Director (Principal Scientist), Clinical Research, Respiratory
Merck
August 07, 2026
Remote friendly (Rahway, NJ)
United States
Clinical Research and Development
The Clinical Director (Principal Scientist) plans and directs clinical research activities for cardiovascular and respiratory medicines across clinical development phases. May manage the full cycle of clinical development, including study design, initiation, execution, monitoring, analysis, regulatory reporting, and publication.
Responsibilities
- Plan clinical trials based on clinical development strategy.
- Provide medical oversight and overall conduct of ongoing/new clinical trials.
- Analyze and summarize clinical findings to support safety/efficacy decisions, new drug applications, clinical study reports, and publications.
- Participate in internal and joint internal/external research teams for new compounds and further study of marketed compounds.
- Support business development assessments of external opportunities.
- Engage cross-functionally to support study execution and manage clinical development projects.
- Provide internal/external expert scientific input.
- Maintain scientific knowledge through awareness of new findings/methodologies, identify investigators, establish communications, and attend scientific meetings.
- Author development documents, presentations, budgets, and position papers; facilitate global collaborations; travel ~20% to manage clinical research projects.
Education
- M.D. or M.D./Ph.D.
Required experience/skills
- Industry or senior faculty in academia experience.
- 3+ years clinical medicine experience.
- 1+ year industry drug development experience (or biomedical research in academia).
- Record of scientific scholarship; strong interpersonal skills; strong verbal/written communication and presentation skills.
Preferred
- Board Certified/Eligible in Pulmonology or Cardiology (or related); pediatric/adult care preference; prior clinical research experience and publication.
Required skills
- Cardiology, Clinical Development, Clinical Research, Clinical Trials, Cross-Functional Teamwork, Early Clinical Development, Intellectual Curiosity, Pulmonology.
Preferred skills
- Cardiovascular Diseases, Clinical Studies.
Benefits (if applicable)
- Comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, retirement (401(k)), paid holidays, vacation, and compassionate/sick days.
Application
- Apply at https://jobs.merck.com/us/en (or Workday Jobs Hub for current employees).
Responsibilities
- Plan clinical trials based on clinical development strategy.
- Provide medical oversight and overall conduct of ongoing/new clinical trials.
- Analyze and summarize clinical findings to support safety/efficacy decisions, new drug applications, clinical study reports, and publications.
- Participate in internal and joint internal/external research teams for new compounds and further study of marketed compounds.
- Support business development assessments of external opportunities.
- Engage cross-functionally to support study execution and manage clinical development projects.
- Provide internal/external expert scientific input.
- Maintain scientific knowledge through awareness of new findings/methodologies, identify investigators, establish communications, and attend scientific meetings.
- Author development documents, presentations, budgets, and position papers; facilitate global collaborations; travel ~20% to manage clinical research projects.
Education
- M.D. or M.D./Ph.D.
Required experience/skills
- Industry or senior faculty in academia experience.
- 3+ years clinical medicine experience.
- 1+ year industry drug development experience (or biomedical research in academia).
- Record of scientific scholarship; strong interpersonal skills; strong verbal/written communication and presentation skills.
Preferred
- Board Certified/Eligible in Pulmonology or Cardiology (or related); pediatric/adult care preference; prior clinical research experience and publication.
Required skills
- Cardiology, Clinical Development, Clinical Research, Clinical Trials, Cross-Functional Teamwork, Early Clinical Development, Intellectual Curiosity, Pulmonology.
Preferred skills
- Cardiovascular Diseases, Clinical Studies.
Benefits (if applicable)
- Comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, retirement (401(k)), paid holidays, vacation, and compassionate/sick days.
Application
- Apply at https://jobs.merck.com/us/en (or Workday Jobs Hub for current employees).