Principal Scientist - Clinical Research, Immunology Biomarker Lead
Merck
Summary
We are seeking an accomplished and highly motivated Principal Scientist (Director) to serve as an Immunology Biomarker Lead within Translational Clinical Biomarkers. This role provides strategic and scientific leadership in the design, execution, analysis, and communication of clinical biomarker strategies in support of the immunology clinical development portfolio.
Job description
Primary Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership & Program Impact
- Lead and shape integrated biomarker strategies across discovery, early- and late-stage clinical programs, ensuring clear hypotheses, fit-for-purpose endpoints, and explicit linkage to key development decisions.
- Serve as the biomarker strategy lead within cross-functional program teams and represent multi-disciplinary teams in governance forums.
- Inform portfolio strategy by advancing biomarker-driven insights that inform target validation, patient selection, and go/no-go decisions.
- Translate disease biology and therapeutic mechanism of action into clinically actionable biomarker strategies.
- Drive selection and application of innovative biomarker approaches, aligned with biological rationale and clinical utility.
Cross-functional Leadership & Alignment
- Lead biomarker sub-teams and related working groups, including clinical, discovery, translational, regulatory, bio-stats, and data sciences.
- Collaborate effectively across disciplines to integrate diverse scientific perspectives into cohesive strategies.
- Provide scientific leadership to enable hypothesis-driven, decision-focused biomarker strategies.
Data Interpretation & Communication
- Champion biomarker analysis plans and provide critical scientific input to the interpretation of complex datasets.
- Clearly articulate insights to internal stakeholders, governance bodies, and external scientific audiences.
- Support external engagement, including publications, presentations, and KOL interactions.
Requirements
- PhD or MD in Immunology, Biology, or related STEM degree with 7+ years experience in Immunology
- MS with 10+ years of experience
- BS with 14+ years of experience
- Deep expertise in immunology and immune-mediated/inflammatory diseases
- Experience in at least one of: Rheumatology, Gastrointestinal/mucosal inflammation, Dermatology
- Proven track record of driving translational strategies that inform clinical development decisions
- Demonstrated ability to lead highly matrixed teams
- Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities
- Excellent communication skills
- Working knowledge with biostatistics, bioinformatics, and advanced data analytics
- Experience advancing precision medicine strategies
Benefits
- Medical, Dental & Vision
- 401(k) Matching
- Paid Holidays
- Vacation
- Sick Days
- Annual Bonus
- Long-Term Incentive
Company overview
Merck & Co., Inc., known as Merck in the United States and Canada and MSD (Merck Sharp & Dohme) internationally, is a premier American multinational pharmaceutical company headquartered in Rahway, New Jersey. Founded in 1891 as the U.S. subsidiary of the German Merck Group, the company became independent following World War I and has since grown into one of the world's largest biomedical companies, ranking fourth globally by revenue. Merck operates across three core business segments: pharmaceuticals, vaccines, and animal health products. The company is renowned for its groundbreaking research and development, having brought numerous life-saving medicines to market including Keytruda (pembrolizumab), a leading immunotherapy for cancer treatment that generated $29.5 billion in 2024 revenue, and Gardasil, a revolutionary HPV vaccine. With approximately 75,000 employees worldwide, Merck maintains a robust pipeline of innovative therapies focused on oncology, vaccines, hospital acute care, cardiology, neuroscience, virology, immunology, and diabetes. The company invests heavily in R&D, spending $17.9 billion in 2024 alone, demonstrating its commitment to advancing scientific discovery. Merck's legacy spans over 130 years of bringing hope to humanity through important medicines and vaccines, operating with a purpose to use leading-edge science to save and improve lives globally while fostering an inclusive workforce and responsible business practices.