Job Description

About the Team

At our Company, our scientists are united by a common purpose: applying innovative science to discover medicines that make a meaningful difference for patients. Within Quantitative Biosciences Early Discovery (QBED), we leverage advanced technologies and multidisciplinary collaboration to address challenging therapeutic targets and enable the next generation of drug discovery.

The Affinity Selections team develops and applies mRNA Display and DNA Encoded Library (DEL) technologies to discover peptide and small molecule leads against difficult biological targets. Working closely with colleagues across biology, protein sciences, chemistry, biophysics, automation, and computational sciences, we aim to advance both discovery programs and platform capabilities.

Beyond executing screens, we seek to understand why experiments succeed or fail, identify patterns across campaigns, and continuously improve our technologies, workflows, and scientific approaches.

Position Overview

We are seeking a collaborative scientist to join the Affinity Selections team in Rahway, NJ, with a primary focus on mRNA Display technologies.

The successful candidate will contribute to the execution, optimization, and continued advancement of our affinity-selection platforms while supporting discovery efforts against challenging therapeutic targets. This role requires strong experimental skills, scientific curiosity, and the ability to integrate information from multiple sources to guide scientific decision-making.

Experience with mRNA Display is highly desirable. Candidates with experience in related genotype-to-phenotype discovery technologies are also encouraged to apply.

Primary Responsibilities

• Design, execute, troubleshoot, and optimize mRNA Display affinity-selection campaigns.
• Analyze experimental and NGS data to support hit identification and project progression.
• Develop and improve selection strategies, workflows, and platform performance.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of new technologies and scientific approaches.
• Draft, maintain, and update SOPs, protocols, and technical documentation.
• Present scientific findings and recommendations to project teams and stakeholders.
• Collaborate effectively with scientists across multiple disciplines.
• Contribute to knowledge sharing, training, and continuous improvement efforts.

Collaboration and Team Culture

We believe scientific excellence is built through both individual contributions and effective teamwork.

We value scientists who:

• Demonstrate scientific rigor, integrity, and attention to detail.
• Approach challenges with curiosity, humility, and an open mind.
• Integrate information across disciplines and connect observations to broader scientific questions.
• Apply previous experiences constructively while remaining receptive to new ideas and approaches.
• Share knowledge openly and contribute to the success of colleagues.
• Build trust through reliability, accountability, and consistent execution.
• Value team success alongside individual achievement.

We are looking for a scientist who is eager to learn, willing to contribute, and motivated to strengthen both our discovery platforms and our team.

Minimum Qualifications

Candidates must meet one of the following:

• PhD in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Biophysics, Chemical Biology, Structural Biology, or a related scientific discipline; or
• MS with 4+ years of relevant research or industry experience in affinity-selection or genotype-to-phenotype discovery technologies.

Required Qualifications

• Strong understanding of molecular biology, protein biochemistry, affinity-based screening, and NGS-based analysis.
• Demonstrated ability to design, execute, optimize, and troubleshoot complex experimental workflows.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze and integrate data from multiple experimental approaches to guide scientific decision-making.
• Strong critical-thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively across disciplines and contribute effectively to team-based science.

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Hands-on experience with mRNA Display is strongly preferred.
• Experience with genotype-to-phenotype discovery technologies and use of NGS data to identify and prioritize hits.
• Experience with phage display, yeast display, ribosome display, CIS display, DNA display, or related technologies.
• Experience in a pharmaceutical or biotechnology research environment.
• Experience developing new technologies and improving scientific workflows.
• Experience writing SOPs, protocols, and technical documentation.
  

Why Join Us?

This role offers an opportunity to advance industry-leading discovery platforms while working alongside a highly collaborative team dedicated to scientific excellence, innovation, and continuous learning. The successful candidate will contribute to future therapeutic discoveries while helping strengthen the capabilities and impact of the Affinity Selections team.

Required Skills:

Preferred Skills:

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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:

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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.

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The primary location for this posting is:

Where required by law, the compensation range for this role is provided below.

The salary range for the primary location of this role is:

This range reflects the Company's reasonable expectation of the base salary applicable to this role at the time of 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.

Additional location(s): Please note the salary range above applies to the Primary Location of the position. Where a role has other listed locations, different compensation guidelines may apply. You may find the salary ranges for additional locations below. If the salary range is not listed for the location you are applying to, our Talent Acquisition team will provide further information to you relevant to your location.

Additional location(s) Compensation Information:

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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