Infectious Disease Scientist

Job Description

Our company's Infectious Disease and Vaccines group is seeking applicants for a Research Scientist position in the HIV Discovery area. This hands-on laboratory role contributes to in vivo studies, standardized biological assays, and development of novel biomarker assays (ELISA, qPCR, and related technologies). Candidates must be comfortable working with HIV-positive materials (laboratory strains and animal/patient-derived samples) and performing small-animal handling and procedures. The role requires strong organization, communication, and a willingness to learn new equipment and automation platforms.

Key responsibilities

• Support and execute in vivo rodent studies, including cage maintenance, animal handling, dosing (IP, SQ, IV, PO), and blood/tissue collection.

• Process biological samples and perform biomarker assays (ELISA, qPCR and other immunoassays) to generate high-quality data for HIV programs.

• Run standardized, validated biological assays and document results according to laboratory procedures and data integrity standards.

• Develop and optimize novel biomarker assays and support assay validation and troubleshooting.

• Maintain lab equipment, prepare reagents, and ensure compliance with biosafety protocols for handling HIV-positive materials.

• Record and manage experimental data using electronic lab notebooks and common office tools (Excel, Word, PowerPoint); communicate results to cross-functional teams.

• Contribute to lab organization, inventory management, and adherence to SOPs and regulatory requirements.

Basic qualifications

• BS or MS in biology, biochemistry, bioengineering, or a related life-science discipline.

• Minimum 3 years of hands-on research lab experience for BS candidates, or minimum 1 year for MS candidates (experience beyond classroom coursework required).

• Experience with rodent handling and small-animal procedures, including injections (IP, SQ, IV, PO) and blood sampling (IV, RO).

• Hands-on experience with molecular and immunoassay techniques such as ELISA and qPCR.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel.

• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, time management, and effective written and verbal communication.

• Willingness to work in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment and learn new laboratory instruments and automation platforms.

• Ability to work with HIV-positive materials under appropriate biosafety conditions.

             

Required Skills:

Adaptability, Animal Handling, Assay, Assay Development, Biochemical Assays, Biochemistry, Cell-Based Assays, Cell Biology, Cell Culture Techniques, Data Analysis, Detail-Oriented, Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA), Flow Cytometry, Immunochemistry, Immunocytochemistry (ICC), Infectious Disease, Infectious Disease Research, Inventory Management, In Vitro Assays, Lab Equipment Maintenance, Life Science, Microbiology, Molecular Biology Techniques, Specimen Collection Container, Supply Management

Preferred Skills:

Current Employees apply HERE

Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

US and Puerto Rico Residents Only:

Our company is committed to inclusion, ensuring that candidates can engage in a hiring process that exhibits their true capabilities. Please click here if you need an accommodation during the application or hiring process.

As an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, we provide equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.  As a federal contractor, we comply with all affirmative action requirements for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.  For more information about personal rights under the U.S. Equal Opportunity Employment laws, visit:

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We are proud to be a company that embraces the value of bringing together, talented, and committed people with diverse experiences, perspectives, skills and backgrounds. The fastest way to breakthrough innovation is when people with diverse ideas, broad experiences, backgrounds, and skills come together in an inclusive environment. We encourage our colleagues to respectfully challenge one another’s thinking and approach problems collectively.

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U.S. Hybrid Work Model

Effective September 5, 2023, employees in office-based positions in the U.S. will be working a Hybrid work consisting of three total days on-site per week, Monday - Thursday, although the specific days may vary by site or organization, with Friday designated as a remote-working day, unless business critical tasks require an on-site presence.This Hybrid work model does not apply to, and daily in-person attendance is required for, field-based positions; facility-based, manufacturing-based, or research-based positions where the work to be performed is located at a Company site; positions covered by a collective-bargaining agreement (unless the agreement provides for hybrid work); or any other position for which the Company has determined the job requirements cannot be reasonably met working remotely. Please note, this Hybrid work model guidance also does not apply to roles that have been designated as “remote”.

The salary range for this role is

$87,300.00 - $137,400.00

This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. An employee’s position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, geographic location, government requirements, and business or organizational needs.

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.

You can apply for this role through https://jobs.merck.com/us/en (or via the Workday Jobs Hub if you are a current employee). The application deadline for this position is stated on this posting.

San Francisco Residents Only: We will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records for employment in compliance with the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance

Los Angeles Residents Only: We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance

Search Firm Representatives Please Read Carefully 
Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, Rahway, NJ, USA, does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. All CVs / resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at our company without a valid written search agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of our company.  No fee will be paid in the event a candidate is hired by our company as a result of an agency referral where no pre-existing agreement is in place. Where agency agreements are in place, introductions are position specific. Please, no phone calls or emails. 

Employee Status:

Regular

Relocation:

Domestic

VISA Sponsorship:

No

Travel Requirements:

No Travel Required

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Not Applicable

Shift:

Not Indicated

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

n/a

Job Posting End Date:

05/13/2026

*A job posting is effective until 11:59:59PM on the day BEFORE the listed job posting end date. Please ensure you apply to a job posting no later than the day BEFORE the job posting end date.