Senior Principal Scientist Veterinary Pathologist Board Certified

MSD; West Point (PA); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

Merck & Co., Inc. is seeking an experienced anatomic pathologist to join our GLP-compliant nonclinical drug safety team at the West Point, PA site.

You will lead postmortem evaluations, guide toxicology studies, and collaborate with immunology and biologics programs to advance drug candidates. The role requires a DVM with ACVP/ECVP board certification or equivalent, and extensive experience in toxicologic pathology and drug development within biotech/pharma settings.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience as a veterinary pathologist.
• 7+ years of drug development experience in biotech, pharma, or CRO settings.

Responsibilities

• Lead toxicology and postmortem evaluations to characterize drug safety profiles.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define mechanisms of toxicity and risk mitigation strategies.
• Provide scientific leadership in study design, data interpretation and regulatory communications.

Skills

Academic Research

Histopathology

Immunochemistry

Drug Development

Education

Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM)

ACVP/ECVP residency

Job description

Job Description We aspire to be the premier research-intensive biopharmaceutical company with over 130-year history. We’re at the forefront of research to deliver innovative health solutions that advance the prevention and treatment of diseases in people and animals. Our success is driven by putting patients first, operating with the highest integrity, and committing fully to our vision to make a difference in the lives of people globally. With our varied pipeline of oncology, immunology, vaccines, biologics, small molecules, and newer modalities, we are at the forefront of research to advance the prevention and treatment of diseases such as cancer, cardiometabolic diseases, eye diseases, and infectious diseases.

Our Company's Research Laboratories nonclinical drug safety department at West Point, Pennsylvania site is seeking an experienced anatomic pathologist to join a highly collaborative team of scientists (12 anatomic pathologists, 3 clinical pathologists, and approximately 40 exceptional laboratory scientists), working at a GLP-compliant facility with state-of-the‑art anatomic, molecular and clinical pathology laboratories.

This role is intended for an accomplished Pathologist with proven toxicological pathology and drug development experience with preferably immunology and biologics expertise who operates as a recognized subject‑matter expert and influences strategy from early discovery through late‑stage development.

Our team works on a varied pipeline, participating in a wide variety of GLP‑toxicology study types, many of which are run in-house, in addition to early discovery and investigative studies.

Pathologists at our company are integral members and leaders of collaborative cross functional scientific teams, addressing challenges from early discoveries to late development.

Our Company’s pathologists provide scientific leadership in the design and conduct of postmortem evaluation of studies and integrate the interpretation of postmortem data into the safety profile of drug candidates.

Our Company's pathologists have a variety of opportunities to learn and grow as professional scientists and drug developers through daily study related activities and collaborative works with multiple program development teams.

Key responsibilities for this scientific role include:

• Employ both routine H&E evaluations as well as other specialized techniques to characterize the safety profile of new drugs from toxicology and investigative studies
• Work independently to analyze data, interpret and determine the significance of results for postmortem evaluations, review literature and design experiments to help teams solve scientific problems and advance programs
• Demonstrate scientific leadership with partnering broadly with toxicology, safety pharmacology, and translational teams to define mechanisms of toxicity, assess human relevance, and guide risk mitigation strategies for programs including immunology and biologics programs.
• Utilizing additional tools and applications that are all available on-site, including: An industry-leading suite of on-site in vitro and in vivo assay capabilities Access to robust historical controls slide archive and data base Digital Pathology Transmission electron microscopy Immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization Quantitative digital image analysis and targeted machine learning applications
• Contribute to developing novel biomarkers and predictive models to de-risk drug candidates for safety-related liabilities

Our Company's pathologists also serve as nonclinical drug safety department leads on drug development teams, overseeing the design and execution of studies, and generation of regulatory strategy and communications with global regulatory agencies to support the development of drug candidates

Our Company's pathologists work in a hybrid work environment and routinely interact with each other, share slides and opinions/experiences, and help each other learn and grow.

Required experience and skills:

• 10+ years of experience as a veterinary pathologist
• 7+ years of drug development experience in biotech, pharma, or CRO settings
• Love to collaborate with diverse cross‑functional teams and communicate openly and often with colleagues
• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM)
• Residency in anatomic / toxicologic pathology ACVP, ECVP-board certification or equivalent in anatomic pathology

Preferred experience and skills:

• Strong knowledge of drug discovery, development and regulatory processes, including experience on drug development project teams
• Experience in supporting immunology and biologics programs
• PhD in Immunology, Toxicology, Pathology, or related discipline
• Experience serving as pathology lead for programs, or external due diligence as lead or subject matter expertise.
• Strong scientific leadership beyond individual studies, demonstrated growth and enterprise mindset, including cross‑program influence and mentoring/management of other pathologists.

Required Skills:

• Academic Research
• Academic Research
• Assay Development
• Biopharmaceuticals
• Biotechnology
• Clinical Assays
• Clinical Data Interpretation
• Clinical Judgment
• Clinical Safety
• Collaborative Spirit
• Detail‑Oriented
• Drug Development
• Drug Discovery Research
• Drug Research
• Ethical Compliance
• Exercises Judgment
• Histopathology
• Immunochemistry
• Immunology Research
• Innovation
• In Vitro Research
• In Vivo Models
• Laboratory Processes
• Molecular Diagnostic Techniques
• Pathogenesis {+ 8 more}

Additional location(s): Please note the salary range above applies to the Primary Location of the position. Where a role has other listed locations, different compensation guidelines may apply. You may find the salary ranges for additional locations below. If the salary range is not listed for the location you are applying to, our Talent Acquisition team will provide further information to you relevant to your location.

Additional location(s) Compensation Information: 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/International VISA Sponsorship: Yes Travel Requirements: No Travel Required Flexible Work Arrangements: Hybrid Shift: Not Indicated Valid Driving License: No Hazardous Material(s): N/A

Job Posting End Date: 11/14/2026

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.