Associate Scientist, Postdoctoral Fellow, Discovery Oncology

Merck & Co.•South San Francisco, CA

66d•$75,000 - $86,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Be a part of the legacy: Postdoctoral Research Fellow Program Our Research Laboratories' Postdoctoral Research Fellow Program aims to be a best-in-industry program for industrial postdoctoral researchers, designed to provide you with an academic focus in a commercial environment. With the resources, reach, and expertise of a large pharmaceutical company, postdoctoral researchers will be positioned to excel in an institution committed to breakthrough innovation in research and discovery. We are seeking a well-rounded, independent postdoctoral researcher to join the Discovery Oncology group in South San Francisco, CA. The successful candidate will contribute to defining fundamental mechanisms in tumor immunosuppressive networks using state-of-the-art in vitro and in vivo models and translate those insights toward therapeutic intervention. The role requires technical proficiency with rodent tumor models and immune assays, scientific rigor, independent thought, and an ability to operate effectively within a collaborative, multidisciplinary team. Education: Ph.D. completed within 6 months of hire in Oncology, Immunology, Cell Biology, or a related discipline.

Requirements

Fundamental knowledge of immunology.
Hands-on experience with basic cell culture, molecular biology, and cell-based assays.
Proficiency with mouse tumor models, including routine animal dosing and collection, processing, and analysis of tissue and blood samples
Experience with high-throughput flow cytometry, ELISA, and gene expression analysis (qPCR, RNA-seq workflows).
Strong analytical skills: experimental design, data analysis, interpretation, and troubleshooting.
Demonstrated scientific rigor and independence, evidenced by publications in peer-reviewed journals.
Excellent written and oral communication skills and ability to present complex data to diverse audiences.
Team-oriented mindset and ability to collaborate across multidisciplinary groups.

Nice To Haves

Background in T cell and/or macrophage biology and functional immunoassays.
Prior experience working with orthotopic/metastatic murine tumor models.
Experience with small animal surgeries and small-animal imaging modalities (bioluminescence, fluorescence, ultrasound, or MRI).
Familiarity with CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing techniques.

Responsibilities

Design, execute, and troubleshoot in vitro and in vivo experiments to interrogate tumor-immune interactions and test therapeutic hypotheses.
Establish and run orthotopic and metastatic murine tumor models, perform animal dosing, monitor tumor growth.
Perform small animal surgeries and imaging procedures as needed.
Collect, process, and analyze blood and tissue samples using flow cytometry, ELISA, gene expression assays, and other molecular and cell biology techniques.
Apply high-throughput flow cytometry and gene expression analysis to characterize immune cell populations and tumor microenvironment changes.
Build project strategy, analyze and interpret complex data, and iterate experimental plans to advance program goals.
Prepare clear, data-driven written reports, manuscripts, and presentations for internal teams and external scientific audiences.
Collaborate across discovery biology, translational science, and therapeutic modality teams to integrate findings into drug discovery pipelines.
Maintain accurate laboratory records and adhere to safety and regulatory standards.