Senior Principal Scientist (Senior Director), Discovery and Translational Immunology Full-time

Immunology Discovery Project Lead

Our Company's Discovery Immunology groups are developing a world class pipeline to treat immune mediated diseases across Gastroenterology, Rheumatology and Dermatology. We are seeking an exceptional scientific leader with deep expertise in Immunology Discovery and Translational Research to join our vibrant Research & Discovery team in San Diego in our journey to discover and develop the next generation of best-in-class medicines that will raise the therapeutic ceiling in the treatment of immune-driven diseases.

This role is equivalent to a Senior Director and will report to the Associate Vice President, Immunology Discovery. This position will serve as Discovery Immunology Project lead on early-stage immunology programs, driving projects from scientific rationale for target ID through translational research, target validation, differentiation, derisking, modality selection, and overall strategy through the Discovery stages.

This scientific leader will also play a key role in building and executing the translational research strategy for Immunology. This is a strategic role that will sit at the interface of Discovery, Biomarkers and Early Development, and will also interact and influence the design and execution of translational data generation from internal clinical studies. The individual will also play an important role in identifying, managing and executing translational research collaborations with academic scientific researchers and CROs. Previous experience in translational science research with a focus on acquisition of disease patient samples and multi-omics data generation and interpretation in collaboration with computational/Data science partners are key attributes.

Collaborating with Discovery Biologics, Chemistry, Quantitative Biology, Computational Scientists, Translational Medicine and other functions at Our Company, you will be defining and executing the discovery and translational strategy for multiple programs. The role also will be responsible for early discovery programs, translational data and biomarker discovery for portfolio pipeline programs in immunology and its successful and timely transition into Early Development.

Key Responsibilities:

• Work with the Associate Vice President Immunology Discovery SD Research & Development Division and other project leads on site as well as other Research & Development Division Immunology Discovery sites to define and execute drug discovery immunology programs in the portfolio as part of the Immunology TA strategy.
• Closely collaborate with a cross-functional group of experts across Our Company to design and execute the Research Operating Plan to advance projects through Discovery.
• Lead the discovery and creation of cellular, molecular and functional assays required for design and execution of the Research Operating Plan to advance projects through Discovery and toward early development.
• Partner closely with cross functional colleagues, including Computational Scientists (DAGS), modelers, PKPD, to advance projects forward through stages of Discovery.
• Lead the discovery and creation of cellular, molecular and functional assays that serve as biomarkers for prosecution of programs as they advance through the Discovery stages toward Early Development.
• Contribute to discovery and creation of translational data strategy for immunology including partnering internally and externally in the generation of actionable science packages to identify, validate and execute novel targets implicated in the pathogenesis of TA disease areas including diseases in the Derm, Rheum and GI areas.
• Collaborate with Translational Medicine and Biomarker colleagues for programs moving toward Early Development to ensure transition of early discovery biomarkers and biomarkers plans for execution during development stages.
• Champion the use of new technologies and modalities to drive discovery and prosecution of novel targets in immunological disease through various modalities and approaches including small molecules, peptides, biologics, T cell engagers and others.
• Actively contribute to the overall company's Immunology TA strategy.
• Maintaining awareness of scientific developments within area of expertise, in terms of new scientific findings, research methodologies, novel platforms and modalities.
• Attend appropriate scientific meetings to maintain cutting edge knowledge and competency in the field.

Qualifications:

Education:

• Bachelor's (with 20+ years), Master's (with 15+ years) or Ph.D. (with 10+ years) in Immunology, Cell Biology or related field and relevant immunology research experience, with at least seven (7) years of direct industry experience

Required Experience and Skills:

• Knowledge and experience of immune-mediated diseases including a strong understanding of molecular pathways driving disease and of relevant clinical trial results and competitive landscape in immunology and autoinflammation.
• Prior experience shaping and executing in discovery research and drug development in the field of immunology with a focus on autoimmune/inflammatory diseases
• Experience in compound (small molecules, biologics, other modalities) discovery and design for a variety of relevant disease targets
• Prior experience in ideating, establishing, and executing translational research strategies in immune diseases, including strategic fit, coordination of data generation and interpretation with computational scientist and other functions
• Experience developing clinically relevant biomarkers for target engagement and pharmacodynamic measures
• A minimum of seven (7) years of direct management experience overseeing multiple teams and proven leadership with the ability to align, motivate and empower team members and a demonstrated passion for team building and talent development
• Strong awareness of safety and environmental requirements
• A good understanding of integration and partnering necessary for pharmaceutical development with Translational Medicine, Clinical, CMC, Regulatory, Operations, and other functional areas
• Effective communication, collaboration, and negotiation skills with the ability to work with senior level managers in meeting venues that include multiple cross-functional representatives
• Participate in cross functional collaboration and support in the preparation of INDs and other submissions to health agencies for human clinical studies

Required Skills:

Autoimmune Diseases, Biologics, Biomarker Research, Cell Biology, Clinical Research Organizations (CRO) Management, Immune Response, Immunology, Inflammatory Diseases, Leadership, Molecular Research, Small Molecules, Team Management, Translational Research

Preferred Skills:

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. For more information about personal rights under the U.S. Equal Opportunity Employment laws, visit:

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The salary range for this role is $190,800.00 – $300,300.00. 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. More information about benefits is available at https://jobs.merck.com/us/en/compensation-and-benefits.

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 stated on this posting.

We will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records for employment in compliance with the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance

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 Ordinance

Regular

Domestic

No

10%

Not Applicable

1st – Day

No

N/A

03/31/2026

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