Senior Scientist, Study Manager - Atherosclerosis and Metabolism Clinical Operations

Merck; Rahway (NJ); On-site; USD 117,000 - 184,000; Full time

Job summary

Merck in Rahway, NJ is seeking an experienced Clinical Trial Project Manager to oversee the operational planning, feasibility, and execution of clinical trials. The role may lead teams and drive key study planning, timelines, site selection, and vendor coordination.

Ideal candidates bring advanced knowledge of GCP/ICH and strong leadership in matrix environments, with excellent communication and problem-solving skills to deliver study milestones on time.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree with 5+ years of pharma/clinical drug development experience
• Master's Degree with 3+ years of pharma/clinical drug development experience
• PhD/PharmD degree also acceptable
• Life sciences degree preferred

Responsibilities

• Plan, feasibility and execution of a clinical trial.
• May serve as the clinical trial team lead.
• Lead study planning, development and execution elements including timelines and site selection.
• Lead timeline management, risk identification and mitigation.
• Collaborate with internal/external stakeholders (study team, country/site teams, vendors).
• Accountable for managing study partners and vendors.

Skills

Regulatory knowledge

Prioritization

Project management

Analytical skills

Stakeholder management

Leadership

Communication skills

MS Office

Program Management

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

PhD/PharmD

Life sciences degree preferred

Tools

Excel

PowerPoint

Word

Outlook

Job description

Job Description

Job Responsibilities:

• Responsible for the operational planning, feasibility, and execution of a clinical trial.
• May serve as the clinical trial team lead
• May lead team in key study planning, development, and execution elements (e.g., data management deliverables, trial level plans/timelines, country/site selection, site materials, system updates, investigator meeting planning, communication plans, preparation of status update reports, study close out activities).
• Leads team for timeline management, risk identification and mitigation, issue resolution.
• May facilitate and collaborate with key internal/external stakeholders (e.g., study team, country/site teams, vendors, committees) in support of clinical study objectives.
• Accountable for managing any study specific partners and/or vendors.

Core Skills:

• Solid knowledge of clinical research regulatory requirements (e.g., Good Clinical Practice (GCP) and International Council for Harmonisation (ICH)).
• Ability to manage multiple competing priorities with good planning, time management and prioritization skills.
• Solid understanding of the principles of project planning & project management.
• Good analytical skills to drive operational milestones.
• Influence opinions and decisions of internal and external customers/vendors, across functional areas, and within the division.
• Interact with key stakeholders across department, division, and company. Role requires a proactive approach and leadership driving toward study goals.
• Applying leadership skills to processes, leading meetings, and influencing peers in a matrix environment.
• Problem solving, prioritization, conflict resolution, and critical thinking skills.
• Strong communication, writing, and presentation skills.
• Intermediate knowledge in Microsoft office or similar (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook, etc.).

Education/Experience:

• Bachelor's Degree and 5+ years of pharmaceutical, clinical drug development, project management, and/or medical field experience
• -OR- Master's Degree and 3+ years of pharmaceutical, clinical drug development, project management, and/or medical field experience
• -OR- PhD/PharmD Degree
• Degree in life sciences, preferred

clinicaltrialjobs

Required Skills:

Program Management

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 (https://survey.sogosurvey.com/r/aCdfqL) 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 Rights (https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2022-10/22-088_EEOC_KnowYourRights_10_20.pdf)

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 (https://www.msdprivacy.com/us/en/CCPA-notice/)

The primary location for this posting is:

USA - New Jersey - Rahway

Where required by law, the compensation range for this role is provided below.

The salary range for the primary location of this role is:

$117,000.00 - $184,200.00

This range reflects the Company's reasonable expectation of the base salary applicable to this role at the time of 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 .

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:

No relocation

VISA Sponsorship:

No

Travel Requirements:

10%

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Not Applicable

Shift:

1st - Day

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

N/A

Job Posting End Date:

10/25/2026

***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:

R421913