Sr. Dir, Biology-Discovery

Merck & Co.; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 194,000 - 306,000; Full time

Job summary

Merck & Co. seeks a Senior Director, Translational and Biomarker Lead to shape translational and biomarker strategy for immunology programs.

You will guide mechanistic, preclinical, in vivo and biomarker studies, integrating discovery and early development insights while leading multiple teams in a matrixed organization. The role requires strong people management, collaboration with Clinical, Data Science, and Regulatory teams, and the ability to translate complex data into actionable

Qualifications

• Experience leading translational and biomarker programs in immunology.
• Proven track record shaping translational strategies and interfacing with discovery and early development.
• Experience managing multiple teams and fostering collaboration across functions.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor translational and biomarker research teams, setting scientific direction and portfolio priorities.
• Advance translational and biomarker studies linking mechanism, biology, PK/PD and clinical endpoints.
• Oversee experimental plans, analysis strategies and collaboration with internal/external partners for FIH/PoC readiness.
• Provide leadership for biomarker strategy across preclinical and clinical settings.
• Champion adoption of emerging technologies and modalities to target immune-driven diseases.
• Maintain awareness of scientific developments and enable informed portfolio decisions.
• Engage investigators and external partners for high-quality execution and collaboration.
• Prepare abstracts, presentations and manuscripts with the team.

Skills

People leadership

Translational research

Biomarker research

Immunology

Data interpretation

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree (with 20+ years) in Immunology/Cell Biology

Master's degree (with 18+ years) in Immunology/Cell Biology

PhD (with 10+ years) in Immunology/Cell Biology

Tools

In vitro systems

Ex vivo studies

Animal models

Biomarker assay development

Job description

Job Description

We are seeking an exceptional scientific leader with deep expertise in immunology, translational science, and biomarker research to join our Discovery Immunology Team. This individual will help advance our mission to discover and develop best‑in‑class medicines for patients with immune‑driven diseases.

The Senior Director, Translational and Biomarker Lead will shape and oversee translational and biomarker strategy for immunology programs, integrating discovery insights, human biology, and early clinical development. The role will guide hypothesis‑driven mechanistic, preclinical, in vivo, and biomarker studies, translating complex data into clear recommendations that inform decisions across the portfolio. As a leader of multiple teams, this individual must bring strong people management skills to align priorities, develop talent, foster accountability, and create an environment where diverse scientific expertise is effectively integrated. The Senior Director will build and mentor teams capable of rigorous research and disciplined execution in a highly collaborative, matrixed organization.

This strategic and highly visible role sits at the interface of Discovery, Biomarkers, and Early Development, with responsibility for influencing translational data generation from internal clinical studies and external collaborations. The individual will identify, manage, and execute research partnerships with academic investigators and CROs, with particular emphasis on patient sample acquisition, multi‑omics data generation, and interpretation in collaboration with computational and Data Science partners. Success in this role will require the ability to work effectively across functions, including with Clinical, Commercial, and Medical Affairs counterparts.

The ideal candidate will integrate data across disciplines to inform strategy, accelerate decision‑making, and advance immunology programs from discovery into development.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a high‑performing translational and biomarker research team, setting scientific direction, prioritizing portfolio opportunities, and fostering a collaborative, rigorous, and innovative culture.
• Drive the translational and biomarker research portfolio by identifying and advancing opportunities to interrogate assets through strategically structured experiments, including in vitro systems, ex vivo studies using selected patient samples, and animal models, ensuring clear linkage among mechanism of action, disease biology, PK/PD, and translatable clinical endpoints.
• Oversee and guide the team in the design and execution of translational experimental plans, analysis strategies, and forward- and reverse-translational research studies in collaboration with internal teams and external partners, ensuring operational feasibility, fit-for-purpose approaches, and readiness for FIH/PoC studies aligned with early development indication plans.
• Provide leadership for biomarker strategy implementation across preclinical and clinical settings in partnership with Discovery, Non-Clinical Drug Safety, Translational Medicine, and Data Science teams.
• Champion adoption of emerging technologies, platforms, and therapeutic modalities to enable discovery and prosecution of novel targets in immunological disease, including small molecules, peptides, biologics & T cell engagers
• Maintain and share awareness of scientific developments within the area of expertise, including new findings, research methodologies, novel platforms, and emerging modalities, to strengthen team capability and portfolio decision‑making.
• Engage scientific investigators, KOLs, and external partners to enable high-quality execution, scientific exchange, and strategic collaboration.
• Oversee and guide preparation of abstracts, presentations, and manuscripts for conferences and peer‑reviewed publications, ensuring scientific quality and appropriate team contributions.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's (with 20+ years), Master's (with 18+ years) or Ph.D. (with 10+ years) in Immunology, Cell Biology or related field and relevant immunology research experience, with at least seven (7) years of direct industry experience

Required Experience and Skills

• Knowledge and experience of immune‑mediated diseases including a strong understanding of molecular pathways driving disease and of relevant clinical trial results and competitive landscape in immunology and autoinflammation.
• Prior experience in ideating, establishing, and executing translational research strategies in immune diseases, including strategic fit, coordination of data generation and interpretation with computational scientists and other functions
• Prior experience shaping and executing in discovery research and drug development in the field of immunology with a focus on autoimmune/inflammatory diseases
• Experience developing clinically relevant biomarkers for target engagement and pharmacodynamic measures
• A minimum of five years of direct management experience overseeing multiple teams and proven leadership with the ability to align, motivate and empower team members and a demonstrated passion for team building and talent development
• Strong awareness of safety and environmental requirements
• A good understanding of integration and partnering necessary for pharmaceutical development with Translational Medicine, Clinical, CMC, Regulatory, Operations, and other functional areas
• Effective communication, collaboration, and negotiation skills with the ability to work with senior level managers in meeting venues that include multiple cross-functional representatives

Required Skills: Assay Development, Biochemical Assays, Business Development, External Collaboration, High Performance Team Building, High Throughput Drug Screening, Immunoassays, Immunology, Innovation, In Vitro Studies, Mechanism of Action Studies, Motivating Teams, People Leadership, Research Methodologies, Translational Research

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.

The primary location for this posting is:

USA - Massachusetts - Cambridge (320 Bent Street)

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

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

$194,100.00 - $305,600.00

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.

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:

Yes

Travel Requirements:

10%

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Not Applicable

Shift:

1st - Day

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

N/A

Job Posting End Date:

11/6/2026

*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:

R407896