Associate Director Clinical Scientist, Immunology

Job DescriptionThe Associate Director Clinical Scientist provides scientific leadership across multiple assigned clinical studies, indications, or a clinical development program within the assigned therapeutic area. This role partners with Clinical Directors, Study Managers, Clinical Operations, Medical Monitoring, Data Management, Statistics, and Regulatory colleagues to ensure scientific integrity, operational quality, and strategic alignment across related studies.The Associate Director Clinical Scientist applies expertise in disease biology, clinical research, and drug development to guide study design, clinical data review, interpretation of results, and generation of scientific insights across assigned studies or indications. The role supports consistent execution, evidence generation, and development decisions that advance protocol objectives and the broader clinical development strategy.Job ResponsibilitiesClinical Development & Scientific LeadershipServe as the lead Clinical Scientist across multiple assigned clinical studies, indications, or key components of a clinical development program, providing scientific oversight from study planning through analysis and reportingLead or contribute to the development of clinical protocols, protocol amendments, informed consent forms, case report forms, data review plans, and other study-related documents across assigned studies or indicationsPartner with Clinical Directors and cross-functional study teams to ensure study objectives, endpoints, and assessments are aligned across studies and support the broader clinical development strategyMaintain knowledge of evolving scientific literature, treatment guidelines, competitive developments, and emerging therapies within the therapeutic areaProvide scientific leadership and consistency across related studies, ensuring alignment of study design, execution, data interpretation, and deliverables within the assigned program or indication strategyContribute to clinical development strategy by integrating scientific evidence, competitive intelligence, clinical practice trends and emerging data to inform development decisionsClinical Data Review & Scientific InsightsLead ongoing review and interpretation of clinical data to assess patient safety, protocol adherence, data quality, and study conductCollaborate with Medical Monitors and Clinical Directors to evaluate safety signals, protocol deviations, patient profiles, laboratory findings, and efficacy outcomesAnalyze and interpret clinical trial data to identify meaningful trends and generate scientific insights that support study deliverablesContribute to study reports, regulatory documents, publications, scientific presentations, and internal governance materialsCross-Functional CollaborationCollaborate closely with Clinical Operations, Data Management, Programming, Biostatistics, and Regulatory Affairs to support high-quality study execution and deliveryProvide scientific expertise and guidance to study teams and mentor junior clinical scientists as appropriateEffectively communicate complex scientific concepts and study findings to both technical and non-technical audiencesInfluence decisions and drive alignment within a matrix-based global organizationKey Focus AreasStrong understanding of autoimmune diseases including, pathophysiology, and treatment paradigms for immune-mediated diseasesAbility to interpret efficacy, safety, biomarker, and patient-reported outcome data within the context of disease-specific endpoints and evolving standards of careExperience conducting medical review of clinical trial data and contributing to safety and efficacy assessmentsAbility to translate scientific findings into actionable insights that support clinical development strategyDemonstrated scientific curiosity and commitment to staying current with advancements in immunology research, disease mechanisms, and emerging treatment approachesEducation & ExperienceRequiredAdvanced degree (PharmD, PhD, MD, DO, PA or ANRP) and 2+ years of demonstrated clinical science experience -OR-Master’s degree in a life science discipline and 6+ years of clinical science experience -OR-Bachelor’s degree in life sciences discipline and 9+ years of clinical science experienceExperienced with:Protocol developmentClinical data reviewMedical monitoring supportCross-functional drug development teamsPreferredExperience in Immunology clinical developmentclinicaltrialjobsRequired Skills: Adaptability, Clinical Data Management, Clinical Operations, Clinical Research, Clinical Trials, Data Analysis, Good Clinical Practice (GCP), Protocol Development, Regulatory Compliance, Stakeholder Alignment, Strategic Thinking, Study DesignPreferred Skills: Leadership, Mentorship, Technical KnowledgeCurrent 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$142,400.00 - $224,100.00This 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:No relocationVISA Sponsorship:NoTravel Requirements:10%Flexible Work Arrangements:Not ApplicableShift:1st - DayValid Driving License:NoHazardous Material(s):N/AJob Posting End Date:09/29/2026*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 - California - San Diego (Science Park Road); USA - Pennsylvania - North Wales (Upper Gwynedd)Type: Full time