Director of Bioconjugate Chemistry

Job Description

Are you ready to embark on an exciting career journey where your expertise in medicinal chemistry can drive groundbreaking discoveries and have a lasting impact on global healthcare? Our Discovery Chemistry team in South San Francisco, CA is looking for a collaborative and creative Director to join us. In this role, you will have the opportunity to develop people, lead transformative projects, influence scientific strategy, set departmental vision, and expand your network. As a leader in our organization, you will leverage your talent across the following principal responsibilities:

Leverage your people leadership talent to enable the growth and development of a team of exceptional scientists. This includes fostering their scientific curiosity, guiding their career paths, and promoting continuous learning. By embracing a diverse culture and modeling inclusive behaviors, you will create an environment where everyone feels valued and supported.

Lead Drug Discovery Projects: Utilize your expertise in bioconjugate drug discovery to lead high-impact research projects in bioconjugates across multiple therapeutic areas. Collaborate with cross-functional, multidisciplinary teams, leveraging their diverse skills and knowledge, to achieve project goals and milestones. Your strategic thinking, innovative problem-solving, and incisive decision-making will drive outcomes that can transform the lives of patients.

Set Department Strategy: Develop and execute the strategic vision for the South San Francisco Discovery Chemistry department, aligning it with our network-wide organizational objectives. As part of the South San Francisco Discovery Chemistry Leadership Team, define clear objectives, priorities, and indicators of excellence, ensuring that we remain at the forefront of synthesis and drug discovery.

Contribute to Scientific Strategy: Shape our scientific strategy by applying your deep knowledge of bioconjugate chemistry, staying informed on and sharing industry trends. Collaborate with key stakeholders to identify promising biological targets, innovative technologies, and cutting-edge research approaches. Provide strategic guidance and data-driven recommendations that align with our mission and goals, driving scientific innovation and enhancing our competitive position.

Influence the internal and external scientific community: Leverage your strong network and effective communication skills to foster collaborations with partners, thought leaders, and stakeholders within and outside of our company. Actively participate in conferences, industry events, and scientific forums to stay informed about emerging trends, expand our visibility, and establish strategic alliances that amplify Discovery Chemistry's impact at our company and on the broader scientific community. Cultivate relationships that reinforce our leadership in drug discovery and create opportunities for transformative partnerships.

To excel in this role, you will need strong skills in strategic thinking, effective communication, collaboration, balanced risk-taking, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. Your passion for science, unwavering commitment to patients, and ability to inspire and empower others will set you apart.

Embark on a career journey where your expertise and leadership will shape the future of medicinal chemistry, driving innovations that transform healthcare. Together, let's push the boundaries of scientific discovery and make a meaningful difference in the lives of people worldwide.

Position Qualifications:

Education Minimum Requirement:    

Ph.D. in chemistry or related field with 8+ years of industry experience in drug discovery; M.Sc. in chemistry or related field with 12+ years of industry experience in drug discovery; B.S. in chemistry or related field with 14+ years of industry experience in drug discovery.

Required Experience and Skills:

• Experience in bioconjugate chemistry and drug discovery.

• Demonstrated experience in leading drug discovery projects.  

• Proficiency in complex problem-solving and the ability to influence strategy across organizational boundaries.

• Strong leadership, communication, and collaboration skills.

• Proven track record of influencing teams, departments, and the enterprise, with the ability to work and influence across functional boundaries.

​Preferred experience:

• Proven managerial experience with a track record of training, developing talent, and mentoring team members in the field of medicinal chemistry and drug discovery.

NOTICE FOR INTERNAL APPLICANTS

In accordance with Managers' Policy - Job Posting and Employee Placement, all employees subject to this policy are required to have a minimum of twelve (12) months of service in current position prior to applying for open positions.

If you have been offered a separation benefits package, but have not yet reached your separation date and are offered a position within the salary and geographical parameters as set forth in the Summary Plan Description (SPD) of your separation package, then you are no longer eligible for your separation benefits package. To discuss in more detail, please contact your HRBP or Talent Acquisition Advisor.

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We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability status, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.  For more information about personal rights under the U.S. Equal Opportunity Employment laws, visit:

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U.S. Hybrid Work Model

Effective September 5, 2023, employees in office-based positions in the U.S. will be working a Hybrid work consisting of three total days on-site per week, Monday - Thursday, although the specific days may vary by site or organization, with Friday designated as a remote-working day, unless business critical tasks require an on-site presence.This Hybrid work model does not apply to, and daily in-person attendance is required for, field-based positions; facility-based, manufacturing-based, or research-based positions where the work to be performed is located at a Company site; positions covered by a collective-bargaining agreement (unless the agreement provides for hybrid work); or any other position for which the Company has determined the job requirements cannot be reasonably met working remotely. Please note, this Hybrid work model guidance also does not apply to roles that have been designated as “remote”.

The Company is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the salary range for this job in certain states and cities within the United States. Final determinations with respect to salary will take into account a number of factors, which may include, but not be limited to the primary work location and the chosen candidate’s relevant skills, experience, and education.

Expected US salary range:

Available benefits include bonus eligibility, long term incentive if applicable, health care and other insurance benefits (for employee and family), retirement benefits, paid holidays, vacation, and sick days. A summary of benefits is listed here.

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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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. 

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