Senior Principal Scientist, Precision Medicine, Immunology Full-time

Senior Principal Scientist, Precision Medicine, Immunology

Precision Medicine is an integral part of our Immunology Therapeutic Area. To support our growing Immunology pipeline across Gastroenterology, Rheumatology and Dermatology, we are seeking an experienced experimental medicine leader in our newly created Precision Medicine and Diagnostics function. Reporting to the Associate Vice President, Precision Medicine and Diagnostics, in this role, you will serve as the translational lead on late-stage immunology programs, driving the Precision Medicine objectives in alignment with clinical development plans. Collaborating with Discovery, Translational Medicine and Product Development Teams, you will be the authority in defining and interpreting the translational experiments and data generated respectively from our clinical trials, and understanding the potential clinical application of biomarkers/diagnostics arising from these.

Key Responsibilities

• Work with the Associate Vice President, Precision Medicine and Diagnostics/TA Vice President and cross-functional partners to define Precision Medicine strategy within the Immunology TA
• Work closely with a cross-functional group of experts, including clinical directors, clinical trial operations, and biomarker operations teams as they key liaison to enable implementation of precision medicine strategy in clinical trials
• Contribute to creation of translational plans for all programs within the Immunology TA, aligned with overall TA strategy and with relevant disease area and/or pathway strategies
• Collaborate with discovery colleagues for programs in early stage to influence biomarker assessments and readouts to drive forward and reverse translation tied to Precision Medicine goals
• Champion the use of new technologies and modalities to drive Precision Medicine vision
• Support the development, approval and commercialization of diagnostics developed as companion or complementary
• Serve as the key stakeholder engaging with external experts on drafting and reviewing concepts aligned with the Precision Medicine goals for relevant programs/assets

The Senior Principal Scientist is responsible for maintaining a strong scientific fund of knowledge by:

• Maintaining awareness of scientific developments within one’s area of expertise, in terms of new scientific findings, research methodologies
• Attending appropriate scientific meetings to maintain one’s competency and to maintain awareness of research activities in one’s area of responsibility

To accomplish these goals, the Senior Principal Scientist may:

• Author detailed development documents, presentations, budgets, and position papers for internal and external audiences
• Collaborate with external experts/researchers around the world with a specific interest and expertise related to Precision Medicine
• Travel on company business about twenty (20) percent of the time to manage future or ongoing clinical research projects.

Required Qualifications

• PhD degree in Immunology required
• Minimum of 8 years of experience in immunology translational research in a pharmaceutical and academic setting, with a focus on inflammatory and autoimmune diseases in Gastroenterology, Rheumatology, and Dermatology.
• Strong knowledge of the pathogenesis of immune mediated disease and the application of cellular, molecular technologies and models to drive program decisions.
• Detailed understanding of translational and clinical research methodology and biostatistics principles.
• Prior experience in drafting regulatory documents and interactions with global regulatory agencies required
• Self-driven leader willing to advance Precision Medicine in Immunology
• Demonstrated ability to work in a highly matrixed environment

Preferred Qualifications:

• People management experience

Salary Range: $206,200.00 – $324,600.00

This 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.

You can apply for this role through https://jobs.merck.com/us/en (or via the Workday Jobs Hub if you are a current employee). The application deadline for this position is on this posting.