Associate Principal Scientist, Discovery Oncology, Reverse Translation

Merck • South San Francisco, CA

5d • $159,600 - $251,200 • Onsite

About The Position

We are seeking a highly motivated Associate Principal Scientist to join a bicoastal Discovery Oncology, Reverse Translation Team in South San Francisco. This role is an exciting opportunity to contribute to reverse translation efforts that leverage clinical insights, in vitro systems, and in vivo oncology models to identify novel therapeutic targets and elucidate mechanisms of tumor biology, disease progression, and therapeutic response. The successful candidate will work collaboratively with cross-functional team members to design, execute, analyze, and present high-quality laboratory studies, while providing scientific input to maximize the therapeutic opportunity of our current and growing pipeline. The ideal candidate will bring deep expertise in cancer biology, a track record of scientific rigor, independent thinking, and a collaborative mindset. Excellent organizational, oral, and written communication skills are essential, as is the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, multidisciplinary research environment.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Cancer Biology, Immunology, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Oncology, or a related STEM field, with at least four (4) years of postdoctoral training or relevant experience in industry or academia; MS and 7+ years of experience; OR BS and 11+ years of experience.
• In-depth knowledge of cancer biology, tumor biology, and mechanisms of therapeutic response and resistance.
• Track record of scientific rigor, creativity, and impact in relevant areas of oncology research, ideally demonstrated through publications and patents.
• Clear evidence of independent scientific leadership, experimental design, and delivery of actionable results.
• Extensive hands-on experience with in vitro cell-based assays and multiparametric flow cytometry.
• Strong foundation in molecular and cellular biology techniques for target identification and validation, including but not limited to RT-PCR, protein quantification, in vitro overexpression, knock-in, knock-out, and cell line generation approaches.
• Ability to deliver complex objectives under aggressive timelines in a rapidly changing research environment.
• Excellent communication, presentation, collaboration, time-management, and organizational skills.

Nice To Haves

• Previous experience contributing to reverse translation projects that integrate clinical observations with preclinical experimental strategies.
• Experience working with large datasets, patient-derived data, and/or multi-omics approaches to generate biologically meaningful hypotheses.
• Experience working across different therapeutic modalities, including bispecific antibodies, antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), and small molecules.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to reverse translation efforts that leverage clinical insights, in vitro systems, and in vivo oncology models to identify novel therapeutic targets and elucidate mechanisms of tumor biology, disease progression, and therapeutic response.
• Design, execute, analyze, and present high-quality laboratory studies.
• Provide scientific input to maximize the therapeutic opportunity of our current and growing pipeline.
• Work collaboratively with cross-functional team members.

Benefits

• medical, dental, vision healthcare and other insurance benefits (for employee and family)
• retirement benefits, including 401(k)
• paid holidays
• vacation
• compassionate and sick days
• annual bonus
• long-term incentive

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree