Principal Scientist, Discovery Oncology

Job Description

We are seeking a highly qualified and motivated Principal Scientist with a strong background in Oncology drug discovery to join our Discovery Oncology team in Boston. The successful candidate will have a track record of innovative and collaborative oncology research and drug discovery, as well as experience managing other scientists. In this role, you will lead the conception, design, and execution of discovery-stage research programs and will partner closely with cross-functional teams across the organization to advance differentiated cancer therapies from target selection through early development. You will also manage and support lab-based direct reports in designing and executing experiments to progress discovery programs.

Responsibilities include:

• Lead discovery efforts to deliver differentiated Oncology programs through effective cross-functional collaboration with stakeholders across the organization

• Analyze the evolving oncology treatment landscape to identify gaps, unmet medical needs, and competitive opportunities

• Effectively manage and lead multiple projects, design experiments, manage resources, analyze, interpret, and present data

• Manage multiple direct reports: provide scientific and technical leadership to a small, high-performing team, driving innovation, quality, and excellence in experimental design and data interpretation; foster talent growth and development

• Foster a high-performance culture of collaboration, engagement, and inclusion. Establish strong relationships within highly collaborative, multidisciplinary teams to effectively drive drug discovery initiatives

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education:

• Bachelor's (with 14+ years), Master's (with 10+ years) or Ph.D. (with 8+ years) in cell and molecular biology, cancer biology, or related field and relevant experience

Required Experience and Skills:

• Deep expertise in tumor biology, including cancer genomics and oncogenic signaling

• Extensive experience leading drug discovery programs

• Broad technical expertise in molecular and cellular biology, biochemistry, and analytical methods

• Experience managing scientists and demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects concurrently

• Demonstrated ability to drive innovative research, evidenced by high-impact publications, patents, and/or successful advancement of discovery programs

• Candidate should be a strong team player with excellent communication skills and with a demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and thrive in a team environment

• Proven record of innovative thinking to propose and champion new ideas and solve problems

Preferred Experience and Skills:

• Hands-on experience with a broad range of therapeutic modalities

• Experience in small molecule inhibitors and novel use of small molecules, including induced proximity

#EligibleforERP

Required Skills:

Cancer Biology, Cancer Genomics, Cancer Research, Drug Discovery Process, Oncology Research, People Leadership, Program Leadership, Signalling, Small Molecules, Tumor 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:

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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

The salary range for this role is

$176,200.00 - $277,300.00

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.

You can apply for this role through 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.

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/International

VISA Sponsorship:

Yes

Travel Requirements:

10%

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Not Applicable

Shift:

1st - Day

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

N/A

Job Posting End Date:

06/1/2026

*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.

Requisition ID:R398155