Principal Scientist, Translational Medicine, Neuroscience

MSD Malaysia; West Point (PA); On-site; USD 256,000 - 403,000; Full time

Job summary

MSD Malaysia is seeking a Principal Scientist (Clinical Director) in Translational Medicine/Early Clinical Development for the Neuroscience therapeutic area in the US. The role requires a physician-scientist with neurology or psychiatry training and a strong translational research track record.

The successful candidate will lead cross‑functional early development activities, design and execute trials, and collaborate across discovery, pharmacology, regulatory, and clinical teams to advance

Qualifications

• MD or MD/PhD required.
• Experience in biomedical research with a track record of scholarship and publications.
• Preferred: training and board certification or eligibility in Neurology or Psychiatry.

Responsibilities

• Work with basic science teams to identify and validate targets and design preclinical/early clinical experiments.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to advance therapeutics from preclinical to clinical development.
• Lead early development strategy with internal/external staff across discovery, pharmacology, toxicology, regulatory affairs, and trials operations.
• Develop and execute clinical pharmacology studies across all phases (I–IV), including special populations and drug interactions.
• Provide biomarker strategy development and biomarker validation in humans using various modalities.
• Support collaborations and partnerships by providing clinical and scientific insights across programs.
• Engage with scientific community through publications, posters, and conferences.

Education

MD/PhD or MD

Job description

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 Neuroscience Therapeutic Area based in the US.

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 Neuroscience Therapeutic Area specifically focuses on diseases affecting the central and peripheral system.

We are seeking a highly qualified individual for a position in our group.

The ideal candidate for this position is a physician-scientist with training in neurology or psychiatry and an established track record of scientific achievement, who desires a career in developing therapies for neurologic and psychiatric disease.

Success depends on the integrity, knowledge, imagination, creativity, skill, unique strengths and teamwork of the people in the group.

To this end, we strive to create an environment of mutual respect, encouragement, and teamwork.

Candidates should have a strong background in basic, translational, and/or clinical research and a desire to work collaboratively across the organization between departments and therapeutic areas as part of a global team.

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

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 through to worldwide regulatory applications

Education:

Doctoral degree: MD or MD/PhD (or international equivalent) required

Required: Experience in biomedical research, with a demonstrated record of scientific scholarship and achievement including scientific publications. The specific 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. Experience in clinical medicine including completion or anticipated completion of residency training is required

Preferred: Training and clinical board certification or eligibility in Neurology, Psychiatry or a related discipline involving care of neurologic/psychiatric diseases is preferred. Experience as an academic faculty member is preferred. Prior experience in translational research and/or early clinical development is helpful but not required

Required Skills

• Biomedical Research
• Clinical Development
• Clinical Medicine
• Clinical Research
• Clinical Trial Planning
• Cross-Functional Teamwork
• Neuroscience Research
• Neurologic Disorders
• Translational Research

Required Skills

• Clinical Development
• Clinical Research
• Clinical Trial Planning
• Early Clinical Development
• Neurodegenerative Diseases
• Neurological Disorders
• Neuroscience
• Neuroscience Research
• Translational Medicine
• Translational Research

Equal Employment 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

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 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: 09/30/2026

*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.