Prin. Scientist, Molecular Biomarkers-BIO003775
Description
Merck is a global health care leader with a diversified portfolio of prescription medicines, vaccines and consumer health products, as well as animal health products. Today, we are building a new kind of healthcare company – one that is ready to help create a healthier future for all of us.
Our ability to excel depends on the integrity, knowledge, imagination, skill, diversity and teamwork of people like you. To this end, we strive to create an environment of mutual respect, encouragement and teamwork. As part of our global team, you’ll have the opportunity to collaborate with talented and dedicated colleagues while developing and expanding your career.
This position in the Department of Molecular Biomarkers (Merck Research Laboratories, Boston) will direct the activities and develop the informatics capabilities of a large cell cytometry facility that includes both high-throughput fluorescent- and mass-based cytometry capabilities. The Molecular Biomarkers department is a core functional group supporting the development of pharmacodynamic, target engagement, and patient segregation biomarkers for immunology, inflammation, and oncology disease areas. To meet a growing demand for high-throughput analysis of increasingly complex cytometric data, we are seeking an individual with flow cytometry expertise and experience in the application of statistical methodology for objective cytometry data analysis. This position requires extensive experience in the design and analysis of cytometry experiments from a diverse array of biological species, tissues and fluids. The individual in this role will also be responsible for strategic planning, ensuring access to the latest technologies, and coordination of cross-departmental strategic initiatives. Experience with the rigorous validation of assays necessary for commercial and/or clinical use is desired, along with the ability to communicate scientifically with succinct clarity to both internal and external collaborators.
Responsibilities
· Lead efforts to identify, evaluate, and implement innovative fluorescent & mass cytometry technologies supporting use as pre-clinical and clinical decision-making tools.
· Supervise research scientists in design, development, and validation of assays for internal use and transfer to external research vendors
· Maintain dashboards on project schedules and status of deliverables.
· May represent functional area on one or more drug discovery projects
· Work with biostatisticians to develop and implement robust statistical methodology for the automated analysis of cell cytometry data.
· Participate actively in as part of the Molecular Biomarkers dept. in activities that contribute to shaping processes and strategies for support of Merck drug development programs.
· Maintain current knowledge of commercially established and nascent cell cytometry technologies by actively participating in internal technology evaluation committees and biotechnology industry contacts.
· Actively participate in professional societies, regulatory groups, and industry organizations to ensure leading-edge knowledge of accepted cell cytometry practices and technologies with respect to application to clinical development programs and clinical use.
· Timely publication of technology reviews, regulatory status, and technology evaluations through internal and peer-reviewed publications.
Qualifications
Education Requirements:
· Ph.D. in a relevant scientific discipline
Required:
· 8+ years of experience in the use and analysis of flow cytometry data
· Advanced knowledge of immunology and immune cell signaling networks
· Advanced scientific knowledge with flow cytometry assay design and development
· Experience with the challenges associated with the management of high-volume and high-complexity flow cytometry data
· Experience and high-level understanding of the drug development process
· Ability to analyze and communicate data in a concise, easy to understand manner, using appropriate statistical methodology
· Experience in a role requiring collaboration within an organization, as well as a demonstrated ability to work with efficiency and diplomacy as part of a team effort
· Excellent communication skills (written and oral) and outstanding teamwork capabilities; must be able to interact constructively with across resource groups throughout Merck and with outside vendors
· Demonstrated capacity and initiative to solve problems with energy and positive attitude
· Preferred:
· Experience in the application of statistical methods for automatic analysis of high-throughput flow cytometry data
· Experience in the design and analysis of mass cytometry data (CyTOF)
· Demonstrated experience in the evaluation and application of novel flow cytometry-based technologies to characterize immunological targets
· Experience in handling large data sets using statistical packages (R/Bioconductor) including experience with the development and use of relational database-backed software
· Experience in modeling dose-response relationships of small molecule therapeutics
