Senior Principal Scientist, Pharmacokinetics
Merck
August 10, 2026
On-site
South San Francisco, CA
Clinical Research and Development
Key Responsibilities:
- Provide scientific leadership for DMPK strategy for drug conjugates and related novel modalities.
- Represent DMPK on cross-functional discovery/development teams; integrate ADME, PK, PK/PD, bioanalysis, pharmacology, toxicology, and clinical pharmacology to guide decisions.
- Develop and implement fit-for-purpose DMPK screening funnels and translational plans for lead optimization, candidate selection, human dose projection, and regulatory packages.
- Oversee LM ADME experimentation strategy and capabilities.
- Contribute to portfolio management (opportunities, liabilities, resource needs, decision points).
- Author/review/present scientific and nonclinical documents for regulatory submissions and decision-making.
- Manage and develop investigators and scientific experts; set expectations and enable prioritization and execution.
- Monitor external advances (conjugates, ADME, translational PK/PD, bioanalysis, emerging modalities) and integrate innovations.
- Collaborate with internal/external partners and CROs to deliver high-impact DMPK data packages.
Qualifications:
- Education: Master’s (15+ years) or Ph.D. (12+ years) in relevant disciplines (pharmacokinetics, drug metabolism, pharm sciences, pharmacology, biochemistry/biology, etc.) with significant DMPK/ADME/translational experience.
- Extensive experience in DMPK/ADME/pharmacokinetics/translational science with strong scientific impact.
- Deep expertise in ADME, PK, PK/PD, bioanalysis, translational interpretation for complex modalities (e.g., conjugates/biologics).
- Ability to design, interpret, and integrate in vitro/in vivo data for progression, human PK projection, dose selection, and regulatory strategy.
- Experience influencing strategy on cross-functional teams.
- Knowledge of nonclinical-to-clinical translation and IND-enabling/regulatory role of DMPK.
- Strong written/verbal communication and collaboration/mentoring.
Preferred Skills:
- Track record leading matrixed teams and driving decisions in fast-paced portfolios.
- Small-molecule ADME experience applicable to conjugates.
- Model-informed approaches (translational PK/PD, PBPK, population PK, exposure-response, human dose projection).
- External scientific visibility.
Required/Preferred Skills:
- ADME; DMPK; Drug Metabolism; Pharmacokinetics/Pharmacodynamics; Translational PK/PD (PKPD); People Management; Portfolio Management; Scientific Leadership; Talent Development; In Vitro Assays; Pharmacology; ADC; Biologics.
Benefits & Compensation:
- Annual bonus and long-term incentive (if applicable); comprehensive benefits including medical/dental/vision, retirement (401(k)), paid holidays, vacation, and compassionate/sick days.
- Salary range: $194,100.00–$305,600.00.
Application Instructions:
- Apply via https://jobs.merck.com/us/en (or Workday Jobs Hub as a current employee). Application deadline is stated on the posting. Requisition ID: R410391.
- Provide scientific leadership for DMPK strategy for drug conjugates and related novel modalities.
- Represent DMPK on cross-functional discovery/development teams; integrate ADME, PK, PK/PD, bioanalysis, pharmacology, toxicology, and clinical pharmacology to guide decisions.
- Develop and implement fit-for-purpose DMPK screening funnels and translational plans for lead optimization, candidate selection, human dose projection, and regulatory packages.
- Oversee LM ADME experimentation strategy and capabilities.
- Contribute to portfolio management (opportunities, liabilities, resource needs, decision points).
- Author/review/present scientific and nonclinical documents for regulatory submissions and decision-making.
- Manage and develop investigators and scientific experts; set expectations and enable prioritization and execution.
- Monitor external advances (conjugates, ADME, translational PK/PD, bioanalysis, emerging modalities) and integrate innovations.
- Collaborate with internal/external partners and CROs to deliver high-impact DMPK data packages.
Qualifications:
- Education: Master’s (15+ years) or Ph.D. (12+ years) in relevant disciplines (pharmacokinetics, drug metabolism, pharm sciences, pharmacology, biochemistry/biology, etc.) with significant DMPK/ADME/translational experience.
- Extensive experience in DMPK/ADME/pharmacokinetics/translational science with strong scientific impact.
- Deep expertise in ADME, PK, PK/PD, bioanalysis, translational interpretation for complex modalities (e.g., conjugates/biologics).
- Ability to design, interpret, and integrate in vitro/in vivo data for progression, human PK projection, dose selection, and regulatory strategy.
- Experience influencing strategy on cross-functional teams.
- Knowledge of nonclinical-to-clinical translation and IND-enabling/regulatory role of DMPK.
- Strong written/verbal communication and collaboration/mentoring.
Preferred Skills:
- Track record leading matrixed teams and driving decisions in fast-paced portfolios.
- Small-molecule ADME experience applicable to conjugates.
- Model-informed approaches (translational PK/PD, PBPK, population PK, exposure-response, human dose projection).
- External scientific visibility.
Required/Preferred Skills:
- ADME; DMPK; Drug Metabolism; Pharmacokinetics/Pharmacodynamics; Translational PK/PD (PKPD); People Management; Portfolio Management; Scientific Leadership; Talent Development; In Vitro Assays; Pharmacology; ADC; Biologics.
Benefits & Compensation:
- Annual bonus and long-term incentive (if applicable); comprehensive benefits including medical/dental/vision, retirement (401(k)), paid holidays, vacation, and compassionate/sick days.
- Salary range: $194,100.00–$305,600.00.
Application Instructions:
- Apply via https://jobs.merck.com/us/en (or Workday Jobs Hub as a current employee). Application deadline is stated on the posting. Requisition ID: R410391.