Job Description

Associate Scientist, Postdoctoral Research Fellow - Translational Imaging
Be a part of the legacy: Postdoctoral Research Fellow Program

Our Research Laboratories’ Postdoctoral Research Fellow Program aims to be a best-in-industry program for industrial postdoctoral researchers, designed to provide you with an academic focus in a commercial environment. With the resources, reach, and expertise of a large pharmaceutical company, postdoctoral researchers will be positioned to excel in an institution committed to breakthrough innovation in research and discovery.

Position Overview

We are seeking a highly motivated scientist for a postdoctoral fellowship position within the Translational Imaging group at our company's Research Laboratories in South San Francisco, California.

The successful candidate will contribute to the development and application of advanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) approaches to investigate skeletal muscle physiology, muscle metabolism, and muscle health in metabolic disease. The fellowship will focus on quantitative imaging biomarker development and translational imaging technologies that enable noninvasive assessment of muscle composition, function, and energetics in preclinical models. The position offers a unique opportunity to combine MRI physics, imaging technology development, and muscle physiology research within a multidisciplinary drug discovery environment.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement advanced MRI/MRS methodologies for preclinical research.
• Design, optimize, and validate imaging acquisition and analysis workflows.
• Contribute to MRI pulse sequence development and programming.
• Analyze and interpret complex imaging datasets using quantitative and computational approaches.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams across imaging, biology, pharmacology, and data science.
• Present research findings at scientific conferences and publish results in peer-reviewed journals.
• Drive innovative research projects while developing scientific independence and technical leadership.

Education Minimum Requirement

• Must currently hold a PhD OR
• Receive a Ph.D. no later than spring 2027
• Ph.D. in Physics, Medical Physics, Biomedical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Imaging Science, Biophysics, Applied Mathematics, or a related quantitative discipline.

Required Experience and Skills

• Strong foundation in MRI physics and magnetic resonance theory.
• Experience with MRI pulse sequence development and/or pulse sequence programming.
• Experience with quantitative image analysis and scientific computing.
• Programming experience in Python, MATLAB, C++, or related languages.
• Demonstrated scientific productivity through publications and presentations.
• Excellent problem-solving, communication, and collaborative skills.

Preferred Experience and Skills

• Experience with MRI/MRS method development, pulse sequence programming, image reconstruction, or quantitative imaging.
• Experience with ³¹P magnetic resonance spectroscopy (³¹P MRS) and/or other advanced spectroscopy techniques.
• Experience working with preclinical or clinical MRI systems.
• Experience in obesity, diabetes, metabolic disease, skeletal muscle biology, adipose biology, or related fields.
• Experience working with and handling laboratory animals in a research setting.
• Familiarity with machine learning, AI, or quantitative biomarker development.
• Interest in translational imaging and muscle physiology research.

The salary range for this role is: $82,000-$92,000

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.

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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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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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