Director, Biology-Discovery

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced drug discovery scientist and people leader to serve as Director of a Screening and High Throughput Biology group within Quantitative Biosciences Early Discovery. The successful candidate combines deep expertise in high throughput biology platforms with broad experience spanning target identification and validation, lead discovery and optimization.

This individual will set scientific direction for the group, lead a team of approximately 8 scientists and associates, and deploy screening and HTB capabilities in direct support of drug discovery programs spanning multiple therapeutic areas including oncology, immunology, neuroscience, metabolic disease, ophthalmology, and infectious disease.

The Director will operate within a highly matrixed environment, partnering closely with Discovery Chemistry, Discovery Biology, DMPK, and in vivo pharmacology to deliver high-quality, decision-enabling data that advances the portfolio. This role emphasizes leadership of lab-facing personnel and requires regular onsite presence (4+ days per week) in Rahway, NJ.

Key Responsibilities

• Works closely with Department Leadership to set the scientific vision and strategy for the group, defining priorities, success metrics, and standards for data quality and delivery in support of discovery programs
• Lead, develop, and retain a high-performing team through clear accountability, coaching, mentorship, and career development of PhD scientists, MS/BS associates, and contractors
• Apply high throughput biology platforms including CRISPR-based approaches, DRUG-seq, high content imaging, cell painting, and complex biological models to enable target identification, hit finding, compound profiling, and lead optimization
• Design and execute research operating plans that translate program strategy into actionable experimental work streams
• Provide quantitative, mechanistic, and pharmacologically grounded interpretation of screening and profiling data to inform compound progression decisions
• Partner cross-functionally to ensure HTB deliverables are integrated into program-level decision-making
• Foster a culture of scientific rigor, curiosity, and data-driven decision-making within the group
• Build and maintain internal and external networks that enhance the group's capabilities, including management of CRO relationships and academic collaborations
• Evolve the group's technology portfolio and capabilities in response to changing portfolio needs

Education

• Ph.D. with 10+ years in Cell Biology, Biochemistry, Pharmacology, Molecular Biology, Chemical Biology, Biophysics, or a related discipline
• BS/MS with 15+ years of directly applicable industry experience and a demonstrated track record of scientific leadership may also be considered

Required Experience and Skills

• 10+ years of relevant experience in pharmaceutical or biotechnology drug discovery
• Demonstrated expertise in high throughput biology platforms, with hands-on experience in one or more of: CRISPR screening, transcriptional profiling at scale (e.g., DRUG-seq), high content imaging, cell painting, or development of complex cellular models
• Track record of contributing to early drug discovery programs
• Experience designing and executing research operating plans in support of lead discovery
• Direct people management experience: building, leading, and developing teams of scientists in a lab-facing environment
• Strong cross-functional collaboration skills
• Quantitative rigor in experimental design, data analysis, and interpretation of cell-based assay pharmacology
• Excellent communication skills with ability to distill complex datasets into clear recommendations for stakeholders

Preferred Experience and Skills

• Background in quantitative sciences — quantitative pharmacology, biochemistry, or systems-level/mechanistic approaches to compound characterization
• Experience managing external collaborations including CROs and academic partnerships
• Familiarity with AI/ML tools, data science approaches, and laboratory automation as applied to cell-based drug discovery
• Program or project team leadership experience beyond people management
• Record of scientific contribution demonstrated through publications, patents, or recognized internal impact

Required Skills

Assay Development, Cell Biology, Drug Development, Drug Screening, Functional Genomics, High-Throughput Screening, Laboratory Automation, People Management

Preferred Skills

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US and Puerto Rico Residents Only

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• The primary location for this posting is: USA - New Jersey - Rahway

Pay and benefits

Where required by law, the compensation range for this role is provided below.

The salary range for the primary location of this role is

$190,800.00 - $300,300.00

This range reflects the Company's reasonable expectation of the base salary applicable to this role at the time of 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.

Additional location(s): Please note the salary range above applies to the Primary Location of the position. Where a role has other listed locations, different compensation guidelines may apply. You may find the salary ranges for additional locations below. If the salary range is not listed for the location you are applying to, our Talent Acquisition team will provide further information to you relevant to your location.

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/International
• 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: 11/20/2026

Additional information

*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.