Senior Scientist, Study Manager - Atherosclerosis and Metabolism Clinical Operations
Merck
Summary
This position leads the operational planning and execution of one or more clinical trials or significant aspects thereof. In this position, you will have the opportunity to demonstrate your leadership and technical skills as part of a global, cross-functional team. You will apply project management, communication, and collaboration skills in support of our clinical trials.
Job description
Job Responsibilities
- Responsible for the operational planning, feasibility, and execution of a clinical trial.
- May serve as the clinical trial team lead.
- May lead team in key study planning, development, and execution elements (e.g., data management deliverables, trial level plans/timelines, country/site selection, site materials, system updates, investigator meeting planning, communication plans, preparation of status update reports, study close out activities).
- Leads team for timeline management, risk identification and mitigation, issue resolution.
- May facilitate and collaborate with key internal/external stakeholders (e.g., study team, country/site teams, vendors, committees) in support of clinical study objectives.
- Accountable for managing any study specific partners and/or vendors.
Core Skills
- Solid knowledge of clinical research regulatory requirements (e.g., Good Clinical Practice (GCP) and International Council for Harmonisation (ICH)).
- Ability to manage multiple competing priorities with good planning, time management and prioritization skills.
- Solid understanding of the principles of project planning & project management.
- Good analytical skills to drive operational milestones.
- Influence opinions and decisions of internal and external customers/vendors, across functional areas, and within the division.
- Interact with key stakeholders across department, division, and company.
- Role requires a proactive approach and leadership driving toward study goals.
- Applying leadership skills to processes, leading meetings, and influencing peers in a matrix environment.
- Problem solving, prioritization, conflict resolution, and critical thinking skills.
- Strong communication, writing, and presentation skills.
- Intermediate knowledge in Microsoft office or similar (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook, etc.).
Education/Experience
Bachelor's Degree and 5+ years of pharmaceutical, clinical drug development, project management, and/or medical field experience -OR- Master's Degree and 3+ years of pharmaceutical, clinical drug development, project management, and/or medical field experience -OR- PhD/PharmD Degree. Degree in life sciences, preferred.
Requirements
- Bachelor's Degree and 5+ years of pharmaceutical, clinical drug development, project management, and/or medical field experience, OR Master's Degree and 3+ years of such experience, OR PhD/PharmD Degree
- Degree in life sciences preferred
- Solid knowledge of clinical research regulatory requirements (GCP and ICH)
- Ability to manage multiple competing priorities with planning, time management and prioritization skills
- Solid understanding of principles of project planning & project management
- Good analytical skills to drive operational milestones
- Ability to influence opinions and decisions of internal and external customers/vendors across functional areas
- Ability to interact with key stakeholders across department, division, and company
- Proactive approach and leadership driving toward study goals
- Leadership skills to processes, leading meetings, and influencing peers in a matrix environment
- Problem solving, prioritization, conflict resolution, and critical thinking skills
- Strong communication, writing, and presentation skills
- Intermediate knowledge in Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook)
- Program Management
Benefits
- Medical, Dental & Vision
- Retirement Benefits
- 401(k)
- Paid Holidays
- Vacation
- Compassionate & 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.