Postdoctoral Research Fellow - Pharmacology

Merck & Co., Inc.

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Merck is a global health care leader with a diversified portfolio of prescription medicines, vaccines and consumer health products, as well as animal health products. Today, we are building a new kind of healthcare company – one that is ready to help create a healthier future for all of us.

Our ability to excel depends on the integrity, knowledge, imagination, skill, diversity and teamwork of people like you. To this end, we strive to create an environment of mutual respect, encouragement and teamwork. As part of our global team, you’ll have the opportunity to collaborate with talented and dedicated colleagues while developing and expanding your career.

Be a part of the legacy: MRL Postdoctoral Research Fellow Program.

The Merck Research Laboratories (MRL) Postdoctoral Research Fellow Program aims to be a best-in-industry program for industrial postdoctoral researchers, designed to provide you with an academic focus in a commercial environment. With the resources, reach, and expertise of a large pharmaceutical company, postdoctoral researchers will be positioned to excel in an institution committed to breakthrough innovation in research and discovery.

Position Overview: 

As a postdoctoral fellow in Merck’s Pharmacology department you will work with a highly collaborative team of scientists from basic research and structural chemistry. Your goals will be to conceive, design and implement experiments using hydrogen-deuterium exchange (HDX) mass spectrometry to delineate regions/residues in membrane proteins responsible for molecular recognition of modulators or for coupling to downstream effector molecules. Studies will be performed within the context of detergent solubilized, reconstituted (nanodiscs) and truncated soluble preparations of the receptor in the absence and presence of modulators. To support you in these studies you will have access to state-of-the art HDX instrumentation and will work alongside a team of scientists with world-class expertise in biochemistry, biophysics and mass spectrometry.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Designing and carrying out HDX-MS experiments to characterize conformational changes of membrane proteins in the presence and absence of modulators and/or effector molecules. These studies will necessitate:
• Optimization of conditions for detergent solubilization or reconstitution of full-length proteins in manners compatible with HDX-MS.
• Optimization of experimental conditions contributing to successful HDX-MS analysis (kinetics of deuterium incorporation, solution conditions and on-line proteolysis to ensure substantial sequence coverage and successful detection/identification of proteolytic peptides).
• Data analysis and interpretation to identify regions/residues affected by ligand interaction.
• Mapping of differential HDX profiles onto structural models of membrane proteins (where such models are available).
• Collaborating with colleagues in Pharmacology for biophysical characterization of proteins and preparation of necessary reagents to support HDX experiments.
• Presentation of data at internal and external meetings to refine direction for future studies.

Education Minimum Requirement:

• PhD in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Pharmacology or related field.

Required Experience and Skills:

• PhD, or met all the requirements for a PhD by June 2015, with 3 years or less postdoctoral experience
• Hands-on experience with hydrogen-deuterium exchange (HDX) mass spectrometry.
• Proven track record of publication in peer-reviewed journals.

Preferred Experience and Skills:

• Prior experience conducting HDX experiments on membrane proteins (e.g. GPCRs) is highly desirable.
• Experience with biochemical and/or biophysical characterization of membrane proteins would aid in distinguishing the candidate.

Our employees are the key to our company’s success. We demonstrate our commitment to our employees by offering a competitive and valuable rewards program. Merck’s benefits are designed to support the wide range of goals, needs and lifestyles of our employees, and many of the people that matter the most in their lives.

Merck is an equal opportunity employer, M/F/D/V – proudly embracing diversity in all of its manifestations. Former Military, Transitioning Service Members, National Guard & Reserves - We value your past and present service.

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