Director Biophysics

Merck•Rahway, NJ

14h•Hybrid

About The Position

At our company, we are committed to improving the health and well-being of people around the world. As a leading global pharmaceutical company, we strive to make a difference through innovative research, discovery, and development of life-saving medications and vaccines. With over a century of experience and a steadfast dedication to scientific excellence, we have become a trusted name in the industry. Join our team and be a part of our mission to create a healthier future for all. We are looking for an exceptional Director to spearhead our biophysics team within the Quantitative Biosciences (QB) Early Discovery department. The ideal candidate will be a seasoned expert in pharmacology and drug discovery, responsible for guiding and inspiring a talented local team of pharmacologists with expertise in biophysics and NMR spectroscopy. Facilitated through strong leadership, this role involves forging alliances with cross-functional collaborators, championing new technologies and interfacing with our global pharmacology network. The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in evolving our Early Discovery organization into an industry leader. If you are a dynamic collaborator with an unwavering passion for making a positive impact on global health, we want you to join us in our mission to save and improve lives.

Requirements

Post-graduate degree in Biophysics, Biochemistry, Pharmacology or another related field with 10+ years of relevant industry experience: Ph.D. (10+ years), M.Sc. (12+ years) or B.Sc. (15+ years).
Strong leadership, management and mentoring skills, with an ability to lead through others, drive performance, make tough decisions, and foster a culture of collaboration and engagement.
Broad in-depth knowledge of biophysical techniques integral to drug discovery such as SPR, calorimetry, spectroscopy, NMR, thermal shift assays and strong knowledge relating binding kinetics and thermodynamics to their impact on drug action.
Proven track record of understanding complex biological mechanisms using a wide array of pharmacological techniques.
Track record of successfully advancing hits from screening campaigns into lead optimization and early clinical development.
Strong external reputation as evidenced through high-impact publications, presentations, and scientific community engagement.
Excellent verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills with a proven track-record of maintaining strong relationships with stakeholders.
Assay Development, Biochemistry, Biophysics, Drug Development Research, External Collaboration, Innovation, Mentorship, People Leadership, Professional Networking

Nice To Haves

Expertise in biochemistry, enzymology and/or protein production (cloning, expression & purification) is advantageous.
Prior experience with affinity-based screening approaches (FBLD, mRNA-display, DNA encoded libraries, affinity-selection mass spectrometry) is beneficial.
Data capture workflow implementation experience consistent with ML principles is preferred.
Experience in outsourcing and managing external collaborations (including CROs) is advantageous.
Prior experience leading cross-functional teams in an early drug discovery setting is desirable.
Prior experience implementing novel technologies to impact early drug discovery is beneficial.
Biochemical Assays, Cell Biology, Collaboration, Drug Discovery Process, Lead Optimization, Membrane Proteins, Protein Interactions, Protein Purifications, Small Molecules

Responsibilities

Lead and manage a team of biophysicists, NMR spectroscopists & pharmacologists, providing guidance, mentorship, accountability, and professional development opportunities.
Oversee the design, development and execution of biophysical assays supporting all stages of drug discovery with an emphasis on screening, hit validation & hit-to-lead activities.
Implement an integrated biophysical characterization of screening hits, tool molecules and early leads (inclusive of small molecules, peptides and proteins) by deploying an array of orthogonal techniques.
Implement data capture strategies and workflows consistent with FAIR principles and machine-learning.
Participate in operations, strategy advancement and talent development for the department as a member of the leadership team.
Stay abreast of advancements in the field & drive innovation through technology development, external collaboration & long-range capability planning.
Contribute to a high-performance culture of inclusion, collaboration, engagement and self-accountability.
Promote the external reputation of our department through publications and participating in external symposia (co-organizing, chairing & presenting).
Represent the QB/Pharmacology function at program team meetings, due diligence exercises and cross-functional teams as needed.
Ensure compliance with company established practices and procedures, including laboratory notebooks, computer files, quality and regulatory guidelines, and safety standards.