Merck Sharp & Dohme
Senior Principal Scientist, Cellular Pharmacology and Lead Discovery
Merck Sharp & Dohme, South San Francisco, California, us, 94083
Job Description
Our Research Laboratories in South San Francisco is seeking a highly experienced and innovative cell pharmacologist with extensive drug discovery expertise in cardiovascular and metabolic diseases to join our Quantitative Biosciences (Pharmacology) department. The successful candidate will have direct line management of a research team responsible for the design, execution, and interpretation of complex in vitro/ex vivo assays as well as mechanistic experimentation to advance drug discovery from target concept through lead optimization. The candidate will also work closely with therapeutic area stakeholders, chemists, protein scientists, and multidisciplinary quantitative scientists to define strategies for target validation, screening, assays/models, and critical studies to advance a diverse portfolio of small molecule and biologic preclinical candidates targeting metabolic dysfunction and complications, obesity, heart failure, and other related disorders. In addition, this role will participate in business development due diligence and establish strategic internal and external partnerships to drive portfolio development and progression. If you are a highly motivated leader and team player with a proven track record of success in driving cardiometabolic drug discovery, we invite you to consider joining our team.
Key responsibilities:
Develop and support comprehensive pharmacology strategies targeting obesity, immuno-metabolic, and cardiovascular diseases to enable a robust drug discovery pipeline
Drive hit/lead finding and lead optimization plans in collaboration with therapeutic area stakeholders, Chemistry, Biologics, and multidisciplinary teams
Lead the development and implementation of potency, selectivity, and mechanistic assays to characterize molecules targeting diverse targets and areas of biology
Lead the design and execution of complex models utilizing physiologically relevant cellular systems and advanced technologies
Serve as a core member in matrixed project teams and governance committees to guide pharmacology strategy and provide scientific and technical leadership
Ensure high-quality data generation, analysis, and reporting to project teams, governance bodies, and regulatory agencies, and manage key timelines and milestones
Lead and develop a group of PhD and non-PhD researchers, drive scientific innovation, and champion new enabling technologies to enhance functional capability and productivity
Monitor emerging biology, biomarker, as well as basic & clinical research in cardiometabolic disorders to influence portfolio development strategy
Collaborate extensively across our network and with external partners to drive pipeline progression toward key milestones
Qualifications:
Education:
Ph.D. in Pharmacology, Cell Biology, Immunology or related discipline and relevant industry experience listed below
Required Experience and Skills:
A minimum of 15 years of drug discovery experience at a biotech or pharmaceutical setting in obesity, dysmetabolism, diabetes and cardiovascular complications, with demonstrated quantitative pharmacology expertise
Proficiency in drug discovery strategies and processes throughout target identification and validation, lead optimization, preclinical candidate selection, and early development
Highly skilled in complex cell-based assays/models for biomarker discovery and translation, utilization of lab automation, and deep expertise in mechanistic pharmacology
Experience leading discovery teams, setting strategy & priorities, and managing resources
An excellent track record of providing mentorship to direct reports and influencing peers
Ability to work collaboratively in a cross-functional team environment to shape strategy and tactics and drive rapid pipeline progression toward key milestones
Solid data science and analytical skills, as well as excellent written and oral communication
A strong record of publication in peer-reviewed journals and/or patent literatures
Preferred Experience and Skills:
Expertise in physiologically relevant cell models (primary cells, complex co-culture, 3D, microfluidics, etc.) and translational assays
Prior experience working with multiple therapeutic modalities (small molecule, peptide, biologic, etc.)
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Our Research Laboratories in South San Francisco is seeking a highly experienced and innovative cell pharmacologist with extensive drug discovery expertise in cardiovascular and metabolic diseases to join our Quantitative Biosciences (Pharmacology) department. The successful candidate will have direct line management of a research team responsible for the design, execution, and interpretation of complex in vitro/ex vivo assays as well as mechanistic experimentation to advance drug discovery from target concept through lead optimization. The candidate will also work closely with therapeutic area stakeholders, chemists, protein scientists, and multidisciplinary quantitative scientists to define strategies for target validation, screening, assays/models, and critical studies to advance a diverse portfolio of small molecule and biologic preclinical candidates targeting metabolic dysfunction and complications, obesity, heart failure, and other related disorders. In addition, this role will participate in business development due diligence and establish strategic internal and external partnerships to drive portfolio development and progression. If you are a highly motivated leader and team player with a proven track record of success in driving cardiometabolic drug discovery, we invite you to consider joining our team.
Key responsibilities:
Develop and support comprehensive pharmacology strategies targeting obesity, immuno-metabolic, and cardiovascular diseases to enable a robust drug discovery pipeline
Drive hit/lead finding and lead optimization plans in collaboration with therapeutic area stakeholders, Chemistry, Biologics, and multidisciplinary teams
Lead the development and implementation of potency, selectivity, and mechanistic assays to characterize molecules targeting diverse targets and areas of biology
Lead the design and execution of complex models utilizing physiologically relevant cellular systems and advanced technologies
Serve as a core member in matrixed project teams and governance committees to guide pharmacology strategy and provide scientific and technical leadership
Ensure high-quality data generation, analysis, and reporting to project teams, governance bodies, and regulatory agencies, and manage key timelines and milestones
Lead and develop a group of PhD and non-PhD researchers, drive scientific innovation, and champion new enabling technologies to enhance functional capability and productivity
Monitor emerging biology, biomarker, as well as basic & clinical research in cardiometabolic disorders to influence portfolio development strategy
Collaborate extensively across our network and with external partners to drive pipeline progression toward key milestones
Qualifications:
Education:
Ph.D. in Pharmacology, Cell Biology, Immunology or related discipline and relevant industry experience listed below
Required Experience and Skills:
A minimum of 15 years of drug discovery experience at a biotech or pharmaceutical setting in obesity, dysmetabolism, diabetes and cardiovascular complications, with demonstrated quantitative pharmacology expertise
Proficiency in drug discovery strategies and processes throughout target identification and validation, lead optimization, preclinical candidate selection, and early development
Highly skilled in complex cell-based assays/models for biomarker discovery and translation, utilization of lab automation, and deep expertise in mechanistic pharmacology
Experience leading discovery teams, setting strategy & priorities, and managing resources
An excellent track record of providing mentorship to direct reports and influencing peers
Ability to work collaboratively in a cross-functional team environment to shape strategy and tactics and drive rapid pipeline progression toward key milestones
Solid data science and analytical skills, as well as excellent written and oral communication
A strong record of publication in peer-reviewed journals and/or patent literatures
Preferred Experience and Skills:
Expertise in physiologically relevant cell models (primary cells, complex co-culture, 3D, microfluidics, etc.) and translational assays
Prior experience working with multiple therapeutic modalities (small molecule, peptide, biologic, etc.)
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