Director, Biology-Discovery

MSD•Rahway, NJ

11d•$190,800 - $300,300•Onsite

About The Position

The Director of a Screening and High Throughput Biology group within Quantitative Biosciences Early Discovery will set the group’s scientific direction and lead approximately eight scientists and associates. The role deploys screening and high-throughput biology capabilities in support of drug discovery programs across oncology, immunology, neuroscience, metabolic disease, ophthalmology, and infectious disease. The Director works in a highly matrixed environment with Discovery Chemistry, Discovery Biology, DMPK, and in vivo pharmacology to deliver high-quality, decision-enabling data. The position emphasizes leadership of lab-facing personnel and requires regular onsite presence, at least four days per week, in Rahway, New Jersey.

Requirements

Ph.D. with 10 or more years of experience in Cell Biology, Biochemistry, Pharmacology, Molecular Biology, Chemical Biology, Biophysics, or a related discipline; alternatively, a BS/MS with 15 or more years of directly applicable industry experience and demonstrated scientific leadership may be considered.
At least 10 years of relevant pharmaceutical or biotechnology drug discovery experience.
Demonstrated expertise in high-throughput biology platforms, with hands-on experience in one or more of CRISPR screening, large-scale transcriptional profiling such as DRUG-seq, high-content imaging, cell painting, or complex cellular model development.
Track record of contributing to early drug discovery programs.
Experience designing and executing research operating plans in support of lead discovery.
Direct people-management experience building, leading, and developing teams of scientists in a lab-facing environment.
Strong cross-functional collaboration skills.
Quantitative rigor in experimental design, data analysis, and interpretation of cell-based assay pharmacology.
Excellent communication skills and ability to distill complex datasets into clear recommendations for stakeholders.

Nice To Haves

Background in quantitative sciences, including quantitative pharmacology, biochemistry, or systems-level and mechanistic approaches to compound characterization.
Experience managing external collaborations, including CROs and academic partnerships.
Familiarity with AI/ML tools, data science approaches, and laboratory automation as applied to cell-based drug discovery.
Program or project team leadership experience beyond people management.
Scientific contributions demonstrated through publications, patents, or recognized internal impact.

Responsibilities

Work with department leadership to set the group’s scientific vision and strategy, defining priorities, success metrics, and standards for data quality and delivery.
Lead, develop, and retain a high-performing team through accountability, coaching, mentorship, and career development.
Apply high-throughput biology platforms, including CRISPR-based approaches, DRUG-seq, high-content imaging, cell painting, and complex biological models, to enable target identification, hit finding, compound profiling, and lead optimization.
Design and execute research operating plans that translate program strategy into actionable experimental work streams.
Interpret screening and profiling data quantitatively and mechanistically, grounded in pharmacology, to inform compound progression decisions.
Partner cross-functionally to integrate high-throughput biology deliverables into program-level decision-making.
Foster scientific rigor, curiosity, and data-driven decision-making within the group.
Build and maintain internal and external networks, including managing CRO relationships and academic collaborations.
Evolve the group’s technology portfolio and capabilities in response to portfolio needs.