Impress employers and recruiters.
Choose from hundreds of resume examples.

Target Resume Now

About the Role

The Senior Scientist will join the Respiratory Biology Discovery group to contribute to target identification, validation, translational biology, and mechanism-of-action studies for early discovery programs in chronic lung diseases. The role emphasizes leveraging human-relevant experimental systems, particularly primary airway and alveolar epithelial biology, and generating high-quality mechanistic datasets to inform target prioritization and program decisions.

Responsibilities

Design, execute, and interpret in vitro and ex vivo studies for respiratory target discovery, validation, and translational biology programs.
Develop and apply disease-relevant experimental systems, including primary airway epithelial cultures, air-liquid interface (ALI) models, organoid systems, precision-cut lung slices (PCLS), and co-culture platforms.
Generate mechanistic datasets to investigate epithelial dysfunction, tissue remodeling, fibrosis, immune responses, and regenerative biology in chronic lung diseases.
Apply imaging techniques (IHC, IF, high-content imaging) with image-based analysis to interrogate disease-relevant biology.
Perform and interpret flow cytometry/FACS-based immune and cell phenotyping.
Support translational biomarker discovery and validation using patient-derived samples and multiplex biomarker platforms.
Integrate cellular, molecular, imaging, and biomarker datasets to inform project decisions and translational strategies.
Generate reproducible, high-quality data packages and communicate findings through presentations, technical reports, and cross-functional discussions.
Collaborate closely across biology, pharmacology, DMPK, and translational and clinical teams within a matrixed discovery environment.

Requirements

Bachelor's (with 7+ years), Master's (with 4+ years) or Ph.D. in biology, immunology, pharmacology, physiology, pulmonary biology or related discipline and relevant experience.
Demonstrated expertise in respiratory biology and human primary cell culture systems, including airway and/or alveolar epithelial models.
Experience developing and applying disease-relevant in vitro and ex vivo systems such as ALI cultures, organoids, co-culture models, or precision-cut lung slices.
Strong hands-on experience in molecular and cellular biology techniques.
Experience with flow cytometry/FACS, imaging-based approaches (IHC, IF, ICC, confocal microscopy), image analysis, and multiplex biomarker platforms.
Experience supporting translational biology, target validation, and mechanism-of-action studies.
Ability to independently design, execute, troubleshoot, and interpret experimental studies.
Strong scientific communication skills and ability to present findings in cross-functional settings.
Prior experience in respiratory drug discovery, fibrosis, tissue remodeling, regenerative biology, or inflammatory lung disease research.
Experience with macrophage, fibroblast, epithelial, or immune-stromal co-culture systems.
Experience working with patient-derived respiratory tissues and primary human lung cells.
Familiarity with transcriptomic datasets including bulk RNA-seq and single-cell RNA-seq.
Experience with organoid biology, human tissue-based models, or spatial biology approaches.
Knowledge of translational biomarker strategies and human disease-relevant endpoints.

Skills

Cell Biology
Cell Culture Techniques
Image Analysis
Immunocytochemistry (ICC)
Immunohistochemistry (IHC)
Luminex Assays
Meso Scale Discovery
Molecular Techniques
Pulmonary Disease Research
Target Validation
Respiratory Biology
Human Primary Cell Culture
Airway Epithelial Models
Alveolar Epithelial Models
ALI Cultures
Organoids
Co-culture Models
Precision-Cut Lung Slices
Molecular Biology
Cellular Biology
Flow Cytometry
FACS
Imaging-Based Approaches
Confocal Microscopy
Multiplex Biomarker Platforms
Translational Biology
Mechanism-of-Action Studies
Scientific Communication
Fibrosis
Tissue Remodeling
Regenerative Biology
Inflammatory Lung Disease Research
Macrophage Co-culture
Fibroblast Co-culture
Epithelial Co-culture
Immune-Stromal Co-culture
Patient-Derived Respiratory Tissues
Primary Human Lung Cells
Transcriptomic Datasets
Bulk RNA-seq
Single-cell RNA-seq
Organoid Biology
Human Tissue-Based Models
Spatial Biology Approaches
Translational Biomarker Strategies
Human Disease-Relevant Endpoints

Location

US and Puerto Rico Residents Only

Work Type

Regular
Domestic/International Relocation
10% Travel

Experience Level

Senior Scientist
7+ years (Bachelor's)
4+ years (Master's)
Ph.D.

Education Level

Bachelor's Degree
Master's Degree
Ph.D.

Salary/Compensations

$131,400.00 - $206,800.00

Benefits

Annual bonus
Long-term incentive
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

About the Company

Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, Rahway, NJ, USA.
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.

Equal Opportunity

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