Scientist, Pharmacokinetics

MSD • South San Francisco, CA

5d • $108,000 - $170,100 • Hybrid

About The Position

This position will support our Company’s biologics drug discovery and development efforts in the Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics (DMPK) Group within the Pharmacokinetics, Dynamics, Metabolism and Bioanalytics (PDMB) organization at our Research & Development Division in South San Francisco. The successful candidate will be a laboratory‑based scientist responsible for generating in vitro and in vivo ADME and pharmacokinetic data to support biologics programs. The role applies strong foundational expertise in protein biochemistry and biophysics to understand how molecular properties influence clearance mechanisms and PK/PD relationships of biologics including antibodies, bi‑/multi‑specifics, peptides, conjugates, and other novel modalities. We are seeking a flexible, curious, and proactive scientist with strong protein biochemistry/biophysics expertise and a passion for both reliably executing routine, decision‑enabling assays and developing and optimizing new assays that support biologics programs across multiple therapeutic areas. In this role, the scientist will have the opportunity to work closely with project teams and partner groups across our network to advance drug discovery efforts. Candidates who are enthusiastic about supporting pipeline needs through high‑quality, reproducible assay execution, motivated to investigate mechanistic drivers of protein interactions, and interested in automation and biophysical techniques are especially encouraged to apply.

Requirements

• Strong background in protein biochemistry/biophysics and hands‑on experience applying protein biochemistry and biophysics principles in a biological, pharmacokinetic, or translational context.
• Ability to analyze, troubleshoot, organize, and interpret data, with familiarity using software such as GraphPad Prism, Excel, or similar tools.
• Excellent attention to detail, strong documentation practices, and the ability to work under minimal supervision in a fast-paced research environment.
• Strong interpersonal, problem-solving, and communication skills with a collaborative and growth-oriented mindset.

Nice To Haves

• Strong hands-on experience in cell culture and execution of cell‑based functional assays.
• Experience leveraging relevant biochemical/biophysical techniques to characterize proteins (e.g., immunoprecipitation, western blotting, flow cytometry, Mass spectrometry, etc)
• Experience quantifying protein concentrations in biological matrices using certain ligand-binding assays (e.g., ELISA, etc.)
• Experience with biologics DMPK assays, such as receptor binding and kinetics, drug/receptor internalization and cellular trafficking assays to derive kinetic parameters
• Prior experience with Octet/BLI, SPR, or similar biophysical techniques is a plus.
• Familiarity with various ligand binding assay workflows is a plus (ELISA, Gyrolab).
• Exposure to automation, liquid handlers, or high-throughput assay systems

Responsibilities

• Perform routine and exploratory biochemistry and biophysics‑based assays, including protein biochemistry and biophysical interaction assays, to quantify receptor binding, cellular trafficking and degradation, non-specific binding/clearance and other parameters important for DMPK properties of biologics.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to design, optimize, and execute assays aligned with project needs.
• Generate and analyze data with high attention to detail, and maintain complete and accurate electronic laboratory notebooks.
• Contribute to the implementation of automation solutions and semi-automated workflows to increase throughput and reproducibility.
• Support the development and optimization of protocols and standard operating procedures and maintain and troubleshoot instruments.
• Communicate experimental plans and results clearly via written reports and verbal presentations.

Benefits

• The successful candidate will be eligible for annual bonus and long-term incentive, if applicable.
• We offer a comprehensive package of benefits. Available benefits include medical, dental, vision healthcare and other insurance benefits (for employee and family), retirement benefits, including 401(k), paid holidays, vacation, and compassionate and sick days.
• More information about benefits is available at https://jobs.merck.com/us/en/compensation-and-benefits.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level