Principal Scientist (Director), Translational Medicine - Infectious Diseases

MSD; South San Francisco (CA); Hybrid; USD 260,000 - 410,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

401(k) retirement plan

Paid holidays and vacation

Sick days and compassionate leave

Job summary

Merck & Co., Inc. is seeking a Principal Scientist (Clinical Director) in Translational Medicine for Infectious Diseases.

The role leads early clinical development strategy from preclinical stages to Phase 2, coordinating cross-functional teams and biomarker programs to support clinical proof-of-concept and subsequent Phase 3 work. The position requires an MD or MD/PhD with a strong translational research background and a track record in infectious diseases, with a hybrid work model across

Qualifications

• MD or MD/PhD with strong translational research background.
• Experience in infectious diseases translational/clinical development is required.
• Ability to lead cross-functional teams across therapeutic areas and stages of development.

Responsibilities

• Lead early clinical development strategy from preclinical stages through Phase 2.
• Oversee clinical pharmacology studies and biomarker strategies to enable later trials.
• Collaborate with discovery science, pharmacology, toxicology, regulatory, and global trials teams.

Skills

Clinical Research

Early Clinical Development

Infectious Disease

Translational Medicine

Education

MD or MD/PhD

Job description

## Principal Scientist (Director), Translational Medicine - Infectious DiseasesApply: Hybrid: USA - California - South San Francisco (Grand Ave): USA - Massachusetts - Boston (MA Parcel B Laboratory): USA - New Jersey - Rahway: USA - Pennsylvania - West Point: Full time: Posted Today: End Date: September 24, 2026 (22 days left to apply): R415168**Job Description**We have an exciting opportunity for a physician-scientist to join our group as a **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**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$260,300.00 - $409,700.00This 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:**No relocation**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:**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.**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.