Sr. Scientist

The Merck Functional Genomics team within the Department of Data, AI, and Genome Science (DAGS) is seeking a passionate cell biologist for a CRISPR Screening Contractor position based at their Research Lab in Cambridge, MA. This group develops high-throughput and biologically relevant assays to better understand disease mechanisms and to identify and validate new drug targets and biomarkers. Working across therapeutic areas such as cardiometabolic disease, immunology, and neuroscience, the successful candidate will contribute to target ID and validation using cutting-edge CRISPR and functional genomic technologies. This role is ideal for a collaborative scientist who can work independently, participate actively in scientific dialogue, and proactively partner with colleagues across the Discovery, Preclinical, and Translational Medicine (DPTM) organization.

Responsibilities 

• Develop, execute, and troubleshoot new cell-based assays, protocols, and analysis methods to discover and validate new drug targets.
• Execute large-scale CRISPR screens in both pooled and arrayed formats.
• Work with complex cellular models, including primary cells, iPSCs, and/or three-dimensional models, in addition to immortalized cell lines.
• Apply advanced techniques for gene editing, high-throughput screening, and high-content imaging.
• Utilize liquid handling automation, Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS), and single-cell sequencing in daily experimental workflows.
• Design and execute experiments, interpret complex data sets, and maintain a detailed lab notebook and accurate records of work.
• Communicate scientific results and findings clearly and concisely to multi-disciplinary teams and key stakeholders.

Education 

• PhD in molecular and cell biology or a related scientific discipline, OR
• BS/MS degree in molecular and cell biology or a related scientific discipline.

Experience 

• For PhD holders: 0–2 years of relevant wet lab research experience.
• For BS/MS holders: 5+ years of post-graduate wet lab research experience.
• Demonstrated expertise with mammalian cell culture using sterile techniques and cell-based assay development.
• Proven experience with CRISPR-screening.
• Experience with—or a strong, demonstrated motivation to learn—lentiviral transduction, RNP nucleofection for gene editing, flow cytometry, and single-cell sequencing.

Additional Information 

• Lab Time: This position requires 90% of the time to be spent actively working in the laboratory.
• Core Technologies: The role utilizes innovative screening methods including CRISPR, Perturb-seq, Optical Pooled Screening, and Spatial Transcriptomics.