Prin. Scientist, Clinical Research
Merck
August 23, 2026
Remote friendly (Boston, MA)
United States
Clinical Research and Development
Principal Scientist (Director) in Translational Medicine–Oncology
Responsibilities:
- Lead early clinical development strategy for novel therapy programs from Preclinical Candidate approval through Phase 1 clinical pharmacology and Phase 2 proof-of-concept.
- Develop biomarker strategies with cross-functional teams from First-in-Human through Phase 2, including Experimental Medicine to establish/validate biomarker platforms.
- Partner with discovery research to incorporate clinical perspective into early target identification/validation; execute studies to assess target relevance to human disease.
- Develop and execute clinical pharmacology strategies from Phase 2 through worldwide marketing application.
- Provide leadership for early clinical development, including authoring initial clinical and biomarker plans for Lead Optimization, early clinical development plans for Preclinical Candidates, and clinical pharmacology studies across Phases I–IV.
- Validate clinical platforms using established/novel biomarkers (e.g., imaging, electrophysiology, behavioral responses).
- Provide clinical expertise for target/pathway identification and validation, including preclinical and/or clinical pharmacology experiments.
- Ensure safe/timely execution of Phase I studies and collaborate with internal/external study teams.
- Support marketing application filing with registration documents and presentations; communicate and interpret study results to governance/committees.
- Interface across key functions and assess internal/external business opportunities.
Education:
- MD/PhD or MD
Required:
- Clinical experience and/or basic science background in internal medicine, pathology, and/or oncology.
- Demonstrated scientific scholarship/achievement; oncology preferred.
- Strong interpersonal, writing, and presentation skills; team-oriented.
- Clinical Board Certification preferred.
Preferred:
- Prior translational research and/or early clinical development experience.
Skills (required): Clinical Development, Clinical Research, Early Clinical Development, Ethical Compliance/Standards, Internal Medicine, Pharmaceutical Development/Sciences, Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacotherapeutics, Protocol Development, Scientific Writing, Strategic Thinking, Translational Research.
Application:
- Apply via https://jobs.merck.com/us/en (Workday Jobs Hub for current employees). Application deadline listed on posting; Requisition ID: R405907.
Responsibilities:
- Lead early clinical development strategy for novel therapy programs from Preclinical Candidate approval through Phase 1 clinical pharmacology and Phase 2 proof-of-concept.
- Develop biomarker strategies with cross-functional teams from First-in-Human through Phase 2, including Experimental Medicine to establish/validate biomarker platforms.
- Partner with discovery research to incorporate clinical perspective into early target identification/validation; execute studies to assess target relevance to human disease.
- Develop and execute clinical pharmacology strategies from Phase 2 through worldwide marketing application.
- Provide leadership for early clinical development, including authoring initial clinical and biomarker plans for Lead Optimization, early clinical development plans for Preclinical Candidates, and clinical pharmacology studies across Phases I–IV.
- Validate clinical platforms using established/novel biomarkers (e.g., imaging, electrophysiology, behavioral responses).
- Provide clinical expertise for target/pathway identification and validation, including preclinical and/or clinical pharmacology experiments.
- Ensure safe/timely execution of Phase I studies and collaborate with internal/external study teams.
- Support marketing application filing with registration documents and presentations; communicate and interpret study results to governance/committees.
- Interface across key functions and assess internal/external business opportunities.
Education:
- MD/PhD or MD
Required:
- Clinical experience and/or basic science background in internal medicine, pathology, and/or oncology.
- Demonstrated scientific scholarship/achievement; oncology preferred.
- Strong interpersonal, writing, and presentation skills; team-oriented.
- Clinical Board Certification preferred.
Preferred:
- Prior translational research and/or early clinical development experience.
Skills (required): Clinical Development, Clinical Research, Early Clinical Development, Ethical Compliance/Standards, Internal Medicine, Pharmaceutical Development/Sciences, Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacotherapeutics, Protocol Development, Scientific Writing, Strategic Thinking, Translational Research.
Application:
- Apply via https://jobs.merck.com/us/en (Workday Jobs Hub for current employees). Application deadline listed on posting; Requisition ID: R405907.