Associate Scientist, Post Doc Fellow- Ophthalmology

MSD • South San Francisco, CA

6d • $82,000 - $92,000 • Onsite

About The Position

Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Program
The Research and Development Division Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Program offers an exceptional opportunity for emerging scientists to conduct cutting-edge research at the intersection of academic innovation and pharmaceutical discovery. By leveraging world-class technologies, expert mentorship, and a highly collaborative environment, fellows play a pivotal role in advancing novel scientific insights and therapeutic breakthroughs.

Position Overview
We are seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Research Fellow to join our Ophthalmology Discovery Research team in South San Francisco, California. This position offers an exciting opportunity to investigate fundamental mechanisms that regulate retinal homeostasis, tissue repair, and pathological remodeling in ocular diseases.
The successful candidate will leverage state-of-the-art in vitro and in vivo approaches to study various processes involved in retinal disease progression and recovery. This multidisciplinary project integrates molecular biology, advanced in vivo imaging, translational biomarker discovery, and systems-level data analysis to uncover novel mechanisms relevant to vision-threatening disorders.
The postdoctoral fellow will work in a highly collaborative environment alongside experts in retinal biology, pharmacology and translational science.

Requirements

• Must currently hold a PhD OR Receive a Ph.D. no later than spring 2027
• Ph.D. in Biology, Neuroscience, Pharmacology or related disciplines
• Demonstrated scientific excellence through a strong publication record in peer-reviewed journals and evidence of impactful research contributions.
• Hands-on expertise in molecular, cellular, and in vitro experimental techniques, with experience applying these approaches to address complex biological questions.
• Proven experience designing, conducting, and interpreting in vivo studies, including animal model development, execution, and data analysis.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to independently design experiments, interpret results, and drive research initiatives forward.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to thrive in a multidisciplinary, team-oriented environment while effectively presenting scientific findings to audiences.
• Data Analysis
• Disease Models
• Immunoassays
• In Vitro Studies
• In Vivo Studies
• Molecular Biology
• Ophthalmology
• Pharmacology
• Scientific Presentations
• Study Design

Nice To Haves

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• Preferred Skills:

Responsibilities

• Design and execute mechanistic in vitro studies using cell culture systems, functional assays, and molecular biology approaches to investigate disease mechanisms and therapeutic interventions.
• Conduct in vivo ophthalmology research in rodent models, including study execution and analysis of disease-relevant endpoints.
• Generate, analyze, and interpret complex biological datasets, integrating molecular, cellular, and multi-omics data to identify key pathways, mechanisms, and translational insights.
• Lead independent research initiatives and communicate scientific findings through presentations, publications, and active participation in internal and external scientific forums while contributing to a collaborative research environment.

Benefits

• 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

What This Job Offers

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