.
• Experience with micro-electron diffraction.
• Characterization of drug formulations (e.g. VLPs/liposomes/LNPs) by electron microscopy.
• Knowledge of current biophysical and functional characterization methods (e.g. SPR thermal shift ligand-binding and calorimetric assays) to guide construct design and optimization.
• Experience using computational tools for protein engineering and design.
• Experience with scientific programming (e.g. Python) and interest in the application of computational tools to answer structural biology questions.

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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 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 Company is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the salary range for this job in certain states and cities within the United States. 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 candidates relevant skills experience and education.

Expected US salary range:

Available benefits include bonus eligibility long term incentive if applicable health care and other insurance benefits (for employee and family) retirement benefits paid holidays vacation and sick days. A summary of benefits is listed here.

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

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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.

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