Job Description

Our Research Laboratories in South San Francisco is focused on driving discovery research.  Our new multi-disciplinary discovery research site offers state-of- the-art resources to explore the most promising science combined with our Company’s world-class Research and Discovery expertise in small molecules and biologics. Located within the heart of the Bay area’s biomedical community, research conducted in the new laboratories spans exploratory biology through early clinical development and is an integral part of our Company’s powerful world-class network of drug and vaccine discovery.

 

We are inspired by the belief that a research-focused enterprise dedicated to scientific excellence can create medicines and vaccines that save and improve lives. Every employee is building on our proud legacy of scientific breakthrough. Our ability to impact the lives of patients worldwide relies on the integrity, creativity, humility and scientific acumen of our team. We are creating a organization that is inspired by invention and founded on a culture of respect and collaboration. At our Research Labs, you’ll have the opportunity to expand your knowledge and skills through partnership with talented and dedicated colleagues while advancing your career.

 

The Scientist position under the guidance of Laboratory Animal Veterinarians will provide study support and world class animal care to impact drug development and discovery and improve human health. The successful candidate will be integral in planning, designing, and executing in vivo pharmacokinetic (PK), ADME studies in rodents, as well as some routine veterinary and animal colony management tasks. These internal studies are key in supporting preclinical projects across our company's research portfolio.  On-site and hands-on study-related lab work will be a crucial part of the role. The ideal candidate should be team oriented, value workplace partnership and can work with minimal to no supervision.

 

The role also requires rotation weekend/holiday work and the ability to apply sound technical skills to assigned tasks.

 

Key Responsibilities:

• Contribute to the planning, design, and execution of rodent in vivo PK, ADME, and related studies, including animal ordering, compound administration and dosing across all routes (with an emphasis on intravenous), clinical observations, anesthesia, perioperative monitoring, sample collection, and tissue collection.
• Manage study timelines and maintain accurate, timely, and well-organized records of animal treatments, study data, procedures, inventories, research protocols, and reports.
• Conduct research procedures and medical treatment regimens for research animals under the guidance of the Veterinarian including weekends and holidays.
• Work independently and be proactive in seeking opportunities, while also contributing positively to team dynamics.
• Support activities and in the areas of inspection readiness, safety initiatives, cost containment, efficiency, productivity, energy conservation, waste minimization, operational excellence, and lean practices.
• Learn new procedures to support additional in vivo studies and vivarium operations.

 

 

Education: 

• B.S. or M.S. in Biology or related in vivo field

 

Required Experience and Skills:

• A minimum of (2) years in a Research in vivo field
• Demonstrable passion for animal care and welfare.
• Eager to learn technical and scientific skills and a comprehensive understanding of the R&D process.
• Ability to follow procedures and thoroughly document data collection results.
• Competency to independently recognize challenges (technical, scientific, or study-related) and provide relevant input for solution/problem solving.
• Proactive, innovative, and solution-oriented mindset.
• Excellent organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and with a team.
• Willing to work weekends and holidays on rotation.

 

 

Preferred Experience and Skills:

• ALAT, AAALAS certification

#eligibleforERP

Required Skills:

Animal Handling, Animal Welfare, Biotechnology Research, Blood Specimen Collection, Clinical Development, Clinical Laboratory Testing, Clinical Reporting, Clinical Research, Clinical Sciences, Clinical Trial Development, Ethical Standards, Laboratory Techniques, Preclinical Research, Registered Laboratory Animal Technologist (RLATG), Use of Laboratory Equipment

Preferred Skills:

Current Employees apply HERE

Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

US and Puerto Rico Residents Only:

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

EEOC Know Your Rights

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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.

Learn more about your rights, including under California, Colorado and other US State Acts

The primary location for this posting is:

USA - California - South San Francisco (Grand Ave)

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

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

$108,000.00 - $170,100.00

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

Search Firm Representatives Please Read Carefully 
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. 

Employee Status:

Regular

Relocation:

No relocation

VISA Sponsorship:

No

Travel Requirements:

10%

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Not Applicable

Shift:

Not Indicated

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

N/A

Job Posting End Date:

10/21/2026

*A job posting is effective until 11:59:59PM on the day BEFORE the listed job posting end date. Please ensure you apply to a job posting no later than the day BEFORE the job posting end date.