Principal Scientist, Nonclinical Drug Safety Program Discovery
Merck
July 01, 2026
Remote friendly (Cambridge, MA)
United States
Clinical Research and Development
Discovery Program Leader (DPL), Nonclinical Drug Safety (NDS) — Immunology/Oncology
Responsibilities
- Represent NDS on discovery teams and participate in therapeutic area discovery governance reviews.
- Define and oversee NDS strategy for programs in all modalities (small molecules, peptides, biologics, ADCs) from Target Identification through First-In-Human enabling GLP toxicity approval.
- Provide target risk assessments, de-risking strategies, and collaborate with NDS staff across sites to execute studies supporting therapeutic target selection and new candidate development.
- May lead early development teams: define GLP toxicology strategy/execution and non-clinical safety sections of regulatory documents supporting clinical trials and marketing authorization.
- Facilitate creative thinking from target ID/validation through lead optimization (primarily Immunology; also Oncology and other therapeutic areas as needed).
- Identify/assess risks using literature, internal data, and external information.
In This Role You Will
- Influence cross-site disease area and functional disciplines; be a “drug creator” promoting innovation.
Qualifications / Skills
- PhD (or equivalent) in Toxicology, Pharmacology, Pathology, Biology, Biochemistry, Immunology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemistry, or related STEM; DVM/MD acceptable.
- 8+ years pharmaceutical industry experience in nonclinical safety (e.g., toxicology/pathology) and/or nonclinical safety assessment across discovery/development.
- Proven cross-functional leadership in a matrix organization; creative problem solving and timely delivery.
- Strong collaboration, interpersonal, and communication skills.
Preferred
- Immunology background; experience in biopharmaceutical/small molecule discovery/development.
- Regulatory submission/response experience; consortia/external org involvement.
Required Skills
Adaptability, Drug Development, Drug Discovery Process, Safety Evaluation, Strategic Thinking, Toxicology (and related collaboration/networking/innovative thinking).
Benefits / Pay (as stated)
- Salary range: $176,200.00–$277,300.00; annual bonus and long-term incentive (if applicable). Comprehensive benefits include medical/dental/vision, retirement (401(k)), paid holidays/vacation, and sick/compassionate days.
Application
- Apply via https://jobs.merck.com/us/en (or Workday Jobs Hub). Application deadline is stated on the posting.
Responsibilities
- Represent NDS on discovery teams and participate in therapeutic area discovery governance reviews.
- Define and oversee NDS strategy for programs in all modalities (small molecules, peptides, biologics, ADCs) from Target Identification through First-In-Human enabling GLP toxicity approval.
- Provide target risk assessments, de-risking strategies, and collaborate with NDS staff across sites to execute studies supporting therapeutic target selection and new candidate development.
- May lead early development teams: define GLP toxicology strategy/execution and non-clinical safety sections of regulatory documents supporting clinical trials and marketing authorization.
- Facilitate creative thinking from target ID/validation through lead optimization (primarily Immunology; also Oncology and other therapeutic areas as needed).
- Identify/assess risks using literature, internal data, and external information.
In This Role You Will
- Influence cross-site disease area and functional disciplines; be a “drug creator” promoting innovation.
Qualifications / Skills
- PhD (or equivalent) in Toxicology, Pharmacology, Pathology, Biology, Biochemistry, Immunology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemistry, or related STEM; DVM/MD acceptable.
- 8+ years pharmaceutical industry experience in nonclinical safety (e.g., toxicology/pathology) and/or nonclinical safety assessment across discovery/development.
- Proven cross-functional leadership in a matrix organization; creative problem solving and timely delivery.
- Strong collaboration, interpersonal, and communication skills.
Preferred
- Immunology background; experience in biopharmaceutical/small molecule discovery/development.
- Regulatory submission/response experience; consortia/external org involvement.
Required Skills
Adaptability, Drug Development, Drug Discovery Process, Safety Evaluation, Strategic Thinking, Toxicology (and related collaboration/networking/innovative thinking).
Benefits / Pay (as stated)
- Salary range: $176,200.00–$277,300.00; annual bonus and long-term incentive (if applicable). Comprehensive benefits include medical/dental/vision, retirement (401(k)), paid holidays/vacation, and sick/compassionate days.
Application
- Apply via https://jobs.merck.com/us/en (or Workday Jobs Hub). Application deadline is stated on the posting.