Job Description
Modeling and Informatics: Associate Principal Scientist, Computational Chemistry - Peptide Expert
Position Description
Our company is seeking a creative, self-motivated computational chemist with exceptional interpersonal and problem-solving skills to join the Modeling and Informatics group at our company headquarters in Rahway, NJ.
We are expanding our capability in peptide computational chemistry to support our future organizational strategy for therapeutic discovery.
Modeling and Informatics is a sub-team of Discovery Chemistry, who employ state of the art capabilities in predictive sciences, AI/ML and structure-based drug design (SBDD) to accelerate our invention of therapeutics for patients.
We are an integral arm Discovery Chemistry, and we collaborate seamlessly with teams across the globe to invent better molecules faster. With an unbiased approach to drug modalities, in-house access to the newest screening techniques, and world-class medicinal chemistry, we have a wealth of opportunities to impact our pipeline and ultimately save and improve patient lives.
The successful candidate will join multidisciplinary, highly collaborative discovery teams to invent novel medicines. They will apply computational techniques and develop computational methods as necessary to solve problems in drug design.
Key responsibilities will include (but are not limited to):
1) Design and optimization of drug candidates using advanced computational techniques as a member of discovery teams through :

• design of peptides utilizing both existing and novel tools and techniques
• informative data analysis and visualization
• development of innovative computational methods for peptide modeling
• protein construct design
• ligand library design
• application of machine learning and AI techniques ( such as deep learning, multitask-learning, generative molecular design, etc.)

2) Influencing teams in chemistry, and adjacent functionalities by effectively communicating non-obvious insights from computational approaches to drive project decisions and inflections
3) Contributing to the overall wellbeing of our department by sharing knowledge, workflows, and being invested in the success of your peers.
Our organization is inspired by invention and founded on a culture of respect and collaboration. We recognize that the diversity in our team is our strength and are committed to creating an inclusive environment so that our employees can bring their whole selves to work.
By joining us, you'll have the opportunity to expand your knowledge and skills through collaboration with talented and dedicated colleagues while developing medicines for human health.
Position Qualifications :
Education Minimum Requirement:

• PhD, Master's or Bachelor's degree in biophysics, biochemistry, chemistry, physics, or equivalent, with a computational emphasis.

Required Experience and Skills:

• Minimum of 3 years of peptide-relevant experience in drug discovery industry (pharma or biotech), or a minimum of 7 years with a Master's degree, or a minimum of 10 years with a Bachelor's degree.
• Demonstrated impact on peptide design in an industry environment.
• A strong desire to continually learn and innovate.
• Specific experience with peptide design using conformational analysis, amino acid monomers , in silico mutation , property prediction or similar.
• Evidence of creative application of computational approaches to problems of pharmaceutical interest
• Ability to communicate, collaborate and deliver results as a member of multi-disciplinary teams.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Track record of recent publications and/or presentations and external presence
• Experience with Linux
• Proficiency with modeling software packages (e.g. Schrodinger, MOE, Rosetta)
• Proficiency in general molecular modeling techniques (docking, molecular simulation, homology modeling, quantum mechanics, ligand- and structure-based design)

Highly Preferred Experience and Skills:

• Skilled in scientific programming (e.g. Python, Pipeline Pilot) and data analytics (e.g. Spotfire, Pandas, Jupyter)
• Experience with QSAR, machine learning, deep learning.

NB: Because we believe our best work involves in-person collaborations, this is an on-site position.
#computationalchemistry
#M&I
#peptide
NOTICE FOR INTERNAL APPLICANTS
In accordance with Managers' Policy - Job Posting and Employee Placement, all employees subject to this policy are required to have a minimum of twelve (12) months of service in current position prior to applying for open positions.
If you have been offered a separation benefits package, but have not yet reached your separation date and are offered a position within the salary and geographical parameters as set forth in the Summary Plan Description (SPD) of your separation package, then you are no longer eligible for your separation benefits package. To discuss in more detail, please contact your HRBP or Talent Acquisition Advisor.
Employees working in roles that the Company determines require routine collaboration with external stakeholders, such as customer-facing commercial, or research-based roles, will be expected to comply not only with Company policy but also with policies established by such external stakeholders (for example, a requirement to be vaccinated against COVID-19 in order to access a facility or meet with stakeholders). Please understand that, as permitted by applicable law, if you have not been vaccinated against COVID-19 and an essential function of your job is to call on external stakeholders who require vaccination to enter their premises or engage in face-to-face meetings, then your employment may pose an undue burden to business operations, in which case you may not be offered employment, or your employment could be terminated. Please also note that, where permitted by applicable law, the Company reserves the right to require COVID-19 vaccinations for positions, such as in Global Employee Health, where the Company determines in its discretion that the nature of the role presents an increased risk of disease transmission.
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.
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability status, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. For more information about personal rights under the U.S. Equal Opportunity Employment laws, visit:
EEOC Know Your Rights
EEOC GINA Supplement
Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination
We are proud to be a company that embraces the value of bringing diverse, talented, and committed people together. The fastest way to breakthrough innovation is when diverse ideas 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, generally Tuesday, Wednesday and either Monday or 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".
Under New York State, 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:
$135,500.00 - $213,400.00
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 .
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:
10%
Flexible Work Arrangements:
Not Applicable
Shift:
1st - Day
Valid Driving License:
No
Hazardous Material(s):
N/A
Required Skills:
Data Science, High Performance Computing (HPC), Machine Learning, Researching, Scientific Modeling
Preferred Skills:
Applied Machine Learning, Cheminformatics, Data Science, Machine Learning, Medicinal Chemistry, Molecular Dynamics (MD), Molecular Simulations, Protein Structure Modeling, Python (Programming Language), Quantitative Structure Activity Relationship (QSAR)
Job Posting End Date:05/21/2024
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.
Requisition ID:R291622