Associate Scientist, Postdoctoral Fellow, Discovery Oncology

Job Description

Be a part of the legacy: Postdoctoral Research Fellow Program

Our Research Laboratories' Postdoctoral Research Fellow Program aims to be a best-in-industry program for industrial postdoctoral researchers, designed to provide you with an academic focus in a commercial environment. With the resources, reach, and expertise of a large pharmaceutical company, postdoctoral researchers will be positioned to excel in an institution committed to breakthrough innovation in research and discovery.
 

We are seeking a well-rounded, independent postdoctoral researcher to join the Discovery Oncology group in South San Francisco, CA. The successful candidate will contribute to defining fundamental mechanisms in tumor immunosuppressive networks using state-of-the-art in vitro and in vivo models and translate those insights toward therapeutic intervention. The role requires technical proficiency with rodent tumor models and immune assays, scientific rigor, independent thought, and an ability to operate effectively within a collaborative, multidisciplinary team.

Education:

Ph.D. completed within 6 months of hire in Oncology, Immunology, Cell Biology, or a related discipline.

Key responsibilities:

• Design, execute, and troubleshoot in vitro and in vivo experiments to interrogate tumor–immune interactions and test therapeutic hypotheses.

• Establish and run orthotopic and metastatic murine tumor models, perform animal dosing, monitor tumor growth.

• Perform small animal surgeries and imaging procedures as needed.

• Collect, process, and analyze blood and tissue samples using flow cytometry, ELISA, gene expression assays, and other molecular and cell biology techniques.

• Apply high-throughput flow cytometry and gene expression analysis to characterize immune cell populations and tumor microenvironment changes.

• Build project strategy, analyze and interpret complex data, and iterate experimental plans to advance program goals.

• Prepare clear, data-driven written reports, manuscripts, and presentations for internal teams and external scientific audiences.

• Collaborate across discovery biology, translational science, and therapeutic modality teams to integrate findings into drug discovery pipelines.

• Maintain accurate laboratory records and adhere to safety and regulatory standards.

Required qualifications:

• Fundamental knowledge of immunology.

• Hands-on experience with basic cell culture, molecular biology, and cell-based assays.

• Proficiency with mouse tumor models, including routine animal dosing and collection, processing, and analysis of tissue and blood samples

• Experience with high-throughput flow cytometry, ELISA, and gene expression analysis (qPCR, RNA-seq workflows).

• Strong analytical skills: experimental design, data analysis, interpretation, and troubleshooting.

• Demonstrated scientific rigor and independence, evidenced by publications in peer-reviewed journals.

• Excellent written and oral communication skills and ability to present complex data to diverse audiences.

• Team-oriented mindset and ability to collaborate across multidisciplinary groups.

Preferred qualifications:

• Background in T cell and/or macrophage biology and functional immunoassays.

• Prior experience working with orthotopic/metastatic murine tumor models.

• Experience with small animal surgeries and small-animal imaging modalities (bioluminescence, fluorescence, ultrasound, or MRI).

• Familiarity with CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing techniques.

postdoctoralopportunities

Under New York City, Colorado State, Washington State, and California State law, the Company is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the salary range for this job. Final determinations with respect to salary will take into account a number of factors, which may include, but not be limited to the primary work location and the chosen candidate's relevant skills, experience, and education.

Expected salary range:

$75,000.00-$86,000.00

Available benefits include bonus eligibility, health care and other insurance benefits (for employee and family), retirement benefits, paid holidays, vacation, and sick days. For Washington State Jobs, a summary of benefits is listed here. 

Required Skills:

Cell-Based Assays, Cell Cultures, Cell Culture Techniques, CRISPR-Cas System, ELISA Techniques, Flow Cytometry, High-Throughput Experimentation (HTE), Immunoassays, Immunobiology, Immunochemistry, Immunology, Oncology, Primary Cell Culture, RNA Sequencing, Scientific Research

Preferred Skills:

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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".

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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:

Temporary (Fixed Term)

Relocation:

Domestic

VISA Sponsorship:

Yes

Travel Requirements:

10%

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Not Applicable

Shift:

Not Indicated

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

N/A

Job Posting End Date:

11/16/2025

*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.

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