Clinical Director, Clinical Research, Ophthalmology
Merck
June 25, 2026
Remote
United States
Clinical Research and Development
Job Summary
Clinical Director (Principal Scientist) plans and directs clinical research activities in ophthalmology for new or marketed medicines across all phases of development.
Job Responsibilities
- Plan clinical trials based on the clinical development strategy (including operational plans)
- Provide medical oversight and ensure conduct of ongoing or new clinical trials for investigational or marketed drugs
- Analyze and summarize clinical findings to support safety/efficacy decisions and support regulatory filings, 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
The Clinical Director May
- Engage with cross-functional functional areas to support study execution
- Work with experts across commercialization, regulatory affairs, statistics, and manufacturing to manage clinical development projects
- Keep colleagues informed on progress of company and competitor drug studies
- Provide expert internal/external scientific opinions within scope
Scientific/Competency Activities
- Maintain awareness of scientific developments and research methodologies
- Identify strong investigators and establish communications with prominent clinical investigators
- Attend appropriate scientific meetings
- Author development documents, presentations, budgets, and position papers; facilitate global external collaborations
- Travel about 25% to manage future or ongoing clinical research projects
Education
- M.D. or M.D./Ph.D.
Required Experience and Skills
- Industry or faculty (academia) experience
- 3+ years clinical medicine experience
- 1+ year industry experience in ophthalmology drug development or biomedical research in ophthalmology academia
- Demonstrated scientific scholarship; proven clinical medicine and biomedical research background
- Strong interpersonal, teamwork, and communication/presentation skills
Preferred Experience and Skills
- Board Certified or Eligible in ophthalmology (or related discipline)
- Prior clinical research experience and prior publication
Required Skills
Biomedical Research, Clinical Development, Clinical Documentation, Clinical Investigations, Clinical Medicine, Clinical Reporting, Clinical Research, Clinical Trial Planning/Support, Clinical Trials, Cross-Functional Teamwork, Drug Development, Early Clinical Development, Ethical Standards, Ophthalmology, Optometry, Regulatory Requirements, Research Methodologies, Scientific Publications
Application
- Apply via https://jobs.merck.com/us/en (or Workday Jobs Hub for current employees). Deadline is stated on the posting.
Clinical Director (Principal Scientist) plans and directs clinical research activities in ophthalmology for new or marketed medicines across all phases of development.
Job Responsibilities
- Plan clinical trials based on the clinical development strategy (including operational plans)
- Provide medical oversight and ensure conduct of ongoing or new clinical trials for investigational or marketed drugs
- Analyze and summarize clinical findings to support safety/efficacy decisions and support regulatory filings, 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
The Clinical Director May
- Engage with cross-functional functional areas to support study execution
- Work with experts across commercialization, regulatory affairs, statistics, and manufacturing to manage clinical development projects
- Keep colleagues informed on progress of company and competitor drug studies
- Provide expert internal/external scientific opinions within scope
Scientific/Competency Activities
- Maintain awareness of scientific developments and research methodologies
- Identify strong investigators and establish communications with prominent clinical investigators
- Attend appropriate scientific meetings
- Author development documents, presentations, budgets, and position papers; facilitate global external collaborations
- Travel about 25% to manage future or ongoing clinical research projects
Education
- M.D. or M.D./Ph.D.
Required Experience and Skills
- Industry or faculty (academia) experience
- 3+ years clinical medicine experience
- 1+ year industry experience in ophthalmology drug development or biomedical research in ophthalmology academia
- Demonstrated scientific scholarship; proven clinical medicine and biomedical research background
- Strong interpersonal, teamwork, and communication/presentation skills
Preferred Experience and Skills
- Board Certified or Eligible in ophthalmology (or related discipline)
- Prior clinical research experience and prior publication
Required Skills
Biomedical Research, Clinical Development, Clinical Documentation, Clinical Investigations, Clinical Medicine, Clinical Reporting, Clinical Research, Clinical Trial Planning/Support, Clinical Trials, Cross-Functional Teamwork, Drug Development, Early Clinical Development, Ethical Standards, Ophthalmology, Optometry, Regulatory Requirements, Research Methodologies, Scientific Publications
Application
- Apply via https://jobs.merck.com/us/en (or Workday Jobs Hub for current employees). Deadline is stated on the posting.