Director, Discovery Chemistry
Merck
August 14, 2026
On-site
South San Francisco, CA
Clinical Research and Development
Responsibilities:
- Leverage people leadership to grow and develop a team of scientists; foster curiosity, guide career paths, and promote continuous learning in an inclusive environment.
- Lead bioconjugate drug discovery projects: drive high-impact drug-conjugates programs across multiple therapeutic areas; collaborate with cross-functional, multidisciplinary teams to achieve milestones.
- Contribute to scientific strategy by applying bioconjugate chemistry expertise; stay informed on industry trends; identify biological targets, technologies, and research approaches; provide data-driven recommendations.
- Influence internal and external scientific community: leverage network to foster collaborations; participate in conferences and scientific forums; establish strategic alliances.
- Lead and develop scientific talent: build, lead, and develop high-performing scientists/teams; coach, mentor, manage performance, and plan succession; promote innovation, collaboration, debate, and shared ownership.
Qualifications:
- Education: Bachelor’s (13+ years), Master’s (9+ years), or Ph.D. (7+ years) in chemistry or related field with relevant drug discovery industry experience.
- Required experience/skills: bioconjugate chemistry; linker and payload design; leading drug discovery projects; complex problem-solving and ability to influence strategy across organizational boundaries; strong leadership/communication/collaboration; track record influencing teams and functions.
- Preferred: managerial experience training, developing, and mentoring medicinal chemistry and drug discovery talent.
Skills (required): Bioconjugation, Chemistry, Drug Discovery Research, Leadership, Medicinal Chemistry, Project Leadership, Strategic Thinking, Synthetic Chemistry.
Application:
- Apply via https://jobs.merck.com/us/en (or Workday Jobs Hub).
- Application deadline: stated on the posting.
- Leverage people leadership to grow and develop a team of scientists; foster curiosity, guide career paths, and promote continuous learning in an inclusive environment.
- Lead bioconjugate drug discovery projects: drive high-impact drug-conjugates programs across multiple therapeutic areas; collaborate with cross-functional, multidisciplinary teams to achieve milestones.
- Contribute to scientific strategy by applying bioconjugate chemistry expertise; stay informed on industry trends; identify biological targets, technologies, and research approaches; provide data-driven recommendations.
- Influence internal and external scientific community: leverage network to foster collaborations; participate in conferences and scientific forums; establish strategic alliances.
- Lead and develop scientific talent: build, lead, and develop high-performing scientists/teams; coach, mentor, manage performance, and plan succession; promote innovation, collaboration, debate, and shared ownership.
Qualifications:
- Education: Bachelor’s (13+ years), Master’s (9+ years), or Ph.D. (7+ years) in chemistry or related field with relevant drug discovery industry experience.
- Required experience/skills: bioconjugate chemistry; linker and payload design; leading drug discovery projects; complex problem-solving and ability to influence strategy across organizational boundaries; strong leadership/communication/collaboration; track record influencing teams and functions.
- Preferred: managerial experience training, developing, and mentoring medicinal chemistry and drug discovery talent.
Skills (required): Bioconjugation, Chemistry, Drug Discovery Research, Leadership, Medicinal Chemistry, Project Leadership, Strategic Thinking, Synthetic Chemistry.
Application:
- Apply via https://jobs.merck.com/us/en (or Workday Jobs Hub).
- Application deadline: stated on the posting.