Principal Scientist (Director), Clinical Research, Immunology

Job DescriptionThe Clinical Director (Principal Scientist) has primary responsibility for the strategic planning and directing clinical research activities involving investigational compounds in Immunology. With a focus on late-stage development, the Clinical Director will manage the entire cycle of clinical development, including determination of appropriate disease indications to pursue and subsequent study design, initiation, execution, monitoring, analysis, regulatory filing, and publication.Specifically, The Clinical Director May Be Responsible For:Evaluating pre-clinical and translational work for the purpose of generating the early clinical development plan and Investigational New Drug applications.Providing clinical development support of business development assessments of external opportunities to grow the Immunology PipelineDeveloping clinical development strategies for investigational drugs and planning clinical trials (design, operational plans, settings) based on these clinical development strategiesMonitoring and managing the conduct of ongoing or new clinical trials for investigational drugsAnalyzing and summarizing the clinical findings from studies to support decisions regarding safety and efficacy as well as new drug applications, clinical study reports, or publication; andParticipation in internal and joint internal/external research project teams relevant to the development of new compoundsThe Clinical Director may:Supervise the activities of Clinical Scientists in the execution of clinical studies. Work closely with a cross-functional group of experts in commercialization, regulatory affairs, statistics, and manufacturing to manage clinical development projects; and assist the Senior Director, Associate Vice-President/Vice-President and Product Development Team Lead in ensuring that appropriate corporate personnel is informed of the progress of studies of our company and competitors' drugs and internal and external expert opinion on scientific questions relevant to his/her areas of responsibility.The Clinical Director is responsible for maintaining a strong scientific fund of knowledge by:Maintaining awareness of scientific developments within his/her area of expertise, in terms of new scientific findings, research methodologiesIdentification of scientifically and operationally strong investigators who can assist in the development of our company's investigational drugs in ImmunologyEstablishing collaborative relationships with external experts in Rheumatology diseases, particularly those whose research focus and expertise can inform and assist the evaluation of the company's investigational drugsAttending appropriate scientific meetings to maintain his or her competency and to maintain awareness of research activities in his/her area of responsibility.To accomplish these goals, the Clinical Director may:Author detailed development documents, presentations, budgets, and position papers for internal and external audiencesFacilitate collaborations with external researchers around the worldTravel on company business about twenty (20) percent of the time to manage future or ongoing clinical research projects.QualificationsEducationM.D., D.O., M.D./Ph.D, or D.O./Ph.D. Required education and experienceMinimum of 5 years of clinical and/or development experience (academia, clinical medicine, and/or corporate clinical development). Demonstrated record of scientific scholarship and achievementPrior experience in design and execution of phase 2 or 3 clinical trials in rheumatologic diseases is preferred Strong interpersonal skills, as well as the ability to work collaboratively in a cross-functional team environmentRequired Skills: Clinical Development, Clinical Research, Clinical Trial Planning, Cross-Functional Teamwork, Immunology, RheumatologyPreferred Skills: Current Employees apply HERECurrent Contingent Workers apply HEREUS and Puerto Rico Residents Only:Our company is committed to inclusion, ensuring that candidates can engage in a hiring process that exhibits their true capabilities. Please click here if you need an accommodation during the application or hiring process.As an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, we provide equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. As a federal contractor, we comply with all affirmative action requirements for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. For more information about personal rights under the U.S. Equal Opportunity Employment laws, visit:EEOC Know Your RightsEEOC GINA Supplement​We are proud to be a company that embraces the value of bringing together, talented, and committed people with diverse experiences, perspectives, skills and backgrounds. The fastest way to breakthrough innovation is when people with diverse ideas, broad experiences, backgrounds, and skills come together in an inclusive environment. We encourage our colleagues to respectfully challenge one another’s thinking and approach problems collectively.Learn more about your rights, including under California, Colorado and other US State ActsThe salary range for this role is$255,800.00 - $402,700.00This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. An employee’s position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, geographic location, government requirements, and business or organizational needs.The successful candidate will be eligible for annual bonus and long-term incentive, if applicable.We offer a comprehensive package of benefits. Available benefits include medical, dental, vision healthcare and other insurance benefits (for employee and family), retirement benefits, including 401(k), paid holidays, vacation, and compassionate and sick days. More information about benefits is available at .You can apply for this role through (or via the Workday Jobs Hub if you are a current employee). The application deadline for this position is stated on this posting.San Francisco Residents Only: We will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records for employment in compliance with the San Francisco Fair Chance OrdinanceLos Angeles Residents Only: We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring OrdinanceSearch Firm Representatives Please Read Carefully Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, Rahway, NJ, USA, does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. All CVs / resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at our company without a valid written search agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of our company. No fee will be paid in the event a candidate is hired by our company as a result of an agency referral where no pre-existing agreement is in place. Where agency agreements are in place, introductions are position specific. Please, no phone calls or emails. Employee Status: RegularRelocation:DomesticVISA Sponsorship:NoTravel Requirements:25%Flexible Work Arrangements:HybridShift:Not IndicatedValid Driving License:NoHazardous Material(s):n/aJob Posting End Date:10/8/2026*A job posting is effective until 11:59:59PM on the day BEFORE the listed job posting end date. Please ensure you apply to a job posting no later than the day BEFORE the job posting end date. SummaryLocation: USA - New Jersey - Rahway; USA - Pennsylvania - Upper Gwynedd; USA - California - San FranciscoType: Full time