Clinical Director, Clinical Research, Ophthalmology
Merck
June 25, 2026
Remote
United States
Clinical Research and Development
Job Responsibilities:
- Plan clinical trials (designing and collaborating on operational plans) aligned to clinical development strategy.
- Provide medical oversight and ensure conduct of ongoing or new clinical trials for investigational or marketed ophthalmology drugs.
- Analyze and summarize clinical findings to support safety/efficacy decisions, NDAs/MAAs, clinical study reports, and publications.
- Participate in internal and joint internal/external research project teams for new compounds and further study of marketed compounds.
- Support business development assessments of external opportunities.
Additional Duties:
- Engage with cross-functional teams (commercialization, regulatory affairs, statistics, manufacturing) to manage clinical development projects.
- Ensure colleagues are informed of study progress for company and competitor drugs.
- Provide expert scientific opinion internally and externally.
- Maintain scientific knowledge by tracking new findings/methodologies, identifying strong investigators, building investigator relationships, and attending scientific meetings.
- Author development documents, presentations, budgets, and position papers; facilitate global collaborations.
Education:
- M.D. or M.D./Ph.D.
Required Experience/Skills:
- Industry or academic faculty experience.
- 3+ years clinical medicine experience.
- 1+ year industry ophthalmology drug development OR ophthalmology-focused academic biomedical research.
- Record of scientific scholarship; clinical medicine and biomedical research background.
- Strong interpersonal skills; teamwork.
- Strong verbal/written communication and presentation skills.
Preferred:
- Board Certified or Eligible in ophthalmology (or related discipline).
- Prior clinical research experience and prior publication.
Skills (examples): Biomedical Research, Clinical Development, Clinical Documentation/Investigations/Reporting, Clinical Trial Planning/Support, Cross-Functional Teamwork, Drug Development, Ethical Standards, Ophthalmology/Optometry, Regulatory Requirements, Research Methodologies, Scientific Publications.
Benefits (if applicable): Eligible for annual bonus and long-term incentive (if applicable); comprehensive benefits including medical/dental/vision, retirement (401(k)), paid holidays, vacation, and sick/compassionate days.
Application Instructions:
- Apply via https://jobs.merck.com/us/en (or Workday Jobs Hub for current employees). Application deadline is stated on the posting.
- Plan clinical trials (designing and collaborating on operational plans) aligned to clinical development strategy.
- Provide medical oversight and ensure conduct of ongoing or new clinical trials for investigational or marketed ophthalmology drugs.
- Analyze and summarize clinical findings to support safety/efficacy decisions, NDAs/MAAs, clinical study reports, and publications.
- Participate in internal and joint internal/external research project teams for new compounds and further study of marketed compounds.
- Support business development assessments of external opportunities.
Additional Duties:
- Engage with cross-functional teams (commercialization, regulatory affairs, statistics, manufacturing) to manage clinical development projects.
- Ensure colleagues are informed of study progress for company and competitor drugs.
- Provide expert scientific opinion internally and externally.
- Maintain scientific knowledge by tracking new findings/methodologies, identifying strong investigators, building investigator relationships, and attending scientific meetings.
- Author development documents, presentations, budgets, and position papers; facilitate global collaborations.
Education:
- M.D. or M.D./Ph.D.
Required Experience/Skills:
- Industry or academic faculty experience.
- 3+ years clinical medicine experience.
- 1+ year industry ophthalmology drug development OR ophthalmology-focused academic biomedical research.
- Record of scientific scholarship; clinical medicine and biomedical research background.
- Strong interpersonal skills; teamwork.
- Strong verbal/written communication and presentation skills.
Preferred:
- Board Certified or Eligible in ophthalmology (or related discipline).
- Prior clinical research experience and prior publication.
Skills (examples): Biomedical Research, Clinical Development, Clinical Documentation/Investigations/Reporting, Clinical Trial Planning/Support, Cross-Functional Teamwork, Drug Development, Ethical Standards, Ophthalmology/Optometry, Regulatory Requirements, Research Methodologies, Scientific Publications.
Benefits (if applicable): Eligible for annual bonus and long-term incentive (if applicable); comprehensive benefits including medical/dental/vision, retirement (401(k)), paid holidays, vacation, and sick/compassionate days.
Application Instructions:
- Apply via https://jobs.merck.com/us/en (or Workday Jobs Hub for current employees). Application deadline is stated on the posting.