Principal Scientist (Scientific Director Level)– Nonclinical Drug Safety

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OtherScientific Director

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Requirements Summary

PhD in relevant field, DVM, MD degree or equivalent. Minimum 8+ years of demonstrated pharmaceutical industry experience as a non-clinical safety scientist (e.g. Toxicology, Pathology etc.

Technical Tools

OtherScientific Director

Job Summary:

We are seeking a Discovery Program Leader (DPL) to represent Nonclinical Drug Safety (NDS) on discovery research teams and in scientific and strategic review meetings focused primarily on immunology and oncology. This position requires exceptional leadership, collaboration, and independence, and a passion to work collaboratively across functions and sites to discover novel medicines that improve the lives of patients.

The Discovery Program Leader is responsible for defining and overseeing the NDS strategy for programs in all modalities (including small molecules, peptides, biologics and ADC programs) from Target Identification through to the approval of First-In-Human enabling GLP toxicity studies. They are responsible for 1) providing risk assessments for targets, 2) de-risking strategies for discovery programs and 3) collaborating with NDS staff at other sites to execute on the appropriate studies to support selection of therapeutic targets, and the identification and development of new drug candidates. The DPL may also serve on development teams with responsibility for defining the GLP toxicology study strategy and execution, and for the non-clinical safety sections of regulatory documents that support clinical trials and worldwide marketing authorization.

In this role you will:

Represent NDS on discovery teams and participate in therapeutic area discovery governance committee reviews.

Promote and facilitate creative thinking from target identification/validation through lead optimization in Infectious Disease, Neuroscience, Immunology, Oncology, and/or Cardiometabolic Therapeutic Areas.

Be a “drug creator” and promoter of innovative thinking by influencing both cross-site disease area aligned groups, as well as functional area disciplines.

Identify and assess potential risks associated with therapeutic targets or development candidates using available literature, internal data, and external information.

The individual may also lead early development teams, informing on preclinical studies to support product development.

Requirements

~1 min read

Clinical Safety, Finite Element Analysis (FEA), Good Lab Practices, Immuno-Oncology, Innovative Thinking, Matrix Management, Quality by Design, Regulatory Filings, Regulatory Submissions, Safety Management, Strategic Thinking, Technology Transfer, Toxicology

Regular

10%

Nice to Have

~1 min read

Current Employees apply HERE

Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

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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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The salary range for this role is

$176,200.00 - $277,300.00

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.

Domestic

Yes

Hybrid

1st - Day

N/A

10/9/2026