Distinguished Scientist, Clinical Research, Vaccines

Job Description

Our Clinical Research and Pharmacovigilance team pushes the boundaries of global healthcare through research and innovation. Through clinical trials and surveillance, we ensure the safety and efficacy of our existing and pipeline products to produce safe, effective, innovative medicine.

The Clinical Director is responsible for protocol development and medical/ scientific oversight of clinical research studies involving new or marketed drugs in the Vaccines Clinical Research group. They will be responsible for all phases of the trial process, including but not limited to the design, oversight and medical monitoring of Phase I to V clinical trials, preparation of progress reports and summaries regarding vaccine safety and efficacy, as well as analysis, interpretation, and reporting of final clinical trial results.

In addition to responsibilities associated with clinical research, the Clinical Director at this level will be expected to lead a Product Development Team (PDT) through late-phase clinical development and into post-licensure life-cycle management. This role demands scientific depth, strategic leadership, and the ability to operate at the highest level within a diverse, cross-functional organization. As PDT Leader, the incumbent will be accountable for developing and executing integrated development plans that align clinical, medical affairs, commercial, manufacturing, regulatory, analytical, and epidemiological disciplines to ensure cohesive program execution and optimized product value throughout its lifecycle.

Responsibilities also include the presentation of research findings at national and international scientific meetings and preparation of manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed journals. The Clinical Director will also contribute to establishing Vaccine Clinical Development Strategies and executing short- and long term research objectives. They will provide internal scientific leadership for cross-functional areas supporting clinical trials and will interact externally with key opinion leaders.

Education:

• MD or MD/PhD

Required Experience and Skills:

• Minimum of 3 years of clinical medicine experience
• Minimum of 5 years of industry experience in drug development with demonstrated success in overseeing multiple studies and protocols through completion
• Experience in authoring regulatory documents and leading discussions with regulatory agencies
• Demonstrated record of scientific scholarship and achievement
• Proven track record in clinical medicine and background in biomedical research
• Outstanding interpersonal and collaborative skills, as well as the ability to function in a matrix environment
• Excellence in delivering clear, impactful communication verbally, in writing, and during presentations

Preferred Experience and Skills:

• Board-certified or eligible in a vaccine-related clinical field such as Internal Medicine, Obstetrics-Gynecology, Family Medicine, or Pediatrics.
• Prior specific experience in clinical research and prior publication record

Required Skills:
Clinical Development, Clinical Studies, Clinical Trials, Clinical Trials Monitoring, Collaborating, Cross-Functional Teamwork, Drug Development, Leadership, Scientific Leadership, Vaccine Development, Vaccine Safety

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.

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U.S. Hybrid Work Model

Effective September 5, 2023, employees in office-based positions in the U.S. will be working a Hybrid work consisting of three total days on-site per week, Monday - Thursday, although the specific days may vary by site or organization, with Friday designated as a remote-working day, unless business critical tasks require an on-site presence.This Hybrid work model does not apply to, and daily in-person attendance is required for, field-based positions; facility-based, manufacturing-based, or research-based positions where the work to be performed is located at a Company site; positions covered by a collective-bargaining agreement (unless the agreement provides for hybrid work); or any other position for which the Company has determined the job requirements cannot be reasonably met working remotely. Please note, this Hybrid work model guidance also does not apply to roles that have been designated as "remote".

The salary range for this role is
$304,800.00 - $479,800.00

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 .

You can apply for this role through (or via the Workday Jobs Hub if you are a current employee). The application deadline for this position is stated on this posting.

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:

VISA Sponsorship:

Travel Requirements:

Flexible Work Arrangements:
Hybrid

Shift:

Valid Driving License:

Hazardous Material(s):

Job Posting End Date:
11/7/2025
*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.

Requisition ID: R369584