Job Description

Our company's Discovery Biologics Disruptive Technologies is seeking an exceptional generative AI protein engineer to drive the advancement and application of de novo design and therapeutic optimization technologies in support of our biotherapeutic portfolio. In addition to leading projects to improve technical capabilities, the individual is expected to partner closely with cross-functional discovery programs to turn great ideas into valuable medicines that help patients. The role is based out of our Cambridge, MA facility.

We are on a quest for cures and are committed to be the world’s premier, most research-intensive biopharmaceutical company. Our teams combine leading drug discovery capabilities and world-class R&D with the purpose of turning breakthrough science into life-changing medicines.

We recognize that the diversity in our team is our strength and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Successful candidates must demonstrate inclusive behaviors in working with a diverse group of scientists to drive our core mission.

In this role, a successful candidate will partner with computational and wet lab researchers to design experiments, identify and develop technologies, and create impactful medicines.

Key Responsibilities

Lead the advancement and application of generative AI and machine learning-based protein design and engineering technologies to invent valuable therapeutics; including de novo, structure-based, and data-supported protein design methods.
Develop computational methods for therapeutic discovery efforts.
Foster a high-performance culture of collaboration, engagement, self-accountability and inclusion.
Effectively partner across multidisciplinary interfaces to achieve organizational objectives.
Actively develop talent, strategically maximizing diversity to strengthen the team.
Support external partnerships and collaboration opportunities.
Stay abreast of external advancements in the relevant scientific fields.
Promote the external reputation of our company's Discovery Biologics.
Qualifications & Experience
PhD in Biochemistry, Computational Biology, Protein Engineering, Physics, or related field and minimum of 4 years of industry experience, or an MS and a minimum of 8 years industry experience, or B.S. and a minimum of 12 years industry experience.
Extensive expertise applying and developing GenAI/ML-based protein design methods.
Experience in data-driven, ML-based protein engineering approaches.
Proven industry track record of success working with cross-functional teams.
Commitment to scientific excellence and rigor.
Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
Champion for diverse and inclusive culture.
Strong external reputation with high-impact publications, presentations, and scientific community engagement.
Passion for sharing knowledge and helping colleagues develop.

Required skills:

Expert-level knowledge in applying generative AI methods for protein design and engineering, including de novo design and lead optimization.
Experience evaluating and combining generative AI models and applying machine-learning-based methods to solve complex problems in biologics discovery and development.
Mastery of protein structural modeling and design tools (e.g. AlphaFold, Rosetta, RFDiffusion, protein MPNN, or similar)
Planning and leadership of projects in discovery of protein therapeutics and/or technology development.
Strong skills in data analysis and visualization and making data-driven decisions.
Comprehensive scientific knowledge across workflows and domains integral to the discovery of protein therapeutics

Preferred skills

Deep understanding of protein structure and sequence representations, featurization and embeddings.
Project leadership experience in discovery of protein therapeutics or technology development.
Experience in managing external collaborations.
Hands-on experience with NGS data.
Experience deploying scalable computational workflows.

#EligibleforERP

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.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability status, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. 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 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.

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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”.

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:

Yes

Travel Requirements:

No Travel Required

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Not Applicable

Shift:

Not Indicated

Valid Driving License:

Hazardous Material(s):

n/a

Required Skills:

Data Engineering, Design Applications, Information Security, Machine Learning, Software Development, Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC), System Designs, Systems Integration, Testing

Preferred Skills:

Job Posting End Date:

04/10/2025

*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.

Associate Principal Scientist, genAI/ML Protein Engineer