Job Description

Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Quantitative Biosciences Early Discovery

Join the Legacy: Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Program

The company's Research Laboratories Postdoctoral Research Fellow Program is a premier industrial postdoctoral initiative that bridges cutting-edge academic rigor with the world-class resources, technologies, and scientific expertise of a global biopharmaceutical leader. Designed to cultivate the next generation of scientific pioneers, the program empowers postdoctoral investigators to pursue fundamental, high-impact research within an open, collaborative, and innovation-driven environment.

Position Overview:

We are seeking an exceptionally motivated and innovative research scientist for a Postdoctoral Fellowship in the Department of Quantitative Biosciences (QB) Early Discovery at our company's Research Laboratories in Rahway, New Jersey.

In this role, the fellow will pioneer novel drug discovery methodologies in the rapidly expanding field of chemically induced proximity (e.g., molecular glues, heterobifunctional degraders/PROTACs, and proximity-inducing modalities). Leveraging state-of-the-art biophysical, biochemical, structural, and computational platforms, you will collaborate with cross-functional scientific teams to decode complex ternary systems and translate mechanistic insights into drug discovery paradigms.

Fellows are fully supported to author high-impact scientific publications in top-tier peer-reviewed journals, present at premier international conferences, and develop deep expertise in modern industrial early-stage drug discovery.

Responsibilities:

Lead Research & Innovation: Under the mentorship of senior scientific leaders, conceptualize, design, and execute cutting-edge methodologies to interrogate and exploit chemically induced proximity. Maintain deep familiarity with emerging literature to identify and capture novel therapeutic opportunities.
Multi-Modal Biophysical & Biochemical Characterization: Integrate quantitative biochemical, biophysical, and structural approaches to investigate macromolecular complexes, ternary complex formation, and protein–small molecule interactions.
Independent Project Ownership: Formulate and drive an independent research agenda from hypothesis generation to mechanistic validation, working flexibly within multidisciplinary project teams across discovery chemistry, biology, and pharmacology.
Computational & Experimental Synergy: In close partnership with the Modeling & Informatics team, integrate computational workflows with experimental investigations—curating structural constraints, evaluating predictive protein–ligand and protein-complex models, and prioritizing testable hypotheses.

Scientific Dissemination: Actively communicate findings through presentations at internal scientific symposia, international conferences, and lead-author publications in peer-reviewed scientific journals.

Education Minimum Requirement:

Must currently hold a Ph.D. OR
Receive a Ph.D. no later than spring 2027
Ph.D. in Biochemistry, Biophysics, Pharmacology, Structural Biology, or related disciplines.

Required Experience and Skills:

Biophysical & Biochemical Expertise: Demonstrated hands-on expertise in characterizing protein–ligand and protein–protein interactions using quantitative biophysical methods (e.g., SPR, ITC, MST, BLI, or fluorescence-based assays such as TR-FRET/FP).
Protein Biochemistry: Proven track record in recombinant protein construct design, expression systems, and chromatographic purification (experience with isotopic labeling for NMR or structural applications is highly desirable).
Biomolecular NMR or Structural Analysis: Working knowledge and practical experience in biological NMR spectroscopy (resonance assignment, chemical shift perturbation, or ligand-observed experiments) and/or structural biology techniques.
Structural Interpretation: Demonstrated capability to analyze, visualize, and interpret high-resolution protein structures, binding interfaces, and ligand binding modes using molecular modeling software (e.g., PyMOL, MOE, Schrödinger Maestro, or ChimeraX).
Scientific Track Record: Proven record of scientific productivity and independent thinking, evidenced by first-author publications in reputable peer-reviewed journals and presentations at scientific conferences.
Collaboration & Communication: Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, with a demonstrated ability to thrive in a highly collaborative, team-oriented research setting.

Preferred Experience and Skills:

Chemically Induced Proximity & Screening: Prior experience in ternary complex systems, targeted protein degradation (TPD), molecular glues, or early hit-finding platforms (e.g., Fragment-Based Drug Discovery [FBDD], High-Throughput Screening [HTS], or DNA-Encoded Libraries [DEL]).
High-Resolution Structural Biology: Hands-on or collaborative experience in high-resolution structural determination techniques, including X-ray crystallography, cryo-EM, or multi-dimensional BioNMR.
In Silico & Predictive Modeling: Familiarity with modern AI/ML structure prediction tools (e.g., AlphaFold2/3, AlphaFold-Multimer, RoseTTAFold, Boltz, Chai) for modeling multi-protein complexes and protein–ligand interactions.

Computational Biophysics & Scripting: Proficiency in Python or R for data analysis, combined with exposure to physics-based modeling methods such as molecular docking, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, or virtual screening.

The salary range for this role is: $82,000- $92,000

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.

Required Skills:

Biochemistry, Biomolecular Chemistry, Biophysics, Computational Biology, Ligand Binding, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (NMR), Protein Expression, Protein Interactions, Scientific Presentations, Structural Biology

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

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:

10%

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Not Applicable

Shift:

Not Indicated

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

N/A

Job Posting End Date:

10/12/2026

*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.