Associate Principal Scientist (R4), AI/ML for Protein/Small Molecule Design

Job Description

New hires in office-based roles in the US & Puerto Rico will be required, subject to applicable law, to demonstrate that they have been fully vaccinated for COVID-19 or qualify for a medical or religious exemption to this vaccination requirement that can be accommodated without an undue burden to the operation. However, subject to applicable law, employees working in roles that the Company determines require routine collaboration with external stakeholders, such as employees in customer facing commercial or research based roles, will be required to be fully vaccinated as a condition of employment.

Our company's Research Laboratories South San Francisco, is focused on driving discovery research. Our new multi-disciplinary discovery research site offers state-of-the-art resources to explore the most promising science combined with our company's world-class R&D expertise in small molecules and biologics. Located within the heart of the Bay Area’s biomedical community, research conducted in our new laboratories spans exploratory biology through early clinical development and is an integral part of our company's powerful world-class network of drug and vaccine discovery.

At our company, we are inspired by the belief that a research-driven enterprise dedicated to scientific excellence can create medicines and vaccines that save and improve lives. Every employee is building on our proud legacy of scientific breakthrough. Our ability to impact the lives of patients worldwide depends on the integrity, creativity, humility and scientific acumen of our team. We are creating a diverse organization that is inspired by invention and founded on a culture of respect and collaboration. At our company's Research Labs South San Francisco, you’ll have the opportunity to expand your knowledge and skills through collaboration with talented and dedicated colleagues while advancing your career.

Our company is currently seeking a highly motivated and exceptional scientist with a focus on developing and applying AI/ML approaches in protein and small molecule modeling in the Computational and Structural Chemistry department at our South San Francisco site. The successful candidate will join multidisciplinary, highly collaborative discovery teams both locally and across the global company network to contribute to the invention of novel biologics and small molecule medicines. This role involves both development of innovative computational methods as well as direct application of the methods to the invention of novel medicines.

Key Responsibilities:

• Developing new workflows, including deep learning workflows, that enable the discovery of new medicines

• Collaborating with interdisciplinary discovery teams to apply a variety of informatics and modeling techniques to accelerate the evolution of drug discovery leads to drug candidates

• Continuing research in areas of machine learning and molecular modeling relevant to drug discovery, and maintaining an external scientific presence through high-impact publications and presentations

• Education, mentoring, and sharing of AI/ML knowledge across the Computational & Structural Chemistry department as well as adjacent groups

• Possible mentoring and development responsibilities for direct report(s)

Position Qualifications:

Required Education:

• Ph.D. in biophysics, biochemistry, chemistry, computer science, applied math, engineering, or equivalent

Required Experience:

• Two (2) or more years of industry experience

• At least one & a half (1.5) years of industry experience adapting or applying deep learning methods to problems relevant to the life sciences and/or drug discovery

• Proficiency in Python for scientific computing, including NumPy/SciPy

• Experience with at least one major deep learning framework (PyTorch, TensorFlow, JAX, or similar)

• Knowledgeable in statistics and machine learning best practices

• Experience with Linux and high-performance compute (HPC) environments

• Multiple publications and/or external presentations

• Strong written and oral communication skills

• Experience working in multidisciplinary teams that include experimental scientists

Preferred Experience:

• Five (5) or more years of industry experience

• Experience with protein design software packages such as Rosetta, MOE, or Schrodinger

• Experience with peptides, proteins, and antibodies

• Experience with interpreting protein structure/sequence/function relationships

• Experience with 3D approaches to deep learning for proteins and/or small molecules

The quality of our team is essential to our success. We are creating a new and innovative approach to rewarding our employees and establishing a comprehensive value proposition. Our competitive compensation program and benefits are designed to support the wide range of goals, needs and lifestyles of our employees, and the people that matter the most in their lives.

Who we are …

We are known as Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, New Jersey, USA in the United States and Canada and MSD everywhere else. For more than a century, we have been inventing for life, bringing forward medicines and vaccines for many of the world's most challenging diseases. Today, our company continues to be at the forefront of research to deliver innovative health solutions and advance the prevention and treatment of diseases that threaten people and animals around the world.

What we look for …

Imagine getting up in the morning for a job as important as helping to save and improve lives around the world. Here, you have that opportunity. You can put your empathy, creativity, digital mastery, or scientific genius to work in collaboration with a diverse group of colleagues who pursue and bring hope to countless people who are battling some of the most challenging diseases of our time. Our team is constantly evolving, so if you are among the intellectually curious, join us—and start making your impact today.

NOTICE FOR INTERNAL APPLICANTS

In accordance with Managers' Policy - Job Posting and Employee Placement, all employees subject to this policy are required to have a minimum of twelve (12) months of service in current position prior to applying for open positions.

If you have been offered a separation benefits package, but have not yet reached your separation date and are offered a position within the salary and geographical parameters as set forth in the Summary Plan Description (SPD) of your separation package, then you are no longer eligible for your separation benefits package. To discuss in more detail, please contact your HRBP or Talent Acquisition Advisor.

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.

Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination

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

Search Firm Representatives Please Read Carefully
Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ, USA, also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., Kenilworth, 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:

Relocation:

VISA Sponsorship:

Travel Requirements:

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Shift:

Valid Driving License:

Hazardous Material(s):

Number of Openings:

Requisition ID:R167023