Associate Principal Scientist, Clinical Research
Merck
September 03, 2026
Remote friendly (San Francisco, CA)
United States
Clinical Research and Development
Role Summary
- Plan and execute clinical-trial biomarkers across the pipeline, ensuring compliant, efficient biospecimen collection, assay execution, and data delivery. Drive operational excellence, data quality, and compliance across the biomarker assay project lifecycle.
Primary Activities (include, but not limited to)
- Collaborate with biomarker scientists and study teams to plan biomarker set-up and logistics.
- Serve as operational partner to Biomarker Leads to implement strategies advancing biomarker programs.
- Co-author biomarker-related sections of clinical study protocols.
- Define and manage specimen collection, handling, shipping, storage, and processing requirements.
- Develop vendor statements of work and data-transfer specifications; coordinate sample/assay logistics, issue resolution, and risk mitigation.
- Partner with Data Management to transfer biomarker data from external vendors into the clinical data repository.
- Design sample collection kits, laboratory manuals, and specimen logistics for third-party vendor shipments.
- Maintain partnerships with external biomarker vendors and internal teams.
- Identify and resolve conflicting stakeholder needs.
- Implement and continuously improve streamlined workflows to maximize efficiency and data quality.
Education
- Bachelor’s (≥8 years) or Master’s+ (≥5 years) in a scientific/technical field.
Required
- Demonstrated project management experience.
- Proven experience in drug discovery and/or clinical research.
- Ability to excel in fast-paced, evolving conditions and advocate for operational excellence.
- Excellent written/verbal communication; able to work independently in a collaborative matrix environment.
Preferred
- Experience with Microsoft Power BI, Power Automate, Copilot, or similar automation tools.
Required Skills
- Biobank, biomarker development/discovery/identification/qualification; clinical research; clinical trials operations; drug research; GCP; sample handling; translational medicine.
- Plan and execute clinical-trial biomarkers across the pipeline, ensuring compliant, efficient biospecimen collection, assay execution, and data delivery. Drive operational excellence, data quality, and compliance across the biomarker assay project lifecycle.
Primary Activities (include, but not limited to)
- Collaborate with biomarker scientists and study teams to plan biomarker set-up and logistics.
- Serve as operational partner to Biomarker Leads to implement strategies advancing biomarker programs.
- Co-author biomarker-related sections of clinical study protocols.
- Define and manage specimen collection, handling, shipping, storage, and processing requirements.
- Develop vendor statements of work and data-transfer specifications; coordinate sample/assay logistics, issue resolution, and risk mitigation.
- Partner with Data Management to transfer biomarker data from external vendors into the clinical data repository.
- Design sample collection kits, laboratory manuals, and specimen logistics for third-party vendor shipments.
- Maintain partnerships with external biomarker vendors and internal teams.
- Identify and resolve conflicting stakeholder needs.
- Implement and continuously improve streamlined workflows to maximize efficiency and data quality.
Education
- Bachelor’s (≥8 years) or Master’s+ (≥5 years) in a scientific/technical field.
Required
- Demonstrated project management experience.
- Proven experience in drug discovery and/or clinical research.
- Ability to excel in fast-paced, evolving conditions and advocate for operational excellence.
- Excellent written/verbal communication; able to work independently in a collaborative matrix environment.
Preferred
- Experience with Microsoft Power BI, Power Automate, Copilot, or similar automation tools.
Required Skills
- Biobank, biomarker development/discovery/identification/qualification; clinical research; clinical trials operations; drug research; GCP; sample handling; translational medicine.