Translational Medicine Lead for Infectious Diseases

Merck; South San Francisco (CA); Hybrid; USD 260,000 - 410,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision coverage

401(k) retirement benefits

Paid holidays

Vacation

Job summary

Merck’s Translational Medicine group in Infectious Diseases seeks a Principal Scientist (Clinical Director) to lead early clinical development programs from preclinical through Phase 2, integrating target validation with clinical pharmacology and biomarker strategies.

The role partners with discovery, pharmacology, toxicology, regulatory affairs, and global trials teams. An MD or MD/PhD is required, with hybrid work arrangements and global responsibilities.

Qualifications

• Strong background in basic or clinical translational research.
• Experience leading early clinical development strategy from preclinical through Phase 2.
• Ability to collaborate with discovery sciences, pharmacology, toxicology and regulatory affairs.

Responsibilities

• Lead early clinical development strategy for novel programs from preclinical through Phase 2.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to advance new therapeutics to human studies.
• Design and execute clinical pharmacology studies across all development stages (I–IV).
• Develop and execute biomarker strategies to support Proof-of-Concept and regulatory filings.
• Engage with external scientific community and internal partners for partnerships.

Skills

Clinical Research

Early Clinical Development

Infectious Disease

Translational Medicine

Education

MD or MD/PhD

Job description

Merck’s Translational Medicine group in Infectious Diseases seeks a Principal Scientist (Clinical Director) to lead early clinical development programs from preclinical through Phase 2, integrating target validation with clinical pharmacology and biomarker strategies.

The role partners with discovery, pharmacology, toxicology, regulatory affairs, and global trials teams. An MD or MD/PhD is required, with hybrid work arrangements and global responsibilities.