Pathologist (all genders) Clinical Development

Merck Healthcare; Darmstadt; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Merck Healthcare in Darmstadt (Germany) seeks an experienced Pathologist in Clinical Development to shape tissue-based patient selection strategies and CDx development within the Clinical Biomarkers & Technology team. You will lead novel scoring approaches and work with diagnostic partners, CROs, and the digital pathology team to implement cutting-edge solutions across translational and clinical programs.

This senior role requires MD with pathology board certification and extensive experience in

Qualifications

• MD with board certification in human pathology required.
• Substantial CRO/pharma/biotech experience preferred.
• Excellent English communication; ability to work across disciplines.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement tissue-based patient selection and stratification strategies for clinical programs.
• Lead development of novel scoring approaches and experimental study designs.
• Provide authoritative pathology guidance across pre-clinical activities, CDx development, and CRO interactions.
• Coordinate external pathology networks and academic partnerships to support biomarker analyses.

Skills

Digital pathology

Analytical mindset

English proficiency

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

MD with pathology board certification

Tools

Digital pathology tools

Job description

Work Your Magic with us!

Ready to explore, break barriers, and discover more? We know you’ve got big plans – so do we! Our colleagues across the globe love innovating with science and technology to enrich people’s lives with our solutions in Healthcare, Life Science, and Electronics. Together, we dream big and are passionate about caring for our rich mix of people, customers, patients, and planet. That's why we are always looking for curious minds that see themselves imagining the unimaginable with us.

United As One for Patients, our purpose in Healthcare is to help create, improve and prolong lives. We develop medicines, intelligent devices and innovative technologies in therapeutic areas such as Oncology, Neurology and Fertility. Our teams work together across 6 continents with passion and relentless curiosity in order to help patients at every stage of life. Joining our Healthcare team is becoming part of a diverse, inclusive and flexible working culture, presenting great opportunities for personal development and career advancement across the globe.

Your Role

You will be the expert voice that shapes how they are developed, validated, and applied in clinical programs. As a Pathologist in Clinical Development within the Clinical Biomarkers & Technology team, you will drive the design and implementation of innovative tissue-based patient selection and stratification strategies, directly influencing the success of clinical trials and the advancement of personalized therapies.

You will lead the development of novel scoring approaches and experimental study designs that improve the efficiency and accuracy of patient selection.

Drawing on your deep expertise, you will provide authoritative pathology guidance across pre-clinical activities, Companion Diagnostics (CDx) development, and interactions with diagnostic partners and Contract Research Organizations (CROs). You will coordinate and cultivate external pathology networks and academic partnerships, contributing both strategic and tactical direction to tissue-based biomarker analysis.

Working in close collaboration with the digital pathology team, you will guide the implementation of cutting-edge solutions within translational and clinical development programs. You will review and critically analyze relevant scientific literature and internal and external study data, translating insights into actionable recommendations for the broader biomarker development team. In this role, you will act as a senior advisor and mentor, influencing peers and cross-functional stakeholders on complex technical and scientific challenges.

Who You Are

• Medical degree (MD) with board certification in human pathology
• Substantial professional experience in a CRO, pharmaceutical, or biotechnology environment, or equivalent industry setting
• Hands‑on expertise in digital pathology tools and methodologies
• Solid understanding of clinical testing and medical device development processes
• Knowledge of clinical development processes in the pharmaceutical industry, including the implementation of biomarker tests in clinical trials
• Familiarity with relevant regulatory guidelines, including ICH, and Good Clinical Practice (GCP) principles
• Demonstrated publication record and proven contributions to biomarker discovery
• Strong analytical mindset with a focus on outcomes and scientific rigor
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English; additional languages are an asset
• Collaborative working style with the ability to build trusted relationships across multidisciplinary teams and external partners

Location: Darmstadt or Billerica

Expert 3

HC-RD-BDP Pathology

What we offer:

We are curious minds that come from a broad range of backgrounds, perspectives, and life experiences. We believe that this variety drives excellence and innovation, strengthening our ability to lead in science and technology. We are committed to creating access and opportunities for all to develop and grow at your own pace. Join us in building a culture of inclusion and belonging that impacts millions and empowers everyone to work their magic and champion human progress!