MSD·Upper Gwynedd Township, Pennsylvania
Lead discovery and translational research targeting hepatitis B virus and related DNA viruses through hands-on laboratory research. Design and validate viral replication assays and develop innovative technological platforms to evaluate therapeutic candidates.
We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced Senior Scientist to join our Infectious Diseases and Vaccines discovery team.
This laboratory-facing role focuses on advancing our therapeutic pipeline for chronic viral diseases.
The successful candidate will leverage deep technical expertise in virology to lead assay development and platform innovation.
The primary focus of this role is discovery and translational research targeting hepatitis B virus (HBV) and related DNA viruses.
We value creative thinking, goal-oriented teamwork and the application of generative AI models to define and enable problem-solving.
Assay Development, Biochemical Assays, Cell Culture Techniques, Detail-Oriented, Drug Target Identification, Hepatitis B, Immunology, Molecular Biology, Molecular Microbiology, Personal Initiative, Project Leadership, Viral Culture, Viral Replication, Virology
Current Employees apply HERE [https://wd5.myworkday.com/msd/d/task/1422$6687.htmld]
Current Contingent Workers apply HERE [https://wd5.myworkday.com/msd/d/task/1422$4020.htmld]
Our company is committed to inclusion, ensuring that candidates can engage in a hiring process that exhibits their true capabilities. Please click here [https://survey.sogosurvey.com/r/aCdfqL] 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 GINA Supplement [https://www.eeoc.gov/gina-genetic-information-nondiscrimination]
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 [https://www.msdprivacy.com/us/en/CCPA-notice/]
The salary range for this role is
$117,000.00 - $184,200.00
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. More information about benefits is available at https://jobs.merck.com/us/en/compensation-and-benefits [https://jobs.merck.com/us/en/compensation-and-benefits].
You can apply for this role through https://jobs.merck.com/us/en [https://jobs.merck.com/us/en] (or via the Workday Jobs Hub if you are a current employee). The application deadline for this position is stated on this posting.
We will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records for employment in compliance with the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance
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.
Travel Requirements: 10%
1st - Day
Job Posting End Date: 08/7/2026
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.
Market context
In Pennsylvania, senior discovery biology roles are typically driven by ongoing biotech and pharma research needs, especially for candidates with virology or immunology backgrounds. This role is competitive because it asks for documented HBV or pathogenic DNA virus experience plus strong molecular biology skills, and the listed requirements and benefits here are AI-summarized from the original job description to save you research time. If you are applying, tailor your resume to specific virus models, assays, and publications or project outcomes that show depth in this niche.