Merck
Sr. Dir, Biology-Discovery
USA - Massachusetts - Cambridge (320 Bent Street) · Senior · Contract
Sponsorship not specified$194k-$306kDetected 4 days ago
Data ScienceBusiness DevelopmentNegotiationHRISClinical TrialsPharmacovigilanceResearchAnimal StudiesAnimal ModelsLeadershipCommunicationCollaborationPublic Speaking
About the role
- The role will guide hypothesis-driven mechanistic, preclinical, in vivo, and biomarker studies, translating complex data into clear recommendations that inform decisions across the portfolio.
- This strategic and highly visible role sits at the interface of Discovery, Biomarkers, and Early Development, with responsibility for influencing translational data generation from internal clinical studies and external collaborations.
- Success in this role will require the ability to work effectively across functions, including with Clinical, Commercial, and Medical Affairs counterparts.
Responsibilities
- Lead and mentor a high-performing translational and biomarker research team, setting scientific direction, prioritizing portfolio opportunities, and fostering a collaborative, rigorous, and innovative culture.
- Drive the translational and biomarker research portfolio by identifying and advancing opportunities to interrogate assets through strategically structured experiments, including in vitro systems, ex vivo studies using selected patient samples, and animal models, ensuring clear linkage among mechanism of action, disease biology, PK/PD, and translatable clinical endpoints.
- Oversee and guide the team in the design and execution of translational experimental plans, analysis strategies, and forward- and reverse-translational research studies in collaboration with internal teams and external partners, ensuring operational feasibility, fit-for-purpose approaches, and readiness for FIH/PoC studies aligned with early development indication plans.
- Maintain and share awareness of scientific developments within the area of expertise, including new findings, research methodologies, novel platforms, and emerging modalities, to strengthen team capability and portfolio decision-making.
- Engage scientific investigators, KOLs, and external partners to enable high-quality execution, scientific exchange, and strategic collaboration.
Requirements
- Required Experience and
- Education:
- Bachelor's (with 20+ years), Master's (with 18+ 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 in ideating, establishing, and executing translational research strategies in immune diseases, including strategic fit, coordination of data generation and interpretation with computational scientists and other functions
- Prior experience shaping and executing in discovery research and drug development in the field of immunology with a focus on autoimmune/inflammatory diseases
- Experience developing clinically relevant biomarkers for target engagement and pharmacodynamic measures
- A minimum of five 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
- 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
Nice to have
- Preferred Skills:
Skills
- Strong awareness of safety and environmental requirements
- 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.
- For more information about personal rights under the U.S. Equal Opportunity Employment laws, visit:
- EEOC Know Your Rights
- EEOC GINA Supplement
- Learn more about your rights, including under California, Colorado and other US State Acts
- The salary range for this role is
- $194,100.00 - $305,600.00
Compensation
- The salary range for this role is
Company info
- 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.
- 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.
Equal opportunity
- Employment laws, visit:
- 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.
- 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.
Visa & Work Authorization
- VISA Sponsorship:
This listing is sourced directly from Merck's careers page and normalized into a canonical job model.