Principal Scientist (Director), Translational Medicine, Immunology
Merck
August 21, 2026
Remote friendly (Boston, MA)
United States
Clinical Research and Development
Translational Medicine (Immunology) is responsible for early clinical development of novel therapeutics.
Translational Medicine Is Specifically Responsible For
- Leadership of early clinical development strategy (Preclinical Candidate approval through Phase 1 clinical pharmacology and Phase 2 proof-of-concept).
- Biomarker strategy development (including Experimental Medicine studies) from First-in-Human through Proof-of-Concept.
- Clinical perspective on target identification/validation and execution of clinical studies to assess relevance to human disease.
- Clinical pharmacology strategy development to support development through worldwide marketing application.
Primary Responsibilities
- Lead an early development team; design and execute early clinical development strategy.
- Author/execute early clinical and biomarker plans and clinical pharmacology studies (Phases I–IV).
- Validate clinical platforms using established/novel biomarkers, including imaging, electrophysiological and behavioral readouts.
- Provide clinical expertise for novel target/pathway identification and validation.
- Safe/timely Phase I execution; collaborate with cross-functional teams.
- Provide clinical pharmacology support for worldwide marketing application (registration documents and presentations).
- Communicate and interpret study results to governance and review committees.
- Interface with key functions across global research sites.
Education
- MD or MD/PhD.
Required
- Track record in clinical medicine or clinical research; biomedical research background.
- Scientific scholarship (publications/presentations) and collaborative mindset.
- Strong interpersonal, writing, and presentation skills.
Preferred
- Clinical Board Certification or eligibility; translational/early clinical development experience.
Required Skills
- Academic presentations; Allergy and Immunology; Clinical Research; Cross-functional teamwork; Immunology; Preclinical research; Translational Medicine; Translational Research.
Application
- Apply at https://jobs.merck.com/us/en (deadline stated on posting).
Translational Medicine Is Specifically Responsible For
- Leadership of early clinical development strategy (Preclinical Candidate approval through Phase 1 clinical pharmacology and Phase 2 proof-of-concept).
- Biomarker strategy development (including Experimental Medicine studies) from First-in-Human through Proof-of-Concept.
- Clinical perspective on target identification/validation and execution of clinical studies to assess relevance to human disease.
- Clinical pharmacology strategy development to support development through worldwide marketing application.
Primary Responsibilities
- Lead an early development team; design and execute early clinical development strategy.
- Author/execute early clinical and biomarker plans and clinical pharmacology studies (Phases I–IV).
- Validate clinical platforms using established/novel biomarkers, including imaging, electrophysiological and behavioral readouts.
- Provide clinical expertise for novel target/pathway identification and validation.
- Safe/timely Phase I execution; collaborate with cross-functional teams.
- Provide clinical pharmacology support for worldwide marketing application (registration documents and presentations).
- Communicate and interpret study results to governance and review committees.
- Interface with key functions across global research sites.
Education
- MD or MD/PhD.
Required
- Track record in clinical medicine or clinical research; biomedical research background.
- Scientific scholarship (publications/presentations) and collaborative mindset.
- Strong interpersonal, writing, and presentation skills.
Preferred
- Clinical Board Certification or eligibility; translational/early clinical development experience.
Required Skills
- Academic presentations; Allergy and Immunology; Clinical Research; Cross-functional teamwork; Immunology; Preclinical research; Translational Medicine; Translational Research.
Application
- Apply at https://jobs.merck.com/us/en (deadline stated on posting).