Principal Scientist (Director), Translational Medicine - Cardiovascular

Merck; South San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 260,000 - 410,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) retirement benefits

Job summary

Merck & Co., Inc. seeks a Principal Scientist (Clinical Director) for Translational Medicine, focusing on cardiovascular disease.

Lead early clinical development strategy across Phases I–IV, collaborate with Discovery Sciences and late-stage Clinical Research, and guide biomarker-driven programs with cross-functional partners worldwide. The candidate should have MD or MD/PhD with a strong translational research background, excellent communication, and a track record of scientific leadership in

Qualifications

• Proven track record in clinical medicine or clinical research.
• Publications or presentations in biomedical field.

Responsibilities

• Lead early development strategy for novel therapeutics (Phase 1–IV).
• Develop and execute clinical pharmacology plans for programs.
• Validate clinical platforms using biomarkers and imaging.
• Provide clinical expertise for target validation and pharmacology experiments.
• Ensure safe and timely execution of Phase I studies with cross-functional teams.
• Support worldwide regulatory filings and submissions.

Skills

Cardiology

Cardiovascular Medicine

Clinical Trials

Nephrology

Scientific Research

Translational Medicine

Translational Research

Education

MD or MD/PhD

Job description

Job Description

Description of Position

Translational Medicine is responsible for early clinical development of novel therapeutics, working in close collaboration with Discovery Sciences and late-stage Clinical Research. We work with all therapeutic areas within our Research Division with the role focused on Cardiovascular Disease and related conditions. The Principal Scientist (Clinical Director) must have a strong background in basic and/or clinical translational research and a desire to work collaboratively across different therapeutic areas.

Translational Medicine is specifically responsible for:

• Leadership of the early clinical development strategy for novel therapy programs from Preclinical Candidate approval through Clinical Pharmacology testing (Phase 1), and clinical Proof-of-Concept (Phase 2).

• Development of biomarker strategies through cross-functional teams that provide line-of-sight from First-in-Human studies through clinical Proof-of-Concept. This includes Experimental Medicine studies to establish and/or validate biomarker platforms.

• Contributing to the identification of novel targets by partnering with discovery research teams to bring a clinical perspective into the earliest stages of target identification and validation, and executing clinical studies to evaluate the relevance of potential targets to human disease in order to justify investment in clinical development programs.

• Development and execution of clinical pharmacology strategies to support later stages of development from Proof-of-Concept (Phase 2) through worldwide marketing application.

Success depends on the integrity, knowledge, imagination, creativity, skill and teamwork of the people in the group. To this end, we strive to create an environment of mutual respect, encouragement, and teamwork. As part of the global team, you will collaborate with talented and dedicated colleagues in Translational Medicine, as well as Discovery Sciences and late-stage Clinical Research while developing and expanding your career.

Primary responsibilities include the following:

• Key member of an early development team, providing leadership in designing and executing early clinical development strategy.

• Development and execution of early clinical strategy for novel therapeutics including authoring initial clinical and biomarker plans for Lead Optimization programs, early clinical development plans for Preclinical Candidate molecules, and clinical pharmacology studies for programs in Phases I through IV of development.

• Development and execution of studies to validate clinical platforms utilizing established and novel biomarkers, including imaging, electrophysiological and behavioral responses to interrogate biological activity in humans.

• Provide clinical expertise for identification and validation of novel targets, including the design of preclinical and/or clinical pharmacology experiments to validate targets and/or pathways.

• Safe and timely execution of Phase I studies; close collaboration with internal and external clinical study support staff and scientists (including discovery research, biostatistics, drug metabolism, modeling and simulation, regulatory affairs, and global clinical trials operations).

• Provide clinical pharmacology support for programs through the worldwide marketing application filing including supportive registration documents and presentations.

• Provide clear, timely communication and interpretation of study results to therapeutic area governance, functional area experts and development review committees.

• Contribute to assessment of internal and external opportunities identified by Business Development and Licensing.

• Interface broadly with key functions including Discovery Sciences, Preclinical Pharmacology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Toxicology, Translational Biomarkers, Translational Medicine Operations, Translational Medicine-EU, Drug Metabolism/Modeling & Simulation, Regulatory Affairs, and late-stage Clinical Research throughout research sites around the world.

Education:

MD or MD/PhD

Required:

• Proven track record in clinical medicine or clinical research, and background in biomedical research.

• Demonstrated record of scientific scholarship and achievement including publications or presentations. The particular clinical or scientific background is less important than having a track record of excellence and a willingness to work collaboratively across different therapeutic areas.

• Strong interpersonal, writing and presentation skills, as well as the ability to function in a team environment are essential.

Preferred:

• Clinical Board Certification or Eligibility. Subspeciality Clinical and Research experience in Cardiology or a related subspeciality (e.g. nephrology, pulmonary) is preferred but not required.

• Prior experience in translational research and/or early clinical development preferred but not required.

• Proven track record in clinical care of patient populations or management of clinical problem-solving

Required Skills:

Cardiology, Cardiovascular Medicine, Clinical Trials, Nephrology, Scientific Research, Translational Medicine, Translational Research

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.

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

VISA Sponsorship:

No

Travel Requirements:

10%

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Hybrid

Shift:

Not Indicated

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

n/a

Job Posting End Date:

10/8/2026

Requisition ID:

R416039

The salary range for this role is

$260,300.00 - $409,700.00

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 .

***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.