Associate Principal Scientist, In Vivo Pharmacology

MSD; South San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 160,000 - 251,000; Full time

Job summary

MSD Malaysia is seeking an Associate Principal Scientist to lead the In Vivo Pharmacology team in South San Francisco. The role focuses on developing in vivo pharmacology strategy, PD and efficacy models for cardiometabolic, renal, and respiratory diseases, and establishing PK/PD relationships for preclinical proof-of-concept.

You will drive model development, guide project teams across biology, chemistry, and DMPK, and deliver rigorous quantitative analyses to support decision-making and dose

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in Pharmacology or related discipline with extensive drug discovery experience.
• Proven record of success in driving in vivo pharmacology strategy and model/assay development.
• Strong expertise in cardiometabolic, renal, or respiratory models and in vivo methodologies.

Responsibilities

• Drive in vivo pharmacology strategy and model development for preclinical programs.
• Design and execute target engagement, PD, and efficacy studies with high scientific and ethical standards.
• Provide expert troubleshooting for complex study designs and protocols.
• Lead quantitative pharmacology and disease area expertise to guide model/assay development.
• Represent QB on project teams and collaborate with Biology, Med Chem, DMPK, Safety, etc.
• Analyze data, interpret findings, and translate results into actionable insights for decisions.
• Communicate complex scientific, technical, and business information to audiences including senior leadership.
• Maintain experimental documentation and contribute to internal reports, governance, and publications.
• Manage CROs and external partners to ensure data quality and timely delivery.

Skills

In Vivo Pharmacology

PK/PD modelling

Model Development

Cardiometabolic

Renal Medicine

Respiratory Pharmacology

Team Leadership

Data Analysis

Scientific Communication

Cross-functional Collaboration

Education

Pharmacology degree (Bachelor/Master/PhD)

Job description

Job Description We are recruiting an Associate Principal Scientist to join our In Vivo Pharmacology team located at our South San Francisco research laboratories. This role will focus on developing in vivo pharmacology strategy and pharmacodynamics (PD) and efficacy models for cardiometabolic, renal, and respiratory diseases, as well as establishing quantitative PK/PD relationship and preclinical proof-of-concept. Working with a team of multidisciplinary scientists, this individual will apply knowledge of translational animal models, in vivo technology platforms, and quantitative pharmacology to advance pipeline of therapeutic programs. The ideal candidate will possess deep scientific and technical expertise as well as strong leadership and communication skills to manage complex projects both internally and with external partners.

Key Responsibilities

• Drive in vivo pharmacology strategy: Act as a scientific leader, defining and executing in vivo model development and pharmacology strategy for preclinical programs.
• Design and execute target engagement, PD, and efficacy studies, ensuring high scientific and ethical standards.
• Provide expert troubleshooting for complex study design and protocols.
• Leverage quantitative pharmacology and disease area expertise for project support: Apply pharmacology principle and best practices as well as relevant expertise in cardiometabolic, renal, or respiratory disorders to guide model/assay selection and development.
• Lead model development & validation: Drive the development, characterization, and validation of relevant in vivo models and assays for target validation, compound profiling, and mechanism-of-action studies.
• Represent QB on project teams and collaborate with adjacent functions (Biology, Med Chem, DMPK, Safety, etc.) to enable a comprehensive pharmacology strategy that supports robust assessment of target engagement, in vitro/in vivo correlation, PK/PD relationship, and human dose projection.
• Data analysis, interpretation, and reporting: Perform rigorous quantitative data analysis, interpret key findings, and translate complex results into actionable insights that inform on project decisions.
• Effectively communicate complex scientific, technical, and business information to audiences (project teams, governance bodies, external partners, etc.).
• Maintain experimental documentation and contribute to internal reports, governance discussions, regulatory submissions, and publications.
• CRO and external partner management: Work effectively with internal stakeholders and external partners on the design and execution of studies, ensuring data quality and timely delivery of results.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Education: Bachelor's (with 12+ years), Master's (with 8+ years) or Ph.D./PharmD/DVM/MD (with 4+ years) in Pharmacology or a related scientific discipline and relevant drug discovery experience.
• Required Experience and Skills: Quantitative and translational pharmacology expertise with a solid understanding of key pharmacology principles and concepts including target occupancy, in vitro/in vivo correlation, PK/PD, translational biomarker, and methods for human dose projection.
• Proven record of success in driving in vivo pharmacology strategy and model/assay development.
• Strong expertise in cardiometabolic, renal, or respiratory models and a wide range of in vivo methodologies (physiological, surgical, etc.).
• Highly skilled in the design and execution of animal studies to evaluate target engagement, PK/PD, efficacy and safety profiles of drug candidates, with a range of in vivo and ex vivo techniques.
• Exceptional critical thinking and organizational skills and attention to details, with a proven ability to manage complex preclinical projects in a matrix environment.
• Strong teamwork and stakeholder management skills with a track record of building productive cross-functional partnerships and influencing without direct authority.
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation communication skills, with the ability to effectively communicate complex scientific, technical, and business information to audiences, including senior leadership.
• Strong work ethic and flexibility, able to respond quickly to shifting priorities and multitasking needs.
• Must be willing to work onsite five days per week.

Preferred Experience and Skills

• Experience as pharmacology lead or representative on cross-functional project teams.
• Experience with in vivo imaging techniques (ultrasound, MRI, optical imaging, etc.).
• Prior experience working with multiple therapeutic modalities (small molecule, peptide, biologic, etc.).

Required Skills

• Assay Development
• Cardiometabolic
• Drug Discovery Research
• Drug Research
• In Vivo Models
• In Vivo Pharmacology
• Model Development
• Pharmacology
• Program Leadership
• Renal Medicine
• Respiratory Pharmacology
• Strategic Thinking
• Translational Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics (PKPD)

Our company is committed to inclusion, ensuring that candidates can engage in a hiring process that exhibits their true capabilities.

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 characteristics.

As 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: EEOC Know Your Rights EEOC GINA Supplement

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 another's thinking and approach problems collectively. Learn more about your rights, including under California, Colorado and other US State Acts

The salary range for this role is $159,600.00 - $251,200.00. 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

US and Puerto Rico Residents Only:

Employee Status

Regular

Relocation

Domestic/International

VISA Sponsorship

Yes

Travel Requirements

10%

Flexible Work Arrangements

Not Applicable

Shift

1st - Day

Valid Driving License

No

Hazardous Material(s)

N/A

Job Posting End Date

10/31/2026

Our company is a global health care leader with a diversified portfolio of prescription medicines, vaccines and animal health products. The difference between potential and achievement lies in the spark that fuels innovation and inventiveness; this is the space where we have codified our legacy for over a century. Our success is backed by ethical integrity, forward momentum, and an inspiring mission to achieve new milestones in global healthcare.