Senior Scientist, Quantitative Biosciences (1-Year Fixed-Term Contract)

Job Description

Our company has a rapidly growing, interdisciplinary team of scientists in London and exciting plans to expand our London presence. This will initially be at the Francis Crick Institute as part of our ‘Skylab’ expansion, and from 2027 in our new ‘state of art’ and fully integrated Research and Discovery Centre at the hub of London’s knowledge Quarter. This new building will be home to approximately 180 scientists alongside other colleagues in discovery research, clinical, regulatory and business roles, including marketing, finance and administration.

We have an exciting Senior Scientist opportunity for a Biochemist/pharmacologist to join our team at the Francis Crick Institute in London on a 1-year fixed term contract. Working collaboratively with our London discovery teams you will apply your skills in biochemical/biophysical assay development, data analysis, laboratory automation and detection technologies to advance therapeutic programs across the Immunology and Neuroscience therapy areas. If you are lab-focused, scientifically curious and looking to develop your skills, we\’d love for you to be part of our diverse and passionate team.

In this role you will:

• Design and execute quantitative biochemical and biophysical assays to identify, characterize, and optimize candidates for therapeutic programs aimed at Immunology/Neuroscience related diseases.

• Conduct molecular mechanism of action studies to understand compound efficacy and specificity, as well as the downstream impact to biology.

• Apply automation to functional assays to deliver impactful data at scale.

• Collaborate on new technology initiatives to evaluate, implement and build internal capabilities.

• Collaborate with our London-based disease area and genome sciences colleagues as needed to identify our next generation of drug targets.

• Conceptualize and enact innovative approaches to solve program objectives and issues.

• Manage project-specific milestones and timelines.

• Interpret data and communicate science and strategy to stakeholders and management.

• Take on increasing responsibility within the Quantitative Biosciences group and on project teams as your skills develop.

What you will need:

• Educated to Ph.D, or BSc/MSc level with experience in biotech/pharma; experience in Neuroscience and/or Immunology would be useful but not essential.

• Proven ability to independently design, implement and interpret complex biochemical/biophysical assays using fluorescence and label-free technologies and associated analytical software solutions. This may include proficiency in techniques such as SPR, thermal shift, FP, TR-FRET and luminescence & absorbance-based techniques.

• Practical experience in the characterisation of isolated targets, which may include but not be limited to catalytic mechanism determination, compound-inhibitor mechanism of action studies and quantitative measurement of the kinetics of drug-target interactions.

• An ability to propose new, innovative approaches and experimental designs as needed.

• Experience with medium to high throughput assay-related data analysis and an appreciation for the related quantitative and statistical concepts.

• A flexible and collaborative approach to working across teams, projects and departments.

• Effective written and oral communication skills.

• The ability to adapt to changing priorities with a passion for innovation and problem-solving.

We are proud to be a company that embraces the value of bringing diverse, talented, and committed people together. The fastest way to breakthrough innovation is when diverse ideas come together in an inclusive environment. We encourage our colleagues to respectfully challenge one another’s thinking and approach problems collectively. We are an equal opportunity employer, committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace.

The closing date for applications will be 11:59pm on Thursday 14th August.

Current Employees apply HERE

Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

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:

Project Temps (Fixed Term)

Relocation:

VISA Sponsorship:

Travel Requirements:

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Not Applicable

Shift:

Valid Driving License:

Hazardous Material(s):

Required Skills:

Adaptability, Adaptability, Assay, Assay Development, Biochemical Assays, Cell-Based Assays, Cell Culture Techniques, Clinical Immunology, Communication, Data Analysis, Detail-Oriented, Drug Target Identification, Flow Cytometry, Fluorescence, High Content Screening, Immunoassays, Immunology, Laboratory Automation, Molecular Biology, Neuroanatomy, Oral Communications, Personal Initiative, Project Management, Protein Purifications, Quantitative Assay {+ 3 more}

Preferred Skills:

Job Posting End Date:

08/15/2025

*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: R359526

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