Califesciences
Associate Principal Scientist, Antibody Discovery Innovation
Califesciences, South San Francisco, California, us, 94083
We are on a quest for cures and are committed to be the world's premier, most research-intensive biopharmaceutical company. Our teams combine leading drug discovery capabilities and world-class R&D with the purpose of turning breakthrough science into life-changing medicines.
We are seeking an exceptional and experienced scientist in the role of Associate Principal Scientist in the South San Francisco Discovery Biologics group. The qualified candidate will be a scientist with a breadth and depth of expertise in immunization-based antibody discovery, including but not limited to expertise in adaptive immunity and B-cell biology, immunogen design, and experience with multiple hit finding platforms (e.g. high throughput microfluidics & NGS), in order to improve existing antibody discovery processes to help meet the needs for challenging targets and aggressive timelines.
What you will do:
Propose and lead technology development initiatives to further optimize existing in vivo de novo platforms to increase hits and decrease timelines
Serve as the antibody discovery representative on project teams to help define Target Candidate Profiles (TCP) and lead de novo hit finding strategies and campaigns
Potential for future development opportunities to lead Biologics discovery projects in collaboration with therapeutic area scientists
Stay abreast of external advancements in the relevant scientific fields
Promote the external reputation of our company's Discovery Biologics department
Qualifications & Experience
Ph.D. with 4+ years or Master's with 8+ years relevant industry experience
Experience in antibody drug discovery supporting therapeutic programs
Excellent communication and collaboration skills
Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
Required skills:
Depth of knowledge in adaptive immunity and B-cell biology and direct application towards optimizing antibody drug discovery and development campaigns
Track record of driving scientific and platform innovations
Experience leading therapeutic antibody discovery campaigns
Strong hands‑on laboratory skills, including but not limited to cell culture, molecular biology, assay development, and flow cytometry
Established external reputation through publications, presentations, and/or scientific community engagement
Preferred skills:
Ideal candidate will have experience in protein therapeutics beyond traditional mAbs including alternative non‑Ig scaffolds, bi‑ or multi‑specifics, fusion proteins, and ADCs
Salary and Benefits The salary range for this role is
$156,500.00 - $246,300.00 .
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, other insurance benefits (for employee and family), retirement benefits, including 401(k), paid holidays, vacation, and compassionate and sick days.
Application 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.
Equal Employment Opportunity 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 Know Your Rights, EEOC GINA Supplement.
Learn more about your rights, including under California, Colorado and other U.S. State Acts.
Job Posting End Date: 12/20/2025
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We are seeking an exceptional and experienced scientist in the role of Associate Principal Scientist in the South San Francisco Discovery Biologics group. The qualified candidate will be a scientist with a breadth and depth of expertise in immunization-based antibody discovery, including but not limited to expertise in adaptive immunity and B-cell biology, immunogen design, and experience with multiple hit finding platforms (e.g. high throughput microfluidics & NGS), in order to improve existing antibody discovery processes to help meet the needs for challenging targets and aggressive timelines.
What you will do:
Propose and lead technology development initiatives to further optimize existing in vivo de novo platforms to increase hits and decrease timelines
Serve as the antibody discovery representative on project teams to help define Target Candidate Profiles (TCP) and lead de novo hit finding strategies and campaigns
Potential for future development opportunities to lead Biologics discovery projects in collaboration with therapeutic area scientists
Stay abreast of external advancements in the relevant scientific fields
Promote the external reputation of our company's Discovery Biologics department
Qualifications & Experience
Ph.D. with 4+ years or Master's with 8+ years relevant industry experience
Experience in antibody drug discovery supporting therapeutic programs
Excellent communication and collaboration skills
Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
Required skills:
Depth of knowledge in adaptive immunity and B-cell biology and direct application towards optimizing antibody drug discovery and development campaigns
Track record of driving scientific and platform innovations
Experience leading therapeutic antibody discovery campaigns
Strong hands‑on laboratory skills, including but not limited to cell culture, molecular biology, assay development, and flow cytometry
Established external reputation through publications, presentations, and/or scientific community engagement
Preferred skills:
Ideal candidate will have experience in protein therapeutics beyond traditional mAbs including alternative non‑Ig scaffolds, bi‑ or multi‑specifics, fusion proteins, and ADCs
Salary and Benefits The salary range for this role is
$156,500.00 - $246,300.00 .
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, other insurance benefits (for employee and family), retirement benefits, including 401(k), paid holidays, vacation, and compassionate and sick days.
Application 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.
Equal Employment Opportunity 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 Know Your Rights, EEOC GINA Supplement.
Learn more about your rights, including under California, Colorado and other U.S. State Acts.
Job Posting End Date: 12/20/2025
#J-18808-Ljbffr