Senior Scientist, Antibody Generation & Automation

Job Description

We are recruiting a Senior Scientist to support antibody generation and automation in our Molecular Discovery group located in South San Francisco.

Key Responsibilities:

• Execute automated liquid handling processes to support routine lab workflows, including protein normalization, serial dilution, cherry picking, and NGS library preparation.

• Use programming or scripting skills (e.g., Python, SQL, R) to support data processing, workflow automation, or instrument integration.

• Optimize, implement, and validate automated methods for high‑throughput antibody screening and characterization to assess binding and functional attributes.

• Support the expansion of high‑throughput screening (HTS) platforms, assay design, and the evaluation and integration of novel technologies.

• Perform general laboratory bioassay screening competently and independently, modifying and troubleshooting experimental design, methods, and instrumentation to meet evolving project needs.

• Independently analyze and interpret experimental results, placing data in proper scientific context through review of relevant literature.

• Perform cell culture of a variety types of cells to support characterization of antibodies and related biologics.

• Document, summarize, and report data clearly and accurately, including preparation of presentations for team and project meetings.

• Work on multiple projects in a fast‑paced, multidisciplinary team environment, collaborating effectively with cross‑functional partners.

• Manage project priorities, timelines, and deliverables across multiple workstreams, ensuring clear alignment with project goals and stakeholder expectations.

• Communicate project status, risks, next steps, automated assay development progress, troubleshooting outcomes, and key project data proactively through presentations and updates to project teams, automation working groups, group meetings, project leads, and cross-functional partners to support timely decision-making.

• Adhere to good laboratory practices, maintain accurate records, and ensure compliance with relevant safety and quality standards.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education:

• Bachelor's (with 7+ years), Master’s (with 4+ years) or Ph.D. in a relevant biological science field and relevant experience.

Required Experience and Skills:

• Proven experience with automated liquid handling platforms (e.g., Hamilton Microlab STAR) and robotic arms or similar automation technologies.

• Capability to program, configure, and troubleshoot methods using liquid handler software to support automated workflow development and optimization.

• Strong, hands‑on experience with assays, such as ELISA and flow cytometry/FACS.

• Experience independently planning experiments, troubleshooting, and managing multiple concurrent laboratory tasks or projects.

• Experience training laboratory users on the execution of automated methods.

• Experience overseeing daily laboratory operations, including EHS compliance, best practices, and related operational systems.

Preferred Experience and Skills:

• Prior hands-on experience contributing to the evaluation, development, or implementation of innovative technologies that enable de novo antibody discovery workflows, such as microfluidics-based platforms, genetic or mRNA immunization approaches, single-cell screening, or other high-throughput discovery technologies.

• Working knowledge of antibody discovery and characterization, protein engineering, and biologics modality design, with demonstrated ability to apply scientific understanding to support laboratory automation, assay development, and high-throughput discovery workflows.

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Required Skills:

Preferred Skills:

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

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The salary range for this role is

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 athttps://jobs.merck.com/us/en/compensation-and-benefits.

You can apply for this role throughhttps://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

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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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