Principal Scientist, Pharmacokinetics
Merck
June 25, 2026
Remote friendly (South San Francisco, CA)
United States
Clinical Research and Development
Key Responsibilities of the Principal Scientist
- Serve as project-team representative and subject matter expert for biologics drug discovery/development (drug conjugates, multi-specific biologics, novel modalities); define and execute PDMB workflow.
- Design in vitro/in vivo mechanistic and translational studies to evaluate pharmacokinetic and metabolic properties of therapeutic proteins to guide drug design, lead selection, and PK/PD translation.
- Provide timely, high-quality PDMB data deliverables.
- Author regulatory documents from FIH through registrational filing.
- Provide strategic DMPK guidance and partner across multidisciplinary interfaces to drive discovery/development.
- Contribute to departmental scientific initiatives and strategies.
- Stay abreast of external scientific advancements; evaluate and implement new DMPK technologies/methodologies.
Position Qualifications
- Ph.D. in a relevant scientific discipline with minimum 8 years industry experience, or MS with minimum 12 years relevant experience.
Required Experience and Skills
- Team-facing experience leading DMPK in biologics/conjugate discovery teams.
- Track record setting strategies/priorities and managing resources as an independent project-team representative.
- Ability to analyze/interpret DMPK and PK/PD properties of therapeutic proteins; extract preclinical PK/PD relationships and translate to humans.
- Cross-functional collaboration; communicate DMPK findings to inform decisions.
- Problem-solving/leadership; mentoring junior scientists.
Preferred Skills
- Multiple/nouveau therapeutic modalities; biodistribution evaluation in preclinical species.
- Discovery bioanalytical experience (immunoassay, LC/MS); translatable in vitro/in vivo models; modeling principles.
Required Skills
- ADME, Drug metabolism, Pharmacokinetics/Pharmacodynamics, PK/PD modeling, immunoassays, LC-MS, biophysics/biochemical analysis, mentoring, cross-functional teamwork, therapeutic proteins.
Benefits (as stated)
- Annual bonus and long-term incentive (if applicable); comprehensive benefits including medical/dental/vision, retirement (401(k)), paid holidays, vacation, and compassionate/sick days.
Application Instructions
- Apply via https://jobs.merck.com/us/en (or Workday Jobs Hub if current employee). Application deadline stated on posting.
- Serve as project-team representative and subject matter expert for biologics drug discovery/development (drug conjugates, multi-specific biologics, novel modalities); define and execute PDMB workflow.
- Design in vitro/in vivo mechanistic and translational studies to evaluate pharmacokinetic and metabolic properties of therapeutic proteins to guide drug design, lead selection, and PK/PD translation.
- Provide timely, high-quality PDMB data deliverables.
- Author regulatory documents from FIH through registrational filing.
- Provide strategic DMPK guidance and partner across multidisciplinary interfaces to drive discovery/development.
- Contribute to departmental scientific initiatives and strategies.
- Stay abreast of external scientific advancements; evaluate and implement new DMPK technologies/methodologies.
Position Qualifications
- Ph.D. in a relevant scientific discipline with minimum 8 years industry experience, or MS with minimum 12 years relevant experience.
Required Experience and Skills
- Team-facing experience leading DMPK in biologics/conjugate discovery teams.
- Track record setting strategies/priorities and managing resources as an independent project-team representative.
- Ability to analyze/interpret DMPK and PK/PD properties of therapeutic proteins; extract preclinical PK/PD relationships and translate to humans.
- Cross-functional collaboration; communicate DMPK findings to inform decisions.
- Problem-solving/leadership; mentoring junior scientists.
Preferred Skills
- Multiple/nouveau therapeutic modalities; biodistribution evaluation in preclinical species.
- Discovery bioanalytical experience (immunoassay, LC/MS); translatable in vitro/in vivo models; modeling principles.
Required Skills
- ADME, Drug metabolism, Pharmacokinetics/Pharmacodynamics, PK/PD modeling, immunoassays, LC-MS, biophysics/biochemical analysis, mentoring, cross-functional teamwork, therapeutic proteins.
Benefits (as stated)
- Annual bonus and long-term incentive (if applicable); comprehensive benefits including medical/dental/vision, retirement (401(k)), paid holidays, vacation, and compassionate/sick days.
Application Instructions
- Apply via https://jobs.merck.com/us/en (or Workday Jobs Hub if current employee). Application deadline stated on posting.