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Merck · 1 day ago

Associate Principal Scientist, Research Science

USA - Nebraska - Elkhorn

Full-time

Hybrid

Senior Level, Lead/Staff

$126K/yr - $199K/yr

3+ years exp

Merck is seeking an energetic and highly motivated Scientist in Antibody Engineering. The role focuses on antibody discovery, optimization, and characterization, collaborating with cross-functional teams to advance therapeutic antibodies and novel biologics.

BiotechnologyHealth CareMedicalPharmaceutical

Comp. & Benefits

H1B Sponsored

Responsibilities

Design and initiate target-focused antibody discovery strategies

Design, develop and optimize selection methods to enrich for affinity, specificity, cross‑reactivity, and epitope diversity

Interface with CROs or platform vendors for immunization or display campaigns as needed

Conduct affinity maturation, speciation (e.g. caninization/felinization), and specificity engineering (e.g., CDR grafting, back‑mutation, structure‑guided design)

Engineer formats including Fabs, scFvs, VHHs, bispecifics, multispecifics, and Fc variants for tailored effector functions and half‑life

Apply in silico tools for sequence liability assessment, developability predictions, and structure modeling

Work with other team members to characterize biophysical and biochemical properties

Assess binding by ELISA, SPR/BLI, flow cytometry

Perform epitope binning/mapping and cross‑species reactivity

Collaborate with biology teams to evaluate potency, MOA, and functional readouts

Work with CMC teams to screen for developability (solubility, stability, aggregation, viscosity, PTM liabilities) and implement sequence fixes

Provide input on sequence selection and manufacturability risks

Plan, prioritize, and execute experiments; analyze data and present in cross‑functional forums

Author study reports and contribute to patent filings and regulatory documents

Mentor junior associates and help implement best practices and data management

Apply knowledge of key signal transduction pathways to design appropriate assay systems for characterization of biological and pharmacological effects of new veterinary therapeutics

Develop and manage project specific milestones and timelines

Manage the R&D relationships with external service providers

Prepare progress reports and make presentations to stakeholders

Stay informed of external advances & technologies to enhance the product development portfolio

Communicate progress and plans to a variety of stakeholders with diverse expertise

Provide support, coaching or assistance to other team members

Qualification

Antibody EngineeringAntibody DiscoveryBiomolecular Interaction MethodsData AnalysisDisplay PlatformsDevelopability AssessmentMolecular Biology ToolsScientific WritingProject ManagementCommunication Skills

Required

Ph.D. in a biological discipline

3+ years relevant work experience in antibody discovery/engineering

Demonstrated experience with at least one display platform (phage, yeast, or mammalian) or immunization‑based antibody discovery

Hands‑on expertise in antibody engineering (speciation, affinity maturation, specificity tuning, format engineering)

Proficiency in biomolecular interaction methods and analytical characterization (e.g., SPR/BLI)

Proficiency with developability assessment and mitigation of sequence liabilities (e.g., deamidation, isomerization, oxidation, glycosylation hotspots)

Strong data analysis and documentation skills

Proficiency with molecular biology and sequence design tools (e.g., Geneious, MOE/Rosetta, IgBLAST/IMGT)

Ability to interpret and analyze data from key biological, biochemical and immunological assay systems and design appropriate follow-on experiments

Ability to contribute or manage more than one project at a time

Excellent communication and cross‑functional collaboration skills