Senior Scientist, Functional Genomics

Job Description

We are seeking a highly motivated Senior Scientist with expertise in functional genomics to join the Genome Sciences team within the Data, AI and Genome Sciences (DAGS) Department in Cambridge, MA. Our group’s mission is to develop high-throughput cutting-edge genomic technologies to better understand disease mechanisms and to accelerate the discovery of new targets and biomarkers across therapeutic areas. Our group utilizes innovative genetic screening (pooled, arrayed and optical pooled CRISPR) and multi-omic single cell sequencing approaches to impact all stages of the pipeline from pre-clinical to clinical development. Genome Sciences collaborates closely with Oncology, Immunology, Ophthalmology, Cardiometabolic disease, Neuroscience and Chemical Biology areas throughout the Discovery, Preclinical and Translational Medicine (DPTM) organization. The successful candidate will join a highly collaborative environment, will be an active participant in scientific dialogue, and will work independently in multidisciplinary teams.

In this exciting role you will:

• Design, troubleshoot and execute optical pooled screens, interpret data to pursue key questions across broad areas of biology

• Develop cell-based assays with disease-relevant phenotypes and determine feasibility and best approach for optical pooled genetic screens

• Identify and develop new applications for optical pooled screen technology that can accelerate identification and validation of novel targets and impact the Discovery program pipeline

• Collaborate with therapeutic area scientists to validate targets, research mechanisms of action, and characterize novel drug targets coming from wet and dry lab approaches

• Perform accurate record-keeping for electronic notebooks

• Maintain laboratory space and equipment used for OPS experiments

• Make timely, data-driven decisions that balance innovation, risk, and experimental rigor

• Communicate results and findings clearly and concisely to project teams and stakeholders. 

Education and Work Experience Requirements:

• Ph.D. in cell and molecular biology, Genomics, Genetics, Bioinformatics, Bioengineering, Biotechnology, Computational Biology, Biophysics, or a related life sciences discipline, with at least 2 years' experience in the biotech or pharmaceutical industry (relevant postdoctoral experience may be counted toward this requirement).

Required Experience and Skills

• Demonstrated ability to design, execute, troubleshoot, and interpret optical pooled screens

• Broad technical experience in cell-based assay development and molecular biology

• Ability to foster and drive research projects while working with multiple disciplinary teams in a matrixed environment

• Highly motivated, capable of working independently, prioritizing experiments and providing high-quality data to meet the discovery program timelines

• Effective written and verbal communication skills

Preferred Experience and Skills:

• Familiarity with high-throughout lab automation and liquid-handling technologies

• Experience with image analysis tools (e.g. Signals Image Artist, Cellpose)

• Experience generating scRNA-seq datasets

• Experience with analysis of functional genomics screens

#EligibleforERP

Required Skills:

CRISPR-Cas System, Genetic Screening, Genomics, High Content Screening, Molecular Biology, Omics, Single-Cell Genomics, Teamwork

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:

EEOC Know Your Rights

EEOC GINA Supplement​

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.

Learn more about your rights, including under California, Colorado and other US State Acts

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

$119,100.00 - $187,500.00

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:

No relocation

VISA Sponsorship:

Yes

Travel Requirements:

No Travel Required

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Not Applicable

Shift:

Not Indicated

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

Standard lab reagents

Job Posting End Date:

04/24/2026

*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.