Associate Principal Scientist - Clinical Research

Job Description

Position Title (Short Title): Associate Principal Scientist

Department: Translational Medicine, Clinical Operations

Brief Description of Position:

Translational Medicine (TMed) drives early clinical development of novel therapeutics by partnering with Discovery Sciences and Late-Stage Clinical Research to translate scientific discoveries into human proof-of-concept and advance the most promising candidates through the pipeline to patients. We design and execute clinical pharmacology strategies spanning first-in-human studies through proof-of-biology/proof-of-concept and into late-stage development, supporting worldwide marketing applications and lifecycle management.

The Early Clinical Scientist (ECS) provides clinical operational leadership for the design, planning, and execution of early-phase clinical trials and programs in collaboration with the Clinical Director and cross-functional teams. Accountable for the execution of Immunology programs including multiple Phase 1 and 1b trials across programs and developmental stages. Manages cross-functional team performance to achieve trial objectives and addresses issues if they arise. Ensures execution excellence and compliance with GCP, ICH, and regulatory requirements, supporting study objectives and the delivery of high-quality data.

Ensures appropriate clinical safety assessment and risk management of compounds and provides real-time oversight of ongoing trials to identify and mitigate participant, study design, data, or study conduct issues. Reviews clinical trial data and may participate in on-site study monitoring, including site training & supervision of complex, novel endpoint/biomarker collection processes.

Represents Early-Stage Development Clinical Operations on early development and product development teams. Leads the development of departmental job aids/SOPs and participates in, or leads, cross-functional teams developing global clinical development procedures. Identifies and communicates best practices across the organization. Promotes departmental adoptation of new procedures and builds junior team members’ capabilities through proactive coaching, mentoring, and development opportunities. May represent the company at professional events, present clinical initiatives, projects, and/or clinical trial results.

Technical Writing & Communications:

• Responsible for authoring clinical protocols, investigator brochures, clinical study reports, health authority update reports, responses to regulatory agencies and audits/inspections, and other clinical and regulatory documents.
• Develops study operational documents with input from team members, including site monitoring plans, study operations/laboratory manuals, risk language, and informed consents.
• Authors and coordinates the development of WMA/CTD subsections.
• Assist Clinical Directors with scientific leadership and investigator initiatives, including publications, meeting presentations, and due diligence activities.
• Ensures documents are completed in accordance with applicable standards.

Project Management:

• Leads, directs, or supports teams through key study planning, development, and execution activities, including program overviews, issue escalation and mitigation, senior management presentations, cross-functional governance meetings, and advisory meeting preparation.
• Manages trial and program projects, including team meetings and collaborative workspace/document management, while providing risk assessments and contingency planning under accelerated timelines.

Reports to

Director/Senior Principal Scientist/Distinguished Scientist

Location

WP/RY/BOS/SSF

Extent of Travel

~10%

Qualifications, Skills & Experience

Education Minimum Requirement:

• Degree in Life Sciences.

• Bachelor’s degree and ≥11 years related* experience, OR

• Master’s degree and ≥8 years related* experience, OR

• PhD or doctorate degree and ≥3 years related* experience.

*e.g., clinical trial management and trial execution; clinical site training/monitoring; medical and regulatory writing.

Required Experience and Skills:

• At least 3 years Phase 1 clinical trial experience.

• Experience developing, implementing, and managing immunology clinical programs and trials in healthy participants and/or patients to ensure efficient, timely execution against milestones under accelerated timelines; experience with immunology early patient trials (eg, Phase 1b patient trials in rheumatology, dermatology, and/or gastroenterology) preferred.

• Ability to think creatively, explore novel ways of working, and comfortably navigate ambiguity to drive results.

• Ability to solve complex problems and use independent judgment relating to regulations, guidelines, investigator interactions.

• Ability to quickly develop a working scientific knowledge of different therapeutic areas (ECSs have opportunities to support other therapeutic areas based on portfolio needs).

• Demonstrated excellence in complex project management and effectively managing multiple projects/priorities; work effectively across boundaries, applying an understanding of cultural differences to communication and collaboration practices.

• Demonstrated excellence in scientific, medical/safety writing, and reporting.
• Ability to independently work across functional areas to make data-driven decisions as well as proactively identify, appropriately escalate, and plan for mitigations to potential issues within a study, program or initiative.
• Proven ability to partner effectively with external teams to achieve results.

• Effective communication (written and oral), problem solving and analytical skills.

• Working knowledge of GCP, ICH guidelines and regulatory requirements.

• Ability to mentor junior staff.

• Demonstrated leadership or participation in a cross-functional initiative to address a business gap or process improvement.

• Must act with courage and candor.

Preferred Experience and Skills – An advanced degree is desirable. Global Phase 1 patient trials, safety reporting, and regulatory NDA/WMA submission experience a plus.

Required Skills:

Biomarker Assay Development, Biomarker Assay Development, Clinical Development, Clinical Reporting, Clinical Research, Clinical Site Management, Clinical Study Design, Clinical Trial Development, Clinical Trials Operations, Contingency Plan, Early Phase Clinical Trials, Enterprise Leadership, Ethical Compliance, Ethical Standards, Good Clinical Practice (GCP), Independent Thinking, Life Science, Medical Writing, Meeting Facilitation, Multiple Therapeutic Areas, Non-Disclosure Agreements, Patient Recruitment, Presentation Preparations, Project Management Leadership, Regulatory Compliance {+ 5 more}

Preferred Skills:

Current Employees apply HERE

Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

US 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:

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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 Acts

The primary location for this posting is:

USA - Pennsylvania - West Point

Where required by law, the compensation range for this role is provided below.

The salary range for the primary location of this role is:

$142,400.00 - $224,100.00

This range reflects the Company's reasonable expectation of the base salary applicable to this role at the time of 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.

Additional location(s): Please note the salary range above applies to the Primary Location of the position. Where a role has other listed locations, different compensation guidelines may apply. You may find the salary ranges for additional locations below. If the salary range is not listed for the location you are applying to, our Talent Acquisition team will provide further information to you relevant to your location.

Additional location(s) Compensation Information:

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

Los 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 Ordinance

Search 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:

Regular

Relocation:

Domestic

VISA Sponsorship:

No

Travel Requirements:

10%

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Hybrid

Shift:

Not Indicated

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

NA

Job Posting End Date:

11/14/2026

*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.