Senior Scientist, Discovery Oncology

MSD • Boston, MA

3d • $119,100 - $187,500 • Onsite

About The Position

Merck is seeking an outstanding and motivated Senior Scientist to join its growing Discovery Oncology-Reverse Translation Team in Boston. The role uses clinical observations, real-world evidence, patient molecular datasets, and emerging high-resolution technologies to generate actionable biological hypotheses and develop experimental models that recapitulate clinical observations. The scientist will partner with translational, computational, and discovery scientists to bridge clinical findings with mechanistic studies using in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo systems.

In a collaborative, multidisciplinary environment, the role supports reverse translation initiatives to elucidate mechanisms of action of oncology therapeutics; identify mechanisms of response and resistance; prioritize molecular pathways and therapeutic vulnerabilities emerging from clinical datasets; and inform biomarker and therapeutic strategies for oncology programs. The scientist designs and conducts laboratory studies, analyzes and interprets complex biological and molecular datasets, and communicates findings to project teams and stakeholders.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Cancer Biology, Immunology, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Oncology, or a related STEM field; or an M.S. with 4+ years of relevant industry or academic experience; or a B.S. with 7+ years of relevant industry or academic experience.
• Strong understanding of cancer biology, tumor evolution, and the tumor microenvironment.
• Ability to translate clinical observations into testable biological hypotheses and develop experimental strategies to investigate mechanisms of therapeutic response and resistance.
• Hands-on expertise with in vitro and ex vivo systems and molecular biology techniques, including gene perturbation, gene overexpression, cell line engineering, RT-PCR, protein characterization, multi-color flow cytometry, and functional assays.
• Experience working across therapeutic modalities, including antibody-drug conjugates, bispecific antibodies, and/or small molecules.
• Familiarity with patient-derived models, xenograft models, and translational biomarker approaches.
• Experience using public functional genomics and pharmacology resources such as DepMap, PRISM, and TCGA, or related datasets, to identify therapeutic vulnerabilities, prioritize pathways, and generate biologically meaningful hypotheses.
• Ability to independently design, execute, analyze, and interpret experiments.
• Evidence of scientific productivity through publications, presentations, or patents.
• Strong organizational, communication, presentation, and collaboration skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, matrixed research environment while managing multiple priorities.

Responsibilities

• Use clinical observations, real-world evidence, patient molecular datasets, and emerging high-resolution technologies to generate biological hypotheses.
• Develop experimental models that recapitulate clinical observations and bridge clinical findings with mechanistic studies using in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo systems.
• Support reverse translation initiatives to elucidate mechanisms of action of oncology therapeutics and identify mechanisms of therapeutic response and resistance.
• Prioritize molecular pathways and therapeutic vulnerabilities emerging from clinical datasets.
• Inform biomarker and therapeutic strategies for relevant oncology programs.
• Design, execute, analyze, and interpret laboratory studies and complex biological and molecular datasets.
• Communicate findings to project teams and stakeholders.

Benefits

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

What This Job Offers

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