Senior Director of Clinical Science - Lung
Merck
August 19, 2026
Remote friendly (North Wales, PA)
United States
Clinical Research and Development
Responsibilities:
- Provide strategic Clinical Science leadership for the lung disease area across multiple studies, programs, and assets.
- Contribute to disease area strategy; apply lung cancer expertise (biology, treatment landscape, endpoints) to guide study planning, data interpretation, and issue resolution.
- Standardize Clinical Science approaches (medical data review, interpretation principles, deliverables) and align practices across assets.
- Provide senior scientific guidance on protocols, amendments, study design, endpoints, eligibility, and biomarker strategy.
- Support portfolio and governance discussions; translate portfolio priorities into Clinical Science strategies/capabilities/resources.
- Manage and develop Clinical Science talent (Directors/Principal Scientists/Clinical Scientists as appropriate) with coaching and clear expectations.
- Collaborate cross-functionally (Clinical Ops, Regulatory, Biostatistics/Data Mgmt, Drug Safety, Translational Medicine, Medical Affairs, etc.) to align and communicate scientific issues.
- Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, company policies, and procedures; support inspection readiness.
Qualifications:
- Advanced scientific/healthcare degree (PhD/PharmD) + at least 7 years lung oncology drug development experience OR Master’s in life sciences + 12 years.
- Significant Clinical Development/Clinical Science/oncology development experience in pharma/biotech.
- Demonstrated Clinical Science leadership across multiple studies/programs/assets; deep lung cancer therapeutic expertise.
- Strong clinical trial design, data review/interpretation, and cross-functional matrix experience.
Required skills:
Change agility; Clinical Development; Clinical Oncology; Clinical Reporting/Research/Sciences; Clinical Study/Trial Management; Medical Sciences; Oncology; People leadership.
Travel: 0–25%.
Benefits (if applicable): medical/dental/vision/insurance, retirement (401(k)), paid holidays, vacation, compassionate and sick days.
Application: apply via https://jobs.merck.com/us/en (or Workday Jobs Hub if a current employee).
- Provide strategic Clinical Science leadership for the lung disease area across multiple studies, programs, and assets.
- Contribute to disease area strategy; apply lung cancer expertise (biology, treatment landscape, endpoints) to guide study planning, data interpretation, and issue resolution.
- Standardize Clinical Science approaches (medical data review, interpretation principles, deliverables) and align practices across assets.
- Provide senior scientific guidance on protocols, amendments, study design, endpoints, eligibility, and biomarker strategy.
- Support portfolio and governance discussions; translate portfolio priorities into Clinical Science strategies/capabilities/resources.
- Manage and develop Clinical Science talent (Directors/Principal Scientists/Clinical Scientists as appropriate) with coaching and clear expectations.
- Collaborate cross-functionally (Clinical Ops, Regulatory, Biostatistics/Data Mgmt, Drug Safety, Translational Medicine, Medical Affairs, etc.) to align and communicate scientific issues.
- Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, company policies, and procedures; support inspection readiness.
Qualifications:
- Advanced scientific/healthcare degree (PhD/PharmD) + at least 7 years lung oncology drug development experience OR Master’s in life sciences + 12 years.
- Significant Clinical Development/Clinical Science/oncology development experience in pharma/biotech.
- Demonstrated Clinical Science leadership across multiple studies/programs/assets; deep lung cancer therapeutic expertise.
- Strong clinical trial design, data review/interpretation, and cross-functional matrix experience.
Required skills:
Change agility; Clinical Development; Clinical Oncology; Clinical Reporting/Research/Sciences; Clinical Study/Trial Management; Medical Sciences; Oncology; People leadership.
Travel: 0–25%.
Benefits (if applicable): medical/dental/vision/insurance, retirement (401(k)), paid holidays, vacation, compassionate and sick days.
Application: apply via https://jobs.merck.com/us/en (or Workday Jobs Hub if a current employee).