Senior Scientist, Toxicology

MSD; West Point (PA); On-site; USD 106,000 - 167,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) retirement plan

Paid time off

Job summary

MSD in the United States (PA, West Point) seeks a PhD-level toxicologist to lead and monitor general toxicology studies (GLP and non-GLP). You will design, supervise, and interpret in vivo studies, coordinating cross-functional teams to define safety profiles for drug candidates.

A potential path toward broader nonclinical leadership is available. Responsibilities include regulatory submissions support, data integration, and collaboration with cross-functional staff to ensure high-quality,

Qualifications

• PhD in toxicology, pharmacology, pharmaceutical sciences, or related scientific discipline.
• Strong interest in collaborating with cross‑functional teams and communicating openly and often with colleagues.
• Strong listening and leadership skills.
• Ability to communicate clearly using verbal and written formats, including presentations.
• Preferred GLP Study Director experience.
• Familiarity with outsourced study monitoring.
• Familiarity with ICH safety guidelines.
• #EligibleforERP

Responsibilities

• Serve as the single point of control (Study Director) on assigned acute through chronic general toxicology studies across all modalities.
• Interact with technical, veterinary, and scientific staff to ensure that the study is in compliance with the protocol, amendments, Standard Operating Procedures, regulations, safety guidelines, and company policies and procedures.
• Critically analyze and interpret data.
• Integrate data from other areas (e.g., clinical pathology, pathology, toxicokinetics) in written reports used for regulatory submissions, and communicate results within established timelines.
• Ensure regulatory rigor, proactive risk identification, and timely study execution.
• Build strong collaborative relationships and influence without authority, contributing to an inclusive team environment.
• Deliver high-quality results with accountability and agility, translating objectives into action while continuously improving, embracing change, and demonstrating leadership.
• As needed, lead and/or participate in method development, inter-group initiatives, and various related scientific projects.

Skills

Animal Handling

CROs

Data Evaluation

Detail-Oriented

Experimentation

Exploratory Research

Good Laboratory Practices (GLPs)

In Vivo Models

Laboratory Research

Pre-Clinical Developments

Report Preparation

Situational Leadership

Study Directing

Study Monitoring

Timeline Management

Toxicological Risk Assessment

Toxicology

Education

PhD in toxicology, pharmacology, pharmaceutical sciences, or related scientific discipline

Job description

Job Description Job Description The Nonclinical Drug Safety department is seeking a motivated and talented toxicologist to conduct and/or monitor toxicity studies (GLP and non-GLP) as a Study Director or Study Monitor. Toxicologists at our Company are integral members and leaders of collaborative cross functional scientific teams, addressing challenges from early discovery to late development. Our toxicologists provide scientific leadership in the design and overall conduct of in vivo studies and integrate the findings from all contributing scientists into reports that characterize the safety profile of drug candidates. The individual also will possess the attributes and interest to expand their career toward a broader strategic Nonclinical Drug Safety role. This could include development toward future opportunities as the nonclinical safety lead on discovery or clinical development programs.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the single point of control (Study Director) on assigned acute through chronic general toxicology studies across all modalities.
• Interact with technical, veterinary, and scientific staff to ensure that the study is in compliance with the protocol, amendments, Standard Operating Procedures, regulations, safety guidelines, and company policies and procedures.
• Critically analyze and interpret data.
• Integrate data from other areas (e.g., clinical pathology, pathology, toxicokinetics) in written reports used for regulatory submissions, and communicate results within established timelines.
• Ensure regulatory rigor, proactive risk identification, and timely study execution.
• Build strong collaborative relationships and influence without authority, contributing to an inclusive team environment.
• Deliver high-quality results with accountability and agility, translating objectives into action while continuously improving, embracing change, and demonstrating leadership.
• As needed, lead and/or participate in method development, inter-group initiatives, and various related scientific projects.

Education

PhD in toxicology, pharmacology, pharmaceutical sciences, or related scientific discipline.

Requirements

• Strong interest in collaborating with cross‑functional teams and communicating openly and often with colleagues.
• Strong listening and leadership skills.
• Ability to communicate clearly using verbal and written formats, including presentations.
• Preferred GLP Study Director experience.
• Familiarity with outsourced study monitoring.
• Demonstrated understanding of Good Laboratory Practices (US FDA 21 CFR Part 58).
• Familiarity with ICH safety guidelines.
• #EligibleforERP

Required Skills

• Animal Handling
• Contract Research Organizations (CROs)
• Data Evaluation
• Detail‑Oriented
• Experimentation
• Exploratory Research
• Good Laboratory Practices (GLPs)
• In Vivo Models
• Laboratory Research
• Pre‑Clinical Developments
• Report Preparation
• Situational Leadership
• Study Directing
• Study Monitoring
• Timeline Management
• Toxicological Risk Assessment
• Toxicology

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.

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

Location & Salary

The primary location for this posting is: USA - Pennsylvania - West Point

Where required by law, the compensation range for this role is provided below. The salary range for the primary location of this role is: $106,200.00 - $167,200.00. 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.

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.

Additional Locations 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.

Employment Details

Employee Status: Regular
Relocation: Domestic
VISA Sponsorship: No
Travel Requirements: 10%
Flexible Work Arrangements: Not Applicable
Shift: Not Indicated
Valid Driving License: No
Hazardous Material(s): OEB4, bloodborne pathogens, beta lactam, standard lab reagents

Application Deadline

Job Posting End Date: 10/27/2026 *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.

About the Company

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.