Job Title

Job Description We are seeking a highly motivated and innovative Associate Principal Scientist to join our Discovery Oncology team in South San Francisco. The successful candidate will have a strong track record in oncology and drug discovery and will lead the conception, design, and execution of discovery-stage research programs. In this role, you will partner closely with cross-functional teams across the organization to advance differentiated cancer therapies from target validation through early development. Key Responsibilities: + Analyze the evolving oncology treatment landscape to identify gaps, unmet medical needs, and competitive opportunities + Drive ideation and early-stage discovery efforts to deliver competitive oncology programs, leveraging internal expertise and emerging technologies + Design, establish, and optimize _in vitro_ and _ex vivo_ assays to elucidate mechanisms of action and assess therapeutic potential + Lead projects through effective cross-functional collaboration with stakeholders across the organization + Make timely, data-driven decisions that balance innovation, risk, and experimental rigor + Contribute to patents, IND-enabling activities, and high-quality research documentation and reports + Communicate scientific strategy, rationale, and results clearly to internal teams and help build external scientific presence through publications, conference presentations, and collaborations Qualifications: Education: + PhD in Cancer Biology, Cell Biology, Pharmacology, Immunology, Biochemistry or a related discipline with four (4) years of relevant experience in oncology drug discovery Required Experience and Skills: + Deep expertise in tumor biology, including cancer genomics and oncogenic signaling + Extensive hands-on experience designing, executing, and analyzing multi-color flow cytometry and mechanistic cell-based assays (e.g., viability/cytotoxicity, cell cycle, signaling, and immune response readouts) + Demonstrated ability to drive innovative research, evidenced by high-impact publications, patents, and/or successful advancement of discovery programs + Passionate, creative, and collaborative scientist committed to improving outcomes for people living with cancer + Broad technical expertise in molecular and cellular biology, biochemistry, and analytical methods + Excellent oral and written communication skills, a positive, team-oriented mindset, and strong leadership potential Preferred Experience and Skills: + Hands-on experience with novel therapeutic modalities (e.g., ADCs, TCEs, targeted protein degradation, RIPTACs) + Familiarity with or in-depth knowledge of cancer dependency databases and other large-scale oncology datasets #EligibleforERP Required Skills: Analytical Method, Antibody Drug Conjugates (ADC), Cancer Genomics, Cancer Research, Cell-Based Assays, Cellular Biology Techniques, Ex Vivo Assays, In Vitro Assays, Mechanism of Action Studies, Molecular Biology, Multi-Color Flow Cytometry, Oncology, Oncology Research, Protein Degradation, Signalling 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 Supplementu200b 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 anotheru2019s 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 u201cremoteu201d. The salary range for this role is $159,600.00 - $251,200.00 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 employeeu2019s 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 . You can apply for this role through (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 Angelesu2019 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/International VISA Sponsorship: Yes Travel Requirements: 10% Flexible Work Arrangements: Not Applicable Shift: 1st - Day Valid Driving License: No Hazardous Material(s): N/A Job Posting End Date: 03/2/2026 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. Requisition ID: R383680