Vaccine Clinical Science Director - Strategy & Leadership

Merck & Co.; Rahway (NJ); Hybrid; USD 210,000 - 331,000; Full time

Job summary

Merck & Co. in Rahway, NJ is seeking a Senior Director, Clinical Science, Vaccines to lead strategic clinical science across multiple studies and assets, shaping disease area strategy, and driving standardization and scientific excellence across the portfolio.

You will coach Clinical Scientists, partner with cross-functional teams, and contribute to governance discussions while ensuring high-quality data review, endpoints, and development planning in a matrix environment.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in Clinical Development, Clinical Science, clinical drug development, and related fields.
• Proven ability to provide Clinical Science leadership across multiple studies, programs, or assets.
• Deep therapeutic area expertise, including disease biology and clinically meaningful endpoints.
• Strong understanding of trial design and data interpretation.
• Experience contributing to disease area strategy and governance discussions.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic Clinical Science leadership across the disease area, including multiple studies, programs, and assets.
• Contribute to disease area strategy with input on opportunities, risks, and data.
• Partner with cross functional leaders to align activities with program goals.
• Advise on endpoints, biomarker strategy, and study design across development planning.
• Lead standardization of Scientific practices and governance within the portfolio.
• Collaborate with Clinical Operations, Regulatory, Biostatistics, Drug Safety, Translational Medicine, and Medical Affairs.
• Mentor Directors, Principal Scientists, and Clinical Scientists; foster accountability and inclusion.

Skills

Clinical Development

Clinical Research Management

Clinical Sciences

Data Quality

Ethical Standards

High Performance Team Building

Matrix Leadership

Matrix Management

Medical Monitoring

New Technology Integration

People Leadership

Pharmaceutical Industry

Regulatory Compliance

Therapeutic Knowledge

Vaccinations

Data Interpretations

Next Generation Science Standards

Study Design

Education

PhD, PharmD or equivalent

Master's degree in life sciences

Bachelor's degree in life sciences

Job description

Merck & Co. in Rahway, NJ is seeking a Senior Director, Clinical Science, Vaccines to lead strategic clinical science across multiple studies and assets, shaping disease area strategy, and driving standardization and scientific excellence across the portfolio.

You will coach Clinical Scientists, partner with cross-functional teams, and contribute to governance discussions while ensuring high-quality data review, endpoints, and development planning in a matrix environment.