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Senior Director of Clinical Science Lung

MSD


Job Location:

Rahway, NJ - USA

Monthly Salary: $ 190800 - 300300
Posted: 20 August 2026 (15 days ago)
Application Deadline: 17 November 2026
Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

Job Description

The Senior Director Clinical Science Lung is responsible for providing strategic Clinical Science leadership across the lung disease area with accountability spanning multiple studies programs and assets. Reporting to the Executive Director Lung Head and Neck and Gastrointestinal or to the Head of Clinical Science Oncology this role contributes to disease area strategy by applying deep therapeutic expertise to guide Clinical Science approaches support development planning and promote consistency in scientific standards medical data review practices and decision-making across the portfolio.

The individual in this role is expected to bring deep knowledge of lung cancer including disease biology current and emerging treatment landscape relevant clinical endpoints and key scientific considerations that influence development strategy and study design. The Senior Director partners closely with Section Heads Asset Leads Program Development Team Leads and cross-functional development team members to support study planning data interpretation issue resolution and broader program decisions across assigned studies and programs.

This role has a strong strategic orientation and is expected to shape how Clinical Science work is performed across the lung portfolio including standardization of practices alignment of scientific approaches and integration of insights across assets. The Senior Director may have responsibility for direct management and development of multiple Clinical Scientists and is expected to provide leadership coaching and clear direction within a matrix environment.

The role requires close collaboration with Clinical Operations Regulatory Affairs Biostatistics and Data Management Drug Safety and Pharmacovigilance Translational Medicine Medical Affairs and other key partner functions as well as contribution to governance discussions and senior leadership reviews.

Key Responsibilities

Disease Area and Clinical Science Strategy

  • Provide strategic Clinical Science leadership across the lung disease area including multiple studies programs and assets.

  • Contribute to disease area strategy by providing Clinical Science input on development opportunities scientific considerations portfolio risks and implications of emerging internal and external data.

  • Partner with Section Heads Asset Leads Program Development Team Leads and cross-functional leaders to support alignment of Clinical Science activities with broader program and disease area objectives.

  • Apply expert knowledge of lung cancer disease biology treatment landscape and clinically meaningful endpoints to inform study planning data interpretation and issue resolution.

  • Support cross-study and cross-asset integration of scientific insights to inform development decisions within the lung portfolio.

Standardization and Scientific Consistency

  • Lead efforts to standardize Clinical Science approaches across the lung disease area including medical data review practices data interpretation principles and key deliverables as appropriate.

  • Promote consistency in how Clinical Science activities are conducted across studies and programs while allowing for program-specific needs.

  • Help establish and maintain standards expectations and leading practices for Clinical Science work within the lung portfolio.

  • Support alignment across assets on important disease area considerations including endpoint interpretation patient population considerations safety topics and emerging scientific issues.

  • Advocate for implementation of innovative approaches including visual analytics centralized data review AI-enabled workflows and other technologies that improve quality and efficiency.

Strategic Scientific Leadership

  • Provide senior scientific guidance across assigned studies and programs to support high-quality and consistent Clinical Science input.

  • Guide interpretation of clinical data across studies cohorts and assets to support broader understanding of trends opportunities risks and program implications.

  • Support identification and evaluation of important clinical scientific and data-related issues and help ensure they are appropriately framed for cross-functional and governance discussions.

  • Contribute scientific perspective to protocol development protocol amendments study design considerations endpoint selection eligibility criteria biomarker strategy discussions and other development planning activities.

  • Serve as a Clinical Science subject matter resource for lung across study teams and partner functions.

Portfolio and Governance Contribution

  • Contribute Clinical Science perspective to portfolio discussions governance reviews and senior leadership meetings within the lung disease area.

  • Support preparation of clinical and scientific content for governance discussions program reviews and senior management communications.

  • Present cross-study insights scientific assessments and key issues to cross-functional leaders and governance bodies as appropriate.

  • Help ensure that portfolio and governance discussions are informed by sound scientific judgment and clinically meaningful interpretation of available data.

  • Translate portfolio priorities into Clinical Science strategies capabilities and resource plans.

People Leadership and Capability Building

  • Provide direct management for Directors Principal Scientists and Clinical Scientists as appropriate.

  • Set clear expectations for scientific quality strategic thinking collaboration and effective communication.

  • Support development of Clinical Science talent through coaching mentoring feedback and creation of development opportunities.

  • Promote consistency in role expectations and ways of working across Clinical Scientists supporting the lung portfolio.

  • Foster a culture of accountability inclusion continuous learning and strong team performance.

Cross-Functional Leadership

  • Partner closely with Clinical Operations Regulatory Affairs Biostatistics Data Management Drug Safety and Pharmacovigilance Translational Medicine Medical Affairs and other key partner functions.

  • Represent Clinical Science in cross-functional planning program discussions and strategic decision-making forums.

  • Facilitate alignment across studies programs and functions to support consistent scientific approaches and effective portfolio execution.

  • Support clear communication of clinical and scientific issues to relevant stakeholders and leadership teams.

Compliance and Continuous Improvement

  • Ensure Clinical Science activities are conducted in accordance with applicable regulatory requirements company policies and established procedures.

  • Support inspection readiness and appropriate documentation of Clinical Science contributions as applicable.

  • Identify opportunities to improve the quality consistency and effectiveness of Clinical Science work across the lung disease area.

  • Maintain awareness of relevant scientific clinical and regulatory developments in lung cancer to inform disease area strategy and Clinical Science practices.

Core Leadership Skills

  • Sets clear direction aligned with business and organizational priorities.

  • Demonstrates strong scientific and strategic judgment in complex and ambiguous situations.

  • Builds strong collaborative relationships across functions and levels.

  • Develops people through coaching feedback and support for growth.

  • Creates an inclusive environment where perspectives are valued.

  • Drives accountability and high standards for quality and performance.

  • Communicates clearly and effectively with team members cross-functional partners and senior leaders.

  • Leads through influence in a matrix environment and helps teams align around shared goals.

  • Encourages continuous improvement learning and thoughtful challenge.

  • Balances enterprise thinking with practical decision-making and timely action.

Education

  • Advanced scientific or healthcare degree required (PhD PharmD) at least 7 years of lung oncology drug development experience

-OR-

  • Masters Degree in life sciences 12 years of lung oncology drug development experience

Experience

  • Significant experience in Clinical Development Clinical Science oncology development or a related function within the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry.

  • Demonstrated experience providing Clinical Science leadership across multiple studies programs or assets.

  • Deep therapeutic area expertise in lung cancer including strong understanding of disease biology current and emerging treatment landscape clinically relevant endpoints and key scientific considerations affecting development.

  • Strong understanding of clinical trial design clinical development strategy clinical data review and interpretation of oncology data.

  • Experience contributing to disease area strategy portfolio discussions or cross-program planning.

  • Experience contributing to regulatory submissions safety reviews or health authority interactions.

  • Experience working effectively in cross-functional teams within a matrix environment.

  • Demonstrated ability to integrate information across studies and programs to support scientific and business decisions.

  • Excellent communication influence and executive presentation skills.

  • Demonstrated people leadership experience including management coaching and development of scientific staff.


Travel requirements 0-25%

Required Skills:

Change Agility Clinical Development Clinical Oncology Clinical Reporting Clinical Research Clinical Sciences Clinical Study Management Clinical Trial Management Medical Sciences Oncology People Leadership

Preferred Skills:

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Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

US and Puerto Rico Residents Only:

Our company is committed to inclusion ensuring that candidates can engage in a hiring process that exhibits their true capabilities. Please click here if you need an accommodation during the application or hiring process.

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 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:

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We are proud to be a company that embraces the value of bringing together talented and committed people with diverse experiences perspectives skills and backgrounds. The fastest way to breakthrough innovation is when people with diverse ideas broad experiences backgrounds and skills come together in an inclusive environment. We encourage our colleagues to respectfully challenge one anothers thinking and approach problems collectively.

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The salary range for this role is

$190800.00 - $300300.00

This 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

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:

Regular

Relocation:

No relocation

VISA Sponsorship:

No

Travel Requirements:

25%

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Hybrid

Shift:

Not Indicated

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

n/a

Job Posting End Date:

09/10/2026

*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:

Exec


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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

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