Description

Job Description

Location: Boston, MA

Department: Biology-Discovery / Neuroscience

Our Company's Neuroscience is recruiting a Principal Scientist in Boston/Cambridge, MA to develop and oversee implementation of biomarker discovery and translational strategies. We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced scientist to join our Neuroscience team in a role that will drive biomarker discovery and enable clinical translation by integrating cutting-edge data analytics, novel assay development, and cross-functional collaboration. The successful candidate will be an experienced Neuroscientist with expertise in drug discovery, novel biomarker discovery, and assay development across diverse platforms.

You will collaborate across multiple drug discovery teams and functional areas including Discovery, Translational Experimental Medicine, Translational Genome Analytics and Quantitative Pharmacometrics teams. You will develop experimental strategies that leverage in vitro and in vivo model systems as well as large scale, multi-modal human clinical datasets. Through collaborations with data analytics colleagues you will integrate findings with patient clinical phenotypes, genetics, proteomics, imaging and fluid biomarkers to support early and advanced programs in the Neuroscience portfolio. You will also assume a hands-on role, working with assay developers and data analytics colleagues on best practices and aligning resources based on scientific priorities. You will operate in a highly collaborative environment, partnering with peers across multiple locations and in the broader scientific community. Strong communication skills and a collaborative mindset are critical for success.

In this exciting role, you will:

• Collaborate with internal and external collaborators to develop and execute comprehensive workplans that interrogate large clinical cohort datasets by apply cutting-edge and scalable biomarker platforms with significant emphasis on OMICs technologies
• Develop and execute biomarker assays within our Company and through external CROs that utilize single or multi-analyte detection and apply to large clinical cohort serum and CSF sample sets. Bridge outcomes to tractable application clinical biomarker plans.
• Coordinate access to multi-resolution genetic, transcriptomic, proteomic, and imaging data derived from patient cohorts and tissues, cerebrospinal fluid, serum to decode disease biology that informs on novel targets and discover patient stratification biomarkers in complex diseases of the nervous system.
• Co-lead a cross-functional team of scientists applying spatial and single-cell multi-omics data derived from human, animal model and organoid tissue samples aiming to decode disease-relevant cellular interactions and cell-type specific molecular networks with emphasis on neuroimmune mechanisms with the goal of novel biomarker discovery in neurodegenerative diseases (e.g. AD, PD and pain).
• Serve as a core member on early clinical development teams and have opportunity to lead project teams.
• Clearly communicate results to project teams, our company's scientific community, and the external scientific community through internal documents, presentations, and publications in leading journals

Required Experience and Skills:

• Ph.D. in Neuroscience, Neurology, Neurobiology, Biology, Pharmacology, Bioengineering/Biomedical Engineering, Genetics/Genomics, Computational Biology, or a related life sciences field and a minimum of 7 years industry and/or highly relevant applied academic postgrad experience or MS in above fields and 10+ years of experience.
• A solid track record of leading biomarker discovery efforts and working with discovery and early clinical teams
• Experience using translationally-relevant preclinical models of neurodegenerative diseases
• Demonstrated experience collaborating across bioinformatics, data analytics and quantitative pharmacometrics team to decode disease biology through analysis of multi-modal (transcriptomic, genomic, proteomics) patient-derived data
• Direct experience developing and validating biomarker assays with emphasis on applying diverse measurement platforms.
• Strong ability to work and influence in complex matrixed organizations
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Ability to establish and maintain productive cross-site and external collaborations

Preferred Experience and Skills:

• Experience with drug discovery across multiple modalities (e.g., small molecule, biologics, etc.)
• Experience as a liaison to academic and large precompetitive consortia focused on the natural history of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
• Deep understanding of complex neurodegenerative diseases and/or neurological disorders with knowledge of the latest research and trends in the field. Expertise in general immune and inflammation.
• Familiarity with data analytics strategies in the context of traditional and OMICs based data sufficient to effectively liaise with data science colleagues applying state-of-art AI approaches in neurodegenerative diseases

Travel

• Up to 10% travel is required

#EligibleforERP

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

EEOC GINA Supplement

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

Required Skills:
Adaptability, Assay Development, Biochemical Assays, Biomarker Discovery, Biomarkers, Clinical Development, Collaborative Communications, Detail-Oriented, Drug Discovery Process, Genomics, In Vivo Models, Leading Project Teams, Neurodegenerative Diseases, Neurology, Neuroscience, Persuasion, Professional Networking, Proteomics

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

EEOC GINA Supplement

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

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 presence.This 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 salary range for this role is
$169,700.00 - $267,200.00

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

You can apply for this role through https://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

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:
Domestic

VISA Sponsorship:
Yes

Travel Requirements:
10%

Flexible Work Arrangements:
Not Applicable

Shift:
Not Indicated

Valid Driving License:
No

Hazardous Material(s):
n/a

Job Posting End Date:
12/18/2025
*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.

Requisition ID:R377645