Principal Scientist (Director), Translational Medicine - Infectious Diseases

Merck; Boston (MA); Hybrid; USD 260,000 - 410,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision benefits

401(k) retirement plan

Paid holidays

Vacation

Compassionate and sick days

Job summary

Merck is seeking a Principal Scientist (Clinical Director) in Translational Medicine/Early Clinical Development within Infectious Diseases. This leader will steer early clinical development from the preclinical stage through Phase 2 and integrate biomarker strategies with cross‑functional teams to enable Phase 3 trials.

A strong translational research background and MD or MD/PhD are required. The role involves collaboration across discovery sciences, pharmacology, toxicology, regulatory affairs,

Qualifications

• MD or MD/PhD with strong background in translational research or clinical translational science.
• Experience leading early clinical development strategies from preclinical through Phase 2.
• Proven ability to collaborate with discovery sciences, pharmacology, toxicology, and regulatory teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead early clinical development strategy for novel programs from preclinical stage through Phase 2 trials.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to advance therapeutics from preclinical to clinical development.
• Design and execute clinical pharmacology studies across all phases (I–IV) including DDI and special populations.
• Develop and implement biomarker strategies to support regulatory submissions and proof-of-concept.
• Engage with internal and external partners, thought leaders, and conferences to advance programs.

Skills

Clinical Research

Early Clinical Development

Infectious Disease

Translational Medicine

Education

MD or MD/PhD

Job description

Principal Scientist (Clinical Director) in Translational Medicine/Early Clinical Development in the Infectious Diseases Therapeutic Area

Translational Medicine at our Research Division is responsible for early clinical development of novel therapeutics, working in close collaboration with our discovery scientists and late‑stage clinical researchers. The Infectious Diseases Therapeutic Area specifically focuses on translational and clinical development of anti‑infectives, both for treatment and for prophylaxis indications. We are seeking a highly qualified individual for a position in our group. Candidates must have a strong background in basic and/or clinical translational research and a desire to work collaboratively with functional area partners across therapeutic areas and stages of development.

Translational Medicine Is Specifically Responsible For

• Contributing to the identification of novel targets by partnering with Discovery Sciences to bring a clinical perspective into the earliest stages of target identification and validation, and to execute clinical studies to evaluate the relevance of potential targets to human disease in order to justify full development.
• Leadership of the early clinical development strategy for novel therapeutic programs from the preclinical stage through Phase 1 studies of safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, to Phase 2 studies demonstrating Proof‑of‑Concept and enabling Phase 3 clinical trials.
• Development of biomarker strategies through cross‑functional teams that advance therapeutics from First‑in‑Human studies through clinical Proof‑of‑Concept. This includes experimental medicine studies to establish and/or validate biomarker platforms.
• Development and execution of clinical pharmacology strategies to support later stages of development, from Phase 3 through to worldwide regulatory applications.
• Success depends on the integrity, knowledge, imagination, creativity, skill, versatility and teamwork of the people in the group. To this end, we strive to create an environment of mutual respect, encouragement, and teamwork.

Education Requirements

• MD or MD/PhD

Primary Responsibilities For The Principal Scientist Include The Following

• Working with basic science teams on specific diseases and therapeutic areas, providing clinical expertise for identification and validation of novel targets, including the design of preclinical and clinical experiments to validate targets and/or pathways, and leveraging this work for development of novel therapeutics.
• Working with cross‑functional teams including discovery scientists, pharmacologists, toxicologists, and other specialists to advance novel therapeutics from preclinical development into clinical development.
• As a key member/leader of an early development team, working in close collaboration with internal and external staff and scientists (including discovery research, biostatistics, drug metabolism, modeling and simulation, regulatory affairs, and global clinical trials operations) for the design and execution of early clinical development strategy.
• Taking a lead role in developing and executing clinical pharmacology studies for programs in all phases (I – IV) of development, including formulation or device changes, drug‑drug interaction studies, and studies in special populations.
• Providing early phase/clinical pharmacology support for programs through the regulatory filing process including preparation of supportive documents and presentations.
• Developing and executing studies to validate established and novel clinical biomarkers, including blood/tissue sampling, imaging, electrophysiological, wearable devices, and behavioral responses to study biological activity in humans.
• Providing clinical and scientific expertise to assess internal and external opportunities for partnership.
• Engaging with the broader internal and external scientific community in disease or therapeutic areas of interest, including via consultations with scientific/academic thought leaders, preparation of posters and publications, and attendance/presentation at conferences.
• Working broadly with key functions across the company at research sites around the world.

Required Skills

Clinical Research, Early Clinical Development, Infectious Disease, Translational Medicine

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.

Position Details

Employee Status: Regular

Location: No relocation services offered.

Visa Sponsorship: No

Travel Requirements: 10%

Flexible Work Arrangements: Hybrid

Shift: Not Indicated

Valid Driving License: No

Hazardous Material(s): n/a

Salary

• $260,300.00 - $409,700.00

The successful candidate will be eligible for annual bonus and long‑term incentive, if applicable.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision healthcare and other insurance benefits (for employee and family)
• Retirement benefits, including 401(k)
• Paid holidays
• Vacation
• Compassionate and sick days

More information about benefits is available at https://jobs.merck.com/us/en/compensation-and-benefits.

Equal Opportunity

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.

Legal Notes

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.

Job Posting End Date

09/24/2026

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.

Requisition ID: R415168