Principal Scientist - In Vitro Immunotherapy

The businesses of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany•Billerica, MA

3d•$126,900 - $215,400

About The Position

This role is for a Principal Scientist in In Vitro Immunotherapy at EMD Serono, focusing on shaping next-generation cancer immunotherapies. The scientist will lead and represent the in vitro strategy on discovery teams for Tumor Immunology projects, aiming to mobilize adaptive and innate immunity through various therapeutic approaches. The environment is fast-paced and highly collaborative, with the goal of turning bold ideas into high-quality clinical candidates. The company emphasizes innovation, scientific curiosity, and a commitment to improving and prolonging lives through healthcare solutions.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree with 8+ years of experience, or Master’s degree in Immunology, Cancer Immunology, Oncology, Molecular/Cell Biology, or other Science field with 5+ years of hands‑on immunology/immuno‑oncology (T‑cell biology) experience in academia or industry setting
PhD in Immunology, Cancer Immunology, Oncology, Molecular/Cell Biology, or other Science field with 2+ years post‑PhD of hands‑on immunology/immuno‑oncology (T‑cell biology) experience in academia or industry setting.
External applicants must be eligible to work in the US.

Nice To Haves

Experience with driving early drug discovery projects and leading cross-functional teams
Expertise developing, running complex T‑cell functional assays (activation receptors, costimulatory molecules, checkpoint receptors) and interpreting mechanistic data to inform early development
Experience in designing, executing, and interpreting in vitro assays for drug discovery, including tumor models and pharmacology experiments
Clear, crisp communicator; highly organized multi-tasker who adapts quickly to deliver on‑time data packages
Confident influencer who engages senior leadership and thrives in a matrixed organization
Proven scientific impact—publications and contributions advancing new therapeutic concepts

Responsibilities

Provide creative, strategic input—conceive new project ideas and help design execution‑ready workplans
Drive early drug discovery projects in immuno-oncology by designing, conducting and overseeing in vitro/ex vivo pharmacology studies (human immune cell / tumor cell co‑culture assays; profile function via flow cytometry, cytokine/biomarker readouts, and high‑content imaging) to support development of novel biological and small molecule agents
Build and validate human immunology models that complement animal studies to improve translational predictivity and de‑risk candidates
Scout, implement, and champion new assay platforms to investigate novel MOAs, boost data quality, throughput, and decision‑making speed
Independently generate in vitro data for target selection, lead optimization, candidate nomination; and enable program decisions toward IND‑enabling studies
Analyze, document, and present results to multidisciplinary teams and senior leadership; manage studies at CROs and academic collaborations where needed