Job Description
The Clinical and Regulatory Strategic Communications (CRSC) department within Global Clinical Trial Operations (GCTO) creates and delivers high-quality regulated content in support of our development pipeline and enables data sharing for our customers. We are a strategic partner that ensures excellence and compliance with applicable laws while incorporating health literacy principles in the development of public-facing materials. The Principal Medical Writer, in partnership with a project lead, leverages strategic and scientific expertise to develop, author, edit, and lead the review of accurate, clear, and compliant clinical, regulatory, and public-facing documents, across multiple programs and therapeutic areas, in support of the company portfolio.
- Is recognized as a subject matter expert in the design, planning, authoring, editing, and review of accurate, clear, high-quality documents that reflect applicable medical writing best practices (e.g., lean writing, health literacy) and evolving regulatory requirements
- Is recognized as a strong scientific contributor and collaborator on cross-functional teams and demonstrates an understanding of team and project leadership responsibilities
- Applies critical thinking, problem solving, and negotiation skills to implement innovative solutions to complex challenges across the medical writing scope of work (e.g., documents, content, processes, timelines, tools) while navigating project team dynamics
- Provides program oversight by keeping project leads and/or management informed and escalates, as needed, issues that could impact timelines, quality, or compliance
- Demonstrates expertise in medical writing-specific tools and technology platforms
- Leads initiatives to improve medical writing processes and standards; may serve as a resource for this work internally and externally, as appropriate
- Applies in-depth knowledge of clinical development, relevant regulations, disease areas, and company products. Demonstrates a developing understanding of the pharmaceutical industry beyond clinical research
- Provides scientific and operational mentorship, coaching and/or project oversight to support other medical writers
- May manage direct reports including workload, professional development, and performance management
Qualifications
- Required: Bachelor’s degree or higher preferably in a health, scientific, or relevant discipline (e.g., life sciences, pharmacy, medicine, public health)
- 5+ years of relevant medical writing or industry experience
Required Skills & Experience
- Experience managing complex writing projects in a deadline-driven environment and leading teams of medical writers and/or cross-functional team members
- Ability to critically evaluate and interpret clinical data clearly, objectively, and in accordance with regulatory requirements and industry guidelines
- Demonstrated critical thinking and problem-solving capabilities, with an ability to innovate, influence, and drive change
- Demonstrated effective leadership across organizational levels, including conflict resolution, negotiation, navigating teams through ambiguity, and decision making
- Excellent oral and written communication and presentation skills
- Technical expertise in commonly used office applications (e.g., Microsoft Office Suite) shared document systems (e.g., SharePoint) and willingness to learn and adapt to emerging technology
Preferred Skills & Experience
- Experience independently preparing a various set of clinical regulatory documents (e.g., protocols, clinical study reports, clinical submission documents) in accordance with regulatory requirements and industry guidelines.
Clinical and Regulatory Medical Writer (MW)
- Experience independently preparing a various set of clinical regulatory documents (e.g., protocols, clinical study reports, clinical submission documents) in accordance with regulatory requirements and industry guidelines.
Search Firm Policy
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
10%
Flexible Work Arrangements
Not Applicable
Shift
1st - Day
Valid Driving License
No
Hazardous Material(s)
N/A
Primary Location
USA - Pennsylvania - North Wales (Upper Gwynedd)
Salary Range
$142,400.00 - $224,100.00
This range reflects the Company's reasonable expectation of the base salary applicable to this role at the time of posting. An employee’s 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.
Benefits
- Medical
- Dental
- Vision healthcare and other insurance benefits (for employee and family)
- Retirement benefits, including 401(k)
- Paid holidays
- Vacation
- Compassionate and sick days
Requisition ID
R418208
Job Posting End Date
10/22/2026
Posting Information
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.