Scientist, Discovery Oncology

Job Description

We are seeking a self-motivated, inquisitive, and collaborative entry level scientist to join our Discovery Oncology group in South San Francisco. The successful candidate is enthusiastic about learning and building hands-on laboratory skills and will support both experimental work and day-to-day lab operations. The individual will work closely with senior scientists to perform in vitro assays, handle biological samples and reagents, and help maintain an organized, safe, and efficient laboratory environment.

Key responsibilities:

• Perform and support laboratory experiments under the guidance of senior scientists, including essential cell-based assays to evaluate potential therapeutics and target biology.
• Develop and apply core lab techniques such as cell culture, flow cytometry, and plate-based immunoassays (e.g., ELISA), including working safely with potent compounds and biohazardous materials.
• Handle and process fresh human tissue samples in a BSL-appropriate environment, including tissue receipt, mechanical and/or enzymatic dissociation into single-cell suspensions, cell counting and viability assessment, and downstream analysis using techniques such as flow cytometry and plate-based assays.
• Maintain clear, accurate, and well-organized experimental records in electronic lab notebooks and/or designated data systems.
• Assist with sourcing, receiving and tracking biological samples and reagents using company-approved channels, from initial request through order completion.
• Support efficient lab operations by coordinating equipment service requests, assisting with equipment disposal, and contributing to special projects that enhance the lab environment.
• Promote a strong lab safety culture by serving as a role model, participating in safety trainings and committee meetings, supporting audit activities, and helping to document and communicate safety observations to the team.

Position Qualifications:

Education:

• Bachelor’s (with 3+ years) or Master's in biology, biochemistry, pharmacology or related life science and relevant experience

Required Experience and Skills:

• Strong commitment to accurate, detailed, and well-organized record keeping, with a meticulous and orderly work style
• Demonstrated proficiency in mammalian cell culture, including maintenance of multiple cell lines using excellent aseptic technique
• Hands-on experience with internalization assays using Incucyte, copy number assessment by flow cytometry, cell proliferation studies, and a variety of 96-well plate-based assays
• Experience working with overexpressed cell lines and performing single-cell sorting for downstream applications
• Experience handling fresh human tumor tissue, including mechanical and/or enzymatic digestion to single-cell suspensions and subsequent cellular analysis
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to actively listen, ask clarifying questions, and communicate respectfully

#EligibleforERP

Required Skills:

Cancer Research, Cell Lines, Cell Proliferation Assay, Flow Cytometry, Mammalian Cell Culture, Oncology, Single Cell Sorting

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

$108,000.00 - $170,100.00

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:

Domestic

VISA Sponsorship:

No

Travel Requirements:

No Travel Required

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Not Applicable

Shift:

1st - Day

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

N/A

Job Posting End Date:

03/13/2026

*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.