Principal Scientist, Translational Medicine, Neuroscience
Merck
Summary
We have an exciting opportunity for a physician-scientist to join our group as a Principal Scientist (Clinical Director) in Translational Medicine/Early Clinical Development in the Neuroscience Therapeutic Area based in the US. Translational Medicine at our Research Division is responsible for early clinical development of novel therapeutics, working in close collaboration with our discovery scientists and late-stage clinical researchers.
Job description
Primary Responsibilities
- Working with basic science teams on specific diseases and therapeutic areas, providing clinical expertise for identification and validation of novel targets, including the design of preclinical and clinical experiments to validate targets and/or pathways
- Working with cross-functional teams including discovery scientists, pharmacologists, toxicologists, and other specialists to advance novel therapeutics from preclinical development into clinical development
- As a key member/leader of an early development team, working in close collaboration with internal and external staff and scientists for the design and execution of early clinical development strategy
- Taking a lead role in developing and executing clinical pharmacology studies for programs in all phases (I – IV) of development, including formulation or device changes, drug-drug interaction studies, and studies in special populations
- Providing early phase/clinical pharmacology support for programs through the regulatory filing process including preparation of supportive documents and presentations
- Developing and executing studies to validate established and novel clinical biomarkers, including blood/tissue sampling, imaging, electrophysiological, wearable devices, and behavioral responses
- Providing clinical and scientific expertise to assess internal and external opportunities for partnership
- Engaging with the broader internal and external scientific community in disease or therapeutic areas of interest, including consultations with scientific/academic thought leaders, preparation of posters and publications, and attendance/presentation at conferences
Translational Medicine Responsibilities
- Contributing to the identification of novel targets by partnering with Discovery Sciences to bring a clinical perspective into the earliest stages of target identification and validation
- Leadership of the early clinical development strategy for novel therapeutic programs from the preclinical stage through Phase 1 studies to Phase 2 studies demonstrating Proof-of-Concept and enabling Phase 3 clinical trials
- Development of biomarker strategies through cross-functional teams that advance therapeutics from First-in-Human studies through clinical Proof-of-Concept
- Development and execution of clinical pharmacology strategies to support later stages of development through to worldwide regulatory applications
Requirements
- Doctoral degree: MD or MD/PhD (or international equivalent) required
- Experience in biomedical research, with a demonstrated record of scientific scholarship and achievement including scientific publications
- Strong interpersonal, writing, and presentation skills
- Ability to function in a team environment
- Experience in clinical medicine including completion or anticipated completion of residency training
- Training and clinical board certification or eligibility in Neurology, Psychiatry or a related discipline preferred
- Experience as an academic faculty member preferred
- Prior experience in translational research and/or early clinical development helpful but not required
- Biomedical Research
- Clinical Development
- Clinical Medicine
- Clinical Research
- Clinical Trial Planning
- Cross-Functional Teamwork
- Neuroscience Research
- Neurologic Disorders
- Translational Research
- Early Clinical Development
- Neurodegenerative Diseases
- Neuroscience
- Translational Medicine
Benefits
- Medical, Dental & Vision
- Retirement Benefits
- 401(k)
- Paid Holidays
- Vacation
- Compassionate Leave
- 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.