Strategic Principal Scientist, Translational Biomarkers

Merck & Co.; Boston (MA); Hybrid; USD 191,000 - 300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Long-term incentive

Medical, dental, vision benefits

Job summary

Merck & Co. is seeking a Principal Scientist to provide strategic biomarker leadership across Cardiovascular & Metabolic and Infectious Diseases/Vaccines programs.

The role leads translational biomarker design, execution, analysis, and communication from early to late clinical development. The successful candidate develops decision-centric biomarker strategies integrating mechanism, biology, pharmacodynamics, patient heterogeneity, and precision medicine.

Qualifications

• Significant experience developing translational or clinical biomarker strategies in drug or vaccine development.
• Expertise in cardiovascular, metabolic, infectious diseases, vaccines, or immunology.
• Ability to translate hypotheses into biomarker strategies guiding clinical development.
• Strong grasp of MOA, disease biology, pharmacology, and endpoints.

Responsibilities

• Lead integrated biomarker strategies across CVM and ID/Vaccines programs with cross-functional teams.
• Translate biology and mechanism into translational hypotheses and fit-for-purpose biomarker approaches.
• Define how biomarkers inform proof of biology, target engagement, dose, and patient stratification.
• Ensure biomarker plans are focused, scalable, and linked to actions.
• Serve as biomarker representative on program teams and guide decision making.
• Collaborate with Discovery, Clinical Development, and Regulatory to build translational strategies.
• Interpret biomarker and clinical data, delivering clear, actionable recommendations.
• Identify disease heterogeneity and drivers of clinical outcomes for biomarker strategies.
• For infectious diseases, address host/pathogen biology and correlates of protection.
• For CV/metabolic programs, cover target engagement and pathway modulation.

Skills

Biomarkers

Cardiovascular Diseases

Clinical Development

Clinical Research

Clinical Study Design

Data Translation

Ethical Compliance

Ethical Standards

Immuno-Oncology

Mechanism of Action

Personalized Medicine

Pharmacodynamics

Scientific Presentations

Scientific Writing

Strategic Thinking

Translational Medicine

Education

Ph.D., M.D., or equivalent advanced scientific degree

Job description

Merck & Co. is seeking a Principal Scientist to provide strategic biomarker leadership across Cardiovascular & Metabolic and Infectious Diseases/Vaccines programs.

The role leads translational biomarker design, execution, analysis, and communication from early to late clinical development. The successful candidate develops decision-centric biomarker strategies integrating mechanism, biology, pharmacodynamics, patient heterogeneity, and precision medicine.