Prin. Scientist, Clinical Research
Merck
August 22, 2026
Remote friendly (West Point, PA)
United States
Clinical Research and Development
Principal Scientist (Director) in Translational Medicine – Oncology
Translational Medicine Is Specifically Responsible For:
- Leadership of early clinical development strategy for novel therapy programs from Preclinical Candidate approval through Phase 1 (clinical pharmacology testing) and Phase 2 (clinical proof-of-concept).
- Development of biomarker strategies with cross-functional teams, providing line-of-sight from First-in-Human through Phase 2; includes Experimental Medicine to establish/validate biomarker platforms.
- Partnering with discovery research to bring clinical perspective to early target identification/validation and executing clinical studies to evaluate target relevance to human disease.
- Development and execution of clinical pharmacology strategies to support Phase 2 through worldwide marketing application.
Primary Responsibilities:
- Key member of an early development team; lead the design and execution of early clinical development strategy.
- Author and execute early clinical and biomarker plans (Lead Optimization), early clinical development plans (Preclinical Candidate molecules), and clinical pharmacology studies (Phases I–IV).
- Validate clinical platforms using established/novel biomarkers (including imaging, electrophysiological, and behavioral responses).
- Provide clinical expertise for novel target identification/validation, including preclinical/clinical pharmacology experiments.
- Safe and timely execution of Phase I studies and close collaboration with internal/external study support functions.
- Provide clinical pharmacology support through worldwide marketing application filings.
- Communicate and interpret study results to governance/experts and development review committees.
- Assess internal/external opportunities identified by Business Development and Licensing.
- Interface broadly with key functions across research sites.
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.
Required skills (examples): Clinical development/research, early clinical development, ethical compliance/standards, internal medicine, pharmaceutical development/sciences, pharmacokinetics, protocol development, scientific writing, strategic thinking, translational research.
Translational Medicine Is Specifically Responsible For:
- Leadership of early clinical development strategy for novel therapy programs from Preclinical Candidate approval through Phase 1 (clinical pharmacology testing) and Phase 2 (clinical proof-of-concept).
- Development of biomarker strategies with cross-functional teams, providing line-of-sight from First-in-Human through Phase 2; includes Experimental Medicine to establish/validate biomarker platforms.
- Partnering with discovery research to bring clinical perspective to early target identification/validation and executing clinical studies to evaluate target relevance to human disease.
- Development and execution of clinical pharmacology strategies to support Phase 2 through worldwide marketing application.
Primary Responsibilities:
- Key member of an early development team; lead the design and execution of early clinical development strategy.
- Author and execute early clinical and biomarker plans (Lead Optimization), early clinical development plans (Preclinical Candidate molecules), and clinical pharmacology studies (Phases I–IV).
- Validate clinical platforms using established/novel biomarkers (including imaging, electrophysiological, and behavioral responses).
- Provide clinical expertise for novel target identification/validation, including preclinical/clinical pharmacology experiments.
- Safe and timely execution of Phase I studies and close collaboration with internal/external study support functions.
- Provide clinical pharmacology support through worldwide marketing application filings.
- Communicate and interpret study results to governance/experts and development review committees.
- Assess internal/external opportunities identified by Business Development and Licensing.
- Interface broadly with key functions across research sites.
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.
Required skills (examples): Clinical development/research, early clinical development, ethical compliance/standards, internal medicine, pharmaceutical development/sciences, pharmacokinetics, protocol development, scientific writing, strategic thinking, translational research.