Our company's Neuroscience is recruiting a Sr. Scientist in our Neuroimmunology team in Boston, MA to lead in vivo model development and validation to advance novel immune-based therapies for CNS diseases. As a Sr. Scientist, you will apply your expertise to evaluate PK/PD and disease-relevant endpoints in murine models to advance pipeline programs. This lab-based role requires independent ownership of study design, execution, sample processing and evaluation, data analysis, and clear communication of results to cross-functional project teams and stakeholders. The successful candidate will be able to work independently as well as proactively collaborate with colleagues to generate high-impact data to drive decision making and advance drug discovery.
Key responsibilities of the In Vivo Neuroimmunology Sr. Scientist include:
Design, execute, and report murine in vivo studies addressing target validation, mechanism of action, PK/PD, and translational biomarkers; take end‑to‑end ownership of study planning and documentation.
Perform and supervise dosing (IV, IP, PO, SC and other routes), blood collection, cardiac perfusion, and careful dissection/collection of CNS and peripheral tissues.
Prepare and fractionate tissues for biochemical and molecular assays (soluble/insoluble protein fractions) and execute immunoassays and RNA analyses (e.g. ELISA, OLINK, NULISA, western blot, flow cytometry, qPCR/RT‑qPCR, bulk and single-cell RNA sequencing).
Process, curate, and analyze datasets; apply statistical and computational tools to generate figures, study reports and presentations that inform program decisions.
Troubleshoot and optimize experimental and analytical workflows, validate new methods, ensure reproducibility, and maintain accurate records.
Communicate results clearly to project teams and the broader scientific community (internal reports, presentations, and publications), and uphold laboratory safety, animal welfare and regulatory compliance while collaborating across functions and with external partners.
Work environment and travel:
This is an on‑site, laboratory position based in Boston. Occasional travel (<10%) may be required.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Education:
Required Experience and Skills:
Demonstrated hands‑on experience designing and executing rodent in vivo experiments including stereotaxic surgeries (intracerebral and intracerebroventricular injections)
Proficiency with multiple routes of dosing, blood collection methods, cardiac perfusion, and dissection of CNS (discrete brain regions, spinal cord) and peripheral tissues
Practical experience preparing tissue fractions (soluble/insoluble proteins) and performing biochemical and molecular assays (e.g. ELISA, OLINK, NULISA, western blot, RNA sequencing or qPCR)
Experience independently analyzing and visualizing experimental data including from multiplexed platforms
Strong written and oral communication skills; ability to prepare study reports and present findings to diverse audiences
Ability to work independently within a collaborative, cross‑functional team
Preferred Experience and Skills:
Industry drug‑discovery experience in pharmaceutical or biotech settings
Hands‑on proficiency with murine procedures including CSF collection and osmotic‑pump implantation/management
Experience with inflammatory and neurodegenerative transgenic mouse models or with PK/PD and dose–response study design/interpretation
Experience designing and executing sequencing studies (i.e. bulk RNAseq, scRNAseq or snRNAseq), working knowledge of data analysis tools (Python and/or RStudio preferred) and experience generating figures/reports
Experience mentoring or supervising early‑career scientists and collaborating across functional teams
Record of contributions to scientific publications or presentations
#EligibleforERP
Required Skills:
Biology, Blood Specimen Collection, Cardiac Perfusion, Dosing, In Vivo Animal Models, In Vivo Experiment, In Vivo Studies, Molecular Biology, Neuroscience, Neuroscience Research, Pharmacology, Stereotaxic Surgery
Preferred Skills:
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The salary range for this role is
$119,100.00 - $187,500.00
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
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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:
07/7/2026
*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.
At MSD, known as Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA in the United States and Canada, we are unified around our purpose: We use the power of leading-edge science to save and improve lives around the world. For more than 130 years, we have brought hope to humanity through the development of important medicines and vaccines. We aspire to be the premier research-intensive biopharmaceutical company in the world – and today, we are at the forefront of research to deliver innovative health solutions that advance the prevention and treatment of diseases in people and animals. We foster a diverse and inclusive global workforce and operate responsibly every day to enable a safe, sustainable and healthy future for all people and communities. For more information, visit www.msd.com and connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.
