Senior Scientist, Discovery Oncology

Merck•Boston, MA

2d•$119,100 - $187,500•Onsite

About The Position

We are seeking an outstanding and motivated Senior Scientist to join the 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 successful candidate will partner closely with translational, computational, and discovery scientists to connect clinical findings with mechanistic studies using in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo experimental systems. In a collaborative, multidisciplinary environment, the candidate will support 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 relevant oncology programs. The candidate will design and execute laboratory studies, analyze and interpret complex biological and molecular datasets, and communicate findings to project teams and stakeholders. The ideal candidate brings deep technical expertise in cancer biology, scientific curiosity, rigor, creativity, and a collaborative mindset.

Requirements

Ph.D. in Cancer Biology, Immunology, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Oncology, or a related STEM field; or an M.S. with 4 or more years of relevant industry or academic experience; or a B.S. with 7 or more 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 experimental 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 (ADCs), 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 molecular 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

Translate clinical observations and findings from real-world evidence and patient molecular datasets into actionable biological hypotheses.
Develop experimental models that recapitulate clinical observations.
Partner with translational, computational, and discovery scientists to connect clinical findings with mechanistic studies using in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo systems.
Support studies elucidating mechanisms of action of oncology therapeutics and mechanisms of therapeutic response and resistance.
Prioritize molecular pathways and therapeutic vulnerabilities emerging from clinical datasets.
Inform biomarker and therapeutic strategies for oncology programs.
Independently design and execute laboratory experiments, and analyze and interpret complex biological and molecular datasets.
Communicate scientific findings to project teams and stakeholders.