Director, Obesity and Metabolic Diseases

MSD; South San Francisco (CA); Hybrid; USD 214,100 - 337,000; Full time

Job summary

Merck & Co., Inc. in South San Francisco, CA, seeks a Director of Obesity and Metabolic Diseases to lead discovery research within the Cardiometabolic Disease (CMD) Department. You will drive strategies across human biology, translational science, data science, and new tech platforms to advance therapeutic opportunities.

The role requires a Ph.D./M.D. with 8+ years in obesity/diabetes and related areas, plus demonstrated leadership of multidisciplinary teams and collaboration across functions to

Qualifications

• Demonstrated track record in obesity/metabolic disease research and leadership.
• Experience guiding discovery programs from target identification through preclinical development.
• Strong collaboration across functions and external partners.

Responsibilities

• Lead discovery research in obesity and metabolic diseases aligned with CMD strategy, driving targets from identification to preclinical nomination.
• Provide scientific leadership for drug discovery programs, coordinating across chemistry, pharmacology, safety, translational medicine, biomarkers, and development functions.
• Identify novel opportunities by integrating human genetics, clinical data, biomarkers, and external landscape insights.
• Build and mentor a high-performing scientific team, fostering innovation, accountability, and talent development.
• Contribute to external collaborations, partnerships, and portfolio strategy; represent the team in scientific forums.

Skills

Biomarker Research

Diabetes Research

Metabolic Diseases

Metabolism

Obesity Research

People Leadership

Pharmacology

Strategic Leadership

Translational Research

Education

Ph.D./M.D.

Job description

## Director, Obesity and Metabolic DiseasesApplyremote type: Not Applicablelocations: USA - California - South San Francisco (Grand Ave)time type: Full timeposted on: Posted Todaytime left to apply: End Date: August 24, 2026 (30 days left to apply)job requisition id: R408755**Job Description**The Director, Obesity and Metabolic Diseases will provide scientific leadership and people management for discovery research in obesity and metabolic diseases within the Cardiometabolic Disease (CMD) Department at our Company's Research Laboratories in South San Francisco, California. The successful candidate will contribute to and execute scientific priorities within the department’s strategy by integrating advances in human biology, translational science, data science, and innovative technology platforms to identify and advance novel therapeutic opportunities. Working in a highly collaborative and multidisciplinary environment, this individual will lead a focused team of scientists, drive discovery programs from target identification through preclinical development, and contribute to a differentiated pipeline of medicines that address the unmet medical needs of patients living with obesity and related metabolic disorders.**Responsibilities:*** Lead discovery research in obesity and metabolic diseases, executing priorities aligned with CMD scientific strategy from target identification through preclinical candidate nomination by leveraging human biology, translational science, disease models, and emerging technologies to contribute to a differentiated portfolio.* Provide scientific leadership for drug discovery programs, partnering across chemistry, pharmacology, safety, translational medicine, biomarker, and development functions to inform program priorities, support decision making, and advance programs through key milestones.* Identify and advance novel therapeutic opportunities by integrating insights from human genetics, clinical research, biomarker science, and the external competitive landscape, while maintaining deep expertise in obesity, metabolism, and related therapeutic areas.* Lead a high-performing scientific team by fostering a culture of innovation, scientific rigor, collaboration, accountability, and continuous talent development.* Contribute to the evaluation of external innovation, business development opportunities, and partnership strategies that enhance the portfolio.* Represent the team through publications, presentations, due diligence activities, governance interactions, and cross-functional scientific forums, contributing to the broader cardiometabolic disease strategy.**QUALIFICATIONS:****Education:*** Ph.D., M.D., or Ph.D./M.D. in endocrinology, metabolism, physiology, pharmacology, biology or a related scientific discipline and a minimum of eight (8) years of experience in obesity, diabetes, MASH, or related therapeutic areas in academia and/or industry. Exceptional candidates from academia with a distinguished record of scientific achievement and research leadership are encouraged to apply, even without prior industry experience.**Required Experience and Skills:*** Demonstrated track record of scientific innovation, leadership of research programs, and contributions to basic and/or translational research efforts.* Deep expertise in metabolic disease biology and target validation, with a strong understanding of human genetics, biomarkers, and the integration of preclinical and clinical data to inform drug discovery decisions.* Proven success leading scientific teams and discovery initiatives in a matrix environment, with the ability to manage priorities, collaborate across functions, influence stakeholders, and deliver results.* Broad experience with in vitro and in vivo models of obesity and metabolic disease, as well as contemporary therapeutic modalities and innovative technologies relevant to drug discovery.* People leadership experience, including managing, coaching, and developing scientific teams, with a demonstrated ability to build and sustain a high-performing team, foster employee engagement, and develop talent through mentorship, performance management, and succession planning.* Strong communication, collaboration, and relationship-building skills, with the ability to effectively engage leaders, cross-functional partners, and external collaborators.**Required Leadership Competencies:*** Demonstrates strategic thinking and scientific judgment, translating complex data into clear decisions that advance program and team objectives.* Builds trust, alignment, and strong partnerships across functions by fostering an inclusive, collaborative, and high-performing culture.* Develops and empowers talent through effective coaching, mentorship, and succession planning, creating an environment where team members can excel.* Operates effectively in a matrix organization, influencing across functions while maintaining a strong focus on execution, innovation, and patient impact.* Demonstrates the highest standards of scientific integrity, ethics, diversity, and accountability, while championing excellence and continuous improvement.**Preferred Experience and Skills:*** Experience in pharmacology is highly desired, including the design, execution, and interpretation of in vitro and in vivo studies to support target validation, mechanism-of-action investigations, and therapeutic development.#EligibleforERP **Required Skills:**Biomarker Research, Diabetes Research, Metabolic Diseases, Metabolism, Obesity Research, People Leadership, Pharmacology, Strategic Leadership, Translational Research**Preferred Skills:**Current Employees apply HERECurrent 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 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 RightsEEOC GINA SupplementWe 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 ActsThe salary range for this role is$214,100.00 - $337,000.00This 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.You can apply for this role through https://jobs.merck.com/us/en (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:**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:**08/24/2026**\*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.**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.