Principal Scientist, Early Clinical Development, Respiratory Therapeutic Area
Boston, MA - USA
Job Summary
Job Description
We have an exciting opportunity for a physician-scientist to join our group as aPrincipal Scientist (Clinical Director) in Translational Medicine/Early Clinical Development in the Respiratory Therapeutic Area based in the US (Boston MA).
Translational Medicine at our Research Division is responsible for early clinical development of novel therapeutics working in close collaboration with our discovery scientists and late-stage clinical researchers. The Respiratory Therapeutic Area specifically focuses on development in the respiratory system including diseases of the airways parenchyma and pulmonary vasculature. We are seeking a highly qualified individual for a position in our group. The ideal candidate for this position is a physician-scientist with training in pulmonology and an established track record of scientific achievement who desires a career in developing therapies for respiratory disease.
Success depends on the integrity knowledge imagination creativity skill diversity and teamwork of the people in the group. To this end we strive to create an environment of mutual respect encouragement and teamwork. Candidates should have a strong background in basic translational and/or clinical research and a desire to work collaboratively across the organization between departments and therapeutic areas as part of a global team.
Primary responsibilities for the Principal Scientist include the following:
Working with basic science teams on specific diseases and therapeutic areas providing clinical expertise for identification and validation of novel targets including the design of preclinical and clinical experiments to validate targets and/or pathways and leveraging this work for development of novel therapeutics
Working with cross-functional teams including discovery scientists pharmacologists toxicologists and other specialists to advance novel therapeutics from preclinical development into clinical development
As a key member/leader of an early development team working in close collaboration with internal and external staff and scientists (including discovery research biostatistics drug metabolism modeling and simulation regulatory affairs and global clinical trials operations) for the design and execution of early clinical development strategy
Taking a lead role in developing and executing clinical pharmacology studies for programs in all phases (I IV) of development including formulation or device changes drug-drug interaction studies and studies in special populations
Providing early phase/clinical pharmacology support for programs through the regulatory filing process including preparation of supportive documents and presentations
Developing and executing studies to validate established and novel clinical biomarkers including blood/tissue sampling imaging electrophysiological wearable devices and behavioral responses to study biological activity in humans
Providing clinical and scientific expertise to assess internal and external opportunities for partnership
Engaging with the broader internal and external scientific community in disease or therapeutic areas of interest including via consultations with scientific/academic thought leaders preparation of posters and publications and attendance/presentation at conferences
Working broadly with key functions across the company at research sites around the world.
Translational Medicine is specifically responsible for:
Contributing to the identification of novel targets by partnering with Discovery Sciences to bring a clinical perspective into the earliest stages of target identification and validation and to execute clinical studies to evaluate the relevance of potential targets to human disease in order to justify full development.
Leadership of the early clinical development strategy for novel therapeutic programs from the preclinical stage through Phase 1 studies of safety tolerability pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics to Phase 2 studies demonstrating Proof-of-Concept and enabling Phase 3 clinical trials.
Development of biomarker strategies through cross-functional teams that advance therapeutics from First-in-Human studies through clinical Proof-of-Concept. This includes experimental medicine studies to establish and/or validate biomarker platforms.
Development and execution of clinical pharmacology strategies to support later stages of development through to worldwide regulatory applications.
Education:
Doctoral degree: MD or MD/PhD (or international equivalent) required
Required:
Experience in biomedical research with a demonstrated record of scientific scholarship and achievement including scientific publications. The specific clinical or scientific background is less important than having a track record of excellence and a willingness to work collaboratively across different therapeutic areas.
Strong interpersonal writing and presentation skills as well as the ability to function in a team environment are essential.
Experience in clinical medicine including completion or anticipated completion of residency and fellowship training is required.
Fellowship training and clinical board certification in Pulmonology or related discipline involving care of respiratory diseases (such as Allergy) is required.
Experience as an academic faculty member is preferred.
Prior experience in the pharmaceutical industry is helpful but not required.
#EligibleforERP
Required Skills:
Allergy and Immunology Asthma Biomedical Research Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Clinical Development Clinical Medicine Clinical Research Clinical Trial Planning Cross-Functional Teamwork Pulmonary Disease Research Pulmonary Disorders Pulmonology Translational ResearchPreferred Skills:
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The salary range for this role is
$260300.00 - $409700.00This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. An employees 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 can apply for this role through (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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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:
RegularRelocation:
DomesticVISA Sponsorship:
YesTravel Requirements:
25%Flexible Work Arrangements:
Not ApplicableShift:
Not IndicatedValid Driving License:
NoHazardous Material(s):
n/aJob Posting End Date:
08/31/2026*A job posting is effective until 11:59:59PM on the day BEFOREthe listed job posting end date. Please ensure you apply to a job posting no later than the day BEFORE the job posting end date.
Required Experience:
Staff IC
About Company
Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, New Jersey, USA is known as “Merck” in the United States, Canada & Puerto Rico. We are known as “MSD” in Europe, Middle East, Africa, Latin America & Asia Pacific. We are a global biopharmaceutical leader with a diverse portfolio of prescription medicine ... View more