Sr. Dir, Biology-Discovery

MSD Malaysia; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 194,100 - 305,600; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Long-term incentive

Comprehensive benefits package

Job summary

Merck in the United States seeks a Senior Director, Translational and Biomarker Lead to shape translational and biomarker strategy for immunology programs. You will oversee hypotheses-driven studies, integrate discovery biology with early development, and lead teams across internal and external collaborations.

The role involves mentoring multiple teams, driving portfolio opportunities, and aligning mechanistic data with clinical endpoints. Travel up to 10% and relocation support may apply.

Qualifications

• Extensive leadership experience in translational and biomarker programs.
• Experience coordinating data generation with computational scientists and external partners.
• Experience developing clinically relevant biomarkers for target engagement and pharmacodynamics.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a translational and biomarker research team.
• Advance opportunities to interrogate assets through in vitro systems, patient samples, and animal models.
• Guide design and execution of translational experiments and analyses for FIH/PoC readiness.
• Provide leadership for biomarker strategy across preclinical and clinical settings.
• Champion adoption of emerging technologies and modalities in immunological diseases.

Skills

Assay Development

Biochemical Assays

Immunoassays

Immunology

Education

Ph.D. in Immunology

Master’s in related field

Bachelor’s in related field

Job description

Overview

Senior Director, Translational and Biomarker Lead. We are seeking an exceptional scientific leader with deep expertise in immunology, translational science, and biomarker research to join our Discovery Immunology Team. This role will shape and oversee translational and biomarker strategy for immunology programs, integrating discovery insights, human biology, and early clinical development. The position involves leading 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 role requires strong people management skills to align priorities, develop talent, foster accountability, and integrate diverse scientific expertise in a collaborative, matrixed organization. The Senior Director will build and mentor teams capable of rigorous research and disciplined execution, interfacing with Discovery, Biomarkers, and Early Development to influence translational data generation from internal clinical studies and external collaborations. The individual will identify, manage, and execute research partnerships with academic investigators and CROs, focusing on patient sample acquisition, multi-omics data generation, and interpretation with Computational/Data Science partners.

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 in vitro systems, ex vivo studies using patient samples, and animal models, ensuring linkage among mechanism of action, disease biology, PK/PD, and translatable clinical endpoints.
• Oversee and guide the design and execution of translational experimental plans, analysis strategies, and forward- and reverse-translational studies in collaboration with internal teams and external partners, ensuring feasibility, fit-for-purpose approaches, and readiness for FIH/PoC studies aligned with early development 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, and T cell engagers.
• Maintain awareness of scientific developments 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, with at least seven (7) years of direct industry experience.
• Required Experience and Skills: Knowledge of immune-mediated diseases, understanding of molecular pathways driving disease, familiarity with relevant clinical trial results and competitive landscape in immunology and autoinflammation; experience ideating, establishing, and executing translational research strategies in immune diseases; experience coordinating data generation and interpretation with computational scientists; experience in discovery research and drug development in immunology focusing on autoimmune/inflammatory diseases; experience developing clinically relevant biomarkers for target engagement and pharmacodynamic measures; minimum of five years of direct management overseeing multiple teams with proven leadership.
• Strong awareness of safety and environmental requirements; ability to integrate with Translational Medicine, Clinical, CMC, Regulatory, Operations, and other functions; excellent communication, collaboration, and negotiation skills with senior leaders.

Skills

• Assay Development, Biochemical Assays, Immunoassays, Immunology
• Translational Research, Mechanism of Action Studies, In Vitro Studies
• High Performance Team Building, People Leadership, Cross-Cultural Awareness
• External Collaboration, Research Methodologies, Innovation

Additional Information

The company is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. We provide equal opportunities to all employees and applicants regardless of race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, or other protected characteristics. We comply with affirmative action requirements for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. Information about personal rights under U.S. EEO laws is available from EEOC. This position may require travel up to 10% and will be based in the normal business location for Merck. Relocation: Domestic. VISA Sponsorship: Yes.

Salary range: $194,100.00 - $305,600.00. The successful candidate will be eligible for annual bonus and long-term incentive, if applicable. We offer a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, 401(k), paid holidays, vacation, and other benefits. More information is available at the company careers site. Job posting end date: 08/07/2026.