Associate Director, Quantitative Pharmacology & Pharmacometrics - Mechanistic Modeling, Immunology

MSD; South San Francisco (CA); Hybrid; USD 157,000 - 247,000; Full time

Job summary

MSD is seeking an Associate Director to lead mechanistic modeling for translational drug development in immunology. You will independently design model analysis plans and collaborate with cross-functional teams to optimize dosing strategies and support clinical trial design.

The role emphasizes developing PK/PD, PBPK, and QSP models, integrating preclinical and clinical data, and communicating complex results clearly to stakeholders. Hybrid work arrangements are available in California.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. or equivalent degree with at least 4 years of relevant experience; PharmD or equivalent degree with at least 6 years; or MS with at least 8 years.
• Educational background in biopharmaceutics, pharmaceutical sciences, pharmacometrics, mathematics, statistics/biostatistics, computational biology/chemistry, or chemical/biomedical engineering.
• Experience in PK/PKPD/QSP modeling using Phoenix, R, Matlab, NONMEM, Monolix.
• Advanced skills in experimental design, mathematical problem solving, data analysis and interpretation.
• Proficiency in written and verbal communication and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Apply quantitative skills to integrate preclinical and clinical data for PK/PD, PBPK, QSP, or other mechanistic models.
• Develop and implement translational PK/PD strategies and perform clinical trial simulations.
• Inform dose selection, schedule, and trial design through model-based analyses.

Skills

Data Analysis

Data Modeling

Data Visualization

Drug Development

Immunology Research

Machine Learning (ML)

Model Development

Pharmacology

Pharmacometrics

PKPD Modeling

Quantitative Models

Scientific Presentations

Job description

Job Description

The Associate Director is an expert mechanistic modeler and a quantitative drug developer who independently designs and executes model analysis plans with minimal supervision informing translational and drug development research questions within immunology. The ideal candidate is collaborative, possesses a learning mindset and effectively partners with functional departments and external vendors to develop aligned strategies and deliver solutions. In addition, you share your skills and ideas with the department to advance our science. Excellent communication skills are required including the ability to clearly present scientific data in group settings.

As an Associate Director, you will participate in cross-functional teams of experienced scientists to discover and advance the clinical development of novel therapeutic agents for immunologic disorders. You will apply your expertise to frame critical drug development questions to optimize drug development using model-based approaches and influence cross-functional teams to adopt such strategies. More specifically, you will apply your quantitative skills to integrate preclinical and clinical data developing and using PK/PD, PBPK, QSP, or other mechanistic models of drug disposition and drug action to define success criteria and make model-informed decisions. Moreover, you develop and implement translational PK/PD strategies, perform clinical trial simulations, conduct comparator modeling and other model-based analyses to inform dose selection and schedule, clinical trial design and go/no-go decisions.

Required:

• Ph.D. or equivalent degree with at least 4 years of relevant experience; PharmD or equivalent degree with at least 6 years of relevant experience; or MS or equivalent degree with at least 8 years of relevant experience. Relevant experience should reflect increasing responsibility and independence in pharmaceutical drug development, a regulatory agency, or academia.


• An educational background in biopharmaceutics, pharmaceutical sciences, pharmacometrics, mathematics, statistics/ biostatistics, computational biology/chemistry, or chemical/biomedical engineering.


• Experience in performing hands‑on (population) PK / PKPD / QSP modeling using standard pharmacometric software (e.g. Phoenix, R, Matlab, NONMEM, Monolix)


• Advanced skills in experimental design, mathematical problem solving, critical thinking about data analysis and interpretation


• Proficiency in written and verbal communication and interdisciplinary collaboration

Preferred:

• An exemplary record of increasing responsibility, independence, and demonstrated impact in driving drug development decisions through application of model-based approaches


• Knowledge of immunology biology


• Experience with complex therapeutic biologics


• Expertise in developing novel modeling strategies or automated workflows that rely on PBPK, QSP or related mechanistic modeling


• Experience in integrating AI/ML methods in mechanistic modeling and/or modeling workflows


• Scientific understanding of ADME and biopharmaceutic properties of biologics, small molecules, or non‑traditional therapeutics

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#EligibleforERP

Required Skills:

Data Analysis, Data Modeling, Data Visualization, Drug Development, Immunology Research, Machine Learning (ML), Model Development, Pharmacology, Pharmacometrics, PKPD Modeling, Quantitative Models, Scientific Presentations

Preferred Skills:

Data Analysis, Data Modeling, Data Visualization, Drug Development, Immunology Research, Machine Learning (ML), Model Development, Pharmacology, Pharmacometrics, PKPD Modeling, Quantitative Models, Scientific Presentations

US and Puerto Rico Residents Only:

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The salary range for this role is

$156,900.00 - $247,000.00

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 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.

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 https://jobs.merck.com/us/en/compensation-and-benefits.

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

Employee Status:

Regular

Relocation:

Domestic

VISA Sponsorship:

Yes

Travel Requirements:

10%

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Hybrid

Shift:

Not Indicated

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

n/a

Job Posting End Date:

10/24/2026

*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.