Principal Scientist, Clinical Research, Thoracic Oncology

Merck; Upper Gwynedd Township (Montgomery County); Hybrid; USD 256,000 - 403,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) plan

Paid holidays

Vacation

Job summary

Merck is seeking a Clinical Director (Principal Scientist) to lead the planning and execution of clinical research for oncology medicines across all development phases. The role oversees study design, placement, monitoring, analysis, and regulatory reporting, contributing to publications and strategic decision-making.

You will work with a cross-functional team including regulatory, statistics, and manufacturing to advance clinical development programs and ensure scientific excellence throughout

Qualifications

• MD or MD/PhD with industry or academic experience.
• Demonstrated record of scientific scholarship and achievement.
• Proven track record in clinical medicine and biomedical research.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to function in a team environment.
• Board Certification in Oncology or Hematology preferred.
• Experience in clinical research and publications desirable.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate pre-clinical and translational work to inform development plans.
• Develop clinical development strategies for oncology drugs.
• Plan trials with designs and operational settings.
• Monitor and manage ongoing or new clinical trials.
• Analyze clinical findings to support safety and efficacy decisions.
• Participate in internal/external research teams.
• Oversee execution of studies with Clinical Scientists and daily medical monitoring.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams in regulatory, statistics and manufacturing.
• Assist leadership in communicating study progress and external scientific opinions.

Skills

Cancer Research

Clinical Development

Clinical Research

Clinical Studies

Clinical Trials

Medical Monitoring

Oncology

Education

MD or MD/PhD

Job description

Job Description

Our company is a global health care leader with a diversified portfolio of prescription medicines, vaccines and animal health products. Today, we are building a new kind of healthcare company - one that is ready to help create a healthier future for all of us. Our ability to excel depends on the integrity, knowledge, imagination, skill, and teamwork of an individual like you. To this end, we strive to create an environment of mutual respect, encouragement and teamwork. As part of our global team, you'll have the opportunity to collaborate with talented and dedicated colleagues while developing and expanding your career.

The Clinical Director (Principal Scientist) has primary responsibility for the planning and overseeing the execution of clinical research activities involving new or marketed Oncology medicines. Our company's Oncology medicines span all phases of clinical development (pre-clinical to post-licensure). The Clinical Director will manage the entire cycle of clinical development, including: study design, placement, monitoring, analysis, regulatory reporting, and publication.

Specifically, The Clinical Director May Be Responsible For

• Evaluating pre-clinical and translational work for the purpose of generating early clinical development plan and Investigational New Drug applications;
• Developing of clinical development strategies for investigational or marketed Oncology drugs;
• Planning clinical trials (design, operational plans, settings) based on these clinical development strategies;
• Monitoring and managing the conduct of ongoing or new clinical trials for investigational or marketed Oncology drugs;
• Analyzing and summarizing the clinical findings from studies to support decisions regarding safety and efficacy as well as new drug applications, clinical study reports, or publication; and
• Participation in internal and joint internal/external research project teams relevant to the development of new compounds, and the further study of marketed compounds.

In Executing These Duties, The Clinical Director May

• Oversee the execution of clinical studies by working closely with Clinical Scientists in daily medical monitoring activities;
• Work closely with a cross-functional group of experts in commercialization, regulatory affairs, statistics, and manufacturing to manage clinical development projects; and
• Assist the Senior/Executive Director in ensuring that appropriate corporate personnel are informed of the progress of studies of our competitors' drugs and internal and external expert opinion on scientific questions relevant to his/her areas of responsibility.

The Clinical Director is responsible for maintaining a strong scientific fund of knowledge by:

• Maintaining awareness of scientific developments within his/her area of expertise, in terms of new scientific findings, research methodologies;
• Identification of scientifically and operationally strong investigators who can assist in the development of our companies investigational and marketed drugs;
• Establishing communications with prominent clinical investigators in his/her particular field of interest, particularly those who will be willing and able to assist in the evaluation of our drugs; and
• Attend appropriate scientific meetings to maintain his or her competency and to maintain awareness of research activities in his/her area of responsibility.

Education

• M.D or M.D./Ph.D

Required

• Must have experience in industry or academia
• Demonstrated record of scientific scholarship and achievement;
• A proven track record in clinical medicine and background in biomedical research is essential
• Strong interpersonal skills, as well as the ability to function in a team environment are essential.

Preferred

• Board Certified or Eligible in Oncology (and/or Hematology)
• Prior specific experience in clinical research and prior publication is desirable but not necessary

Required Skills

Cancer Research, Clinical Development, Clinical Research, Clinical Studies, Clinical Trials, Medical Monitoring, Oncology

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.

Requirements

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:

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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

$255,800.00 - $402,700.00

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.

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

Employee Status

Regular

Flexible Work Arrangements

Hybrid

Job Posting End Date:

09/10/2026

• 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.

Requisition ID:R411952