Executive Director (Distinguished Scientist), Clinical Research, Atherosclerosis
Merck
August 26, 2026
Remote friendly (Rahway, NJ)
United States
Clinical Research and Development
Responsibilities:
- Plan and direct clinical research for new or marketed medicines in Atherosclerosis.
- Manage late-stage clinical development lifecycle (Phase 2 to Phase V): strategy/design, protocol authoring, initiation, execution, monitoring, analysis, regulatory reporting, publication, and presentation.
- Lead cross-functional product development teams and provide scientific leadership supporting clinical trials; interact with key opinion leaders.
- Evaluate pre-clinical/translational work for early clinical plans and IND applications.
- Develop clinical development strategies and plan clinical trials (design, operations, settings).
- Monitor/manage conduct of clinical trials.
- Analyze/summarize clinical findings to support safety/efficacy decisions and regulatory filings/publications.
- Support business development assessments; manage other directors/senior directors for Atherosclerosis clinical development.
- Maintain scientific knowledge; author/oversee development documents and support collaborations.
- Travel ~20% to manage clinical research.
Qualifications:
- M.D. or M.D./Ph.D.
- Required: 3+ years clinical medicine; 5+ years focused clinical development with oversight of studies/protocols and experience authoring regulatory documents and leading regulatory discussions; scientific scholarship/publications; strong interpersonal collaboration in matrix; outstanding verbal/written communication.
- Preferred: Board Certified/Eligible in Cardiology/Endocrinology/Nephrology (or related); 7+ years industry drug development; successful product registration.
Required skills: Cardiovascular Diseases, Clinical Strategy, Clinical Trials, Cross-Functional Teamwork, Drug Development, Protocol Development, Regulatory Submissions, Scientific Leadership, Stakeholder Management.
Benefits/Compensation (if applicable): Annual bonus and long-term incentive; comprehensive benefits (medical/dental/vision, retirement/401(k), paid holidays, vacation, compassionate and sick days).
Application: Apply at https://jobs.merck.com/us/en (deadline stated on posting).
- Plan and direct clinical research for new or marketed medicines in Atherosclerosis.
- Manage late-stage clinical development lifecycle (Phase 2 to Phase V): strategy/design, protocol authoring, initiation, execution, monitoring, analysis, regulatory reporting, publication, and presentation.
- Lead cross-functional product development teams and provide scientific leadership supporting clinical trials; interact with key opinion leaders.
- Evaluate pre-clinical/translational work for early clinical plans and IND applications.
- Develop clinical development strategies and plan clinical trials (design, operations, settings).
- Monitor/manage conduct of clinical trials.
- Analyze/summarize clinical findings to support safety/efficacy decisions and regulatory filings/publications.
- Support business development assessments; manage other directors/senior directors for Atherosclerosis clinical development.
- Maintain scientific knowledge; author/oversee development documents and support collaborations.
- Travel ~20% to manage clinical research.
Qualifications:
- M.D. or M.D./Ph.D.
- Required: 3+ years clinical medicine; 5+ years focused clinical development with oversight of studies/protocols and experience authoring regulatory documents and leading regulatory discussions; scientific scholarship/publications; strong interpersonal collaboration in matrix; outstanding verbal/written communication.
- Preferred: Board Certified/Eligible in Cardiology/Endocrinology/Nephrology (or related); 7+ years industry drug development; successful product registration.
Required skills: Cardiovascular Diseases, Clinical Strategy, Clinical Trials, Cross-Functional Teamwork, Drug Development, Protocol Development, Regulatory Submissions, Scientific Leadership, Stakeholder Management.
Benefits/Compensation (if applicable): Annual bonus and long-term incentive; comprehensive benefits (medical/dental/vision, retirement/401(k), paid holidays, vacation, compassionate and sick days).
Application: Apply at https://jobs.merck.com/us/en (deadline stated on posting).