Director, Biology-Discovery

MSD • Rahway, NJ

9d • Onsite

About The Position

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

The successful candidate will have deep expertise in high-throughput biology platforms and broad experience across target identification and validation, lead discovery, and optimization. A Ph.D. with at least 10 years of experience in a related discipline is sought; candidates with a BS/MS and at least 15 years of directly applicable industry experience and demonstrated scientific leadership may also be considered.

The primary location is Rahway, New Jersey. The role requires 10% travel, offers visa sponsorship, and includes eligibility for an annual bonus and long-term incentive, if applicable. The stated salary range for the primary location is $190,800 to $300,300. Benefits include medical, dental, vision, and other insurance coverage for employees and family, retirement benefits including 401(k), paid holidays, vacation, and compassionate and sick days.

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 experience in pharmaceutical or biotechnology drug discovery.
• Demonstrated expertise in high-throughput biology platforms and hands-on experience with one or more of CRISPR screening, scaled transcriptional profiling such as DRUG-seq, high-content imaging, cell painting, or development of complex cellular models.
• 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.
• Regular onsite presence of four or more days per week in Rahway, New Jersey.

Nice To Haves

• Background in quantitative sciences, including quantitative pharmacology, biochemistry, or systems-level/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 establish the group's scientific vision and strategy, including priorities, success metrics, and data quality and delivery standards.
• Lead, develop, and retain a high-performing team through accountability, coaching, mentorship, and career development of Ph.D. scientists, MS/BS associates, and contractors.
• Apply high-throughput biology platforms, including CRISPR-based approaches, DRUG-seq, high-content imaging, cell painting, and complex biological models, to support 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, with pharmacological grounding, 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 changing portfolio needs.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision healthcare, and other insurance benefits for employees and family.
• Retirement benefits, including 401(k).
• Paid holidays, vacation, and compassionate and sick days.
• Eligibility for an annual bonus and long-term incentive, if applicable.

What This Job Offers

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