Principal Scientist, Nonclinical Drug Safety Program Discovery

Job Description Principal Scientist, Nonclinical Drug Safety Program Discovery - Equivalent in level to Scientific Director 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, primarily in the Immunology Therapeutic Area, but also Oncology, Cardiometabolic, Infectious Disease and/or Neuroscience 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. Qualifications, skills and experience needed: PhD in Toxicology, Pharmacology, Pathology, Biology, Biochemistry, Immunology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemistry, or related STEM 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.) and/or as non-clinical safety assessment representative to a cross-functional development and/or discovery teams. Demonstrated ability to successfully navigate cross-functional lines and drive team decision making in a matrix organizational structure. Highly dedicated, motivated, resilient, and flexible; capable of creative problem solving and delivering on goals and objectives in a timely fashion. Excellent team player who can work collaboratively with discovery team members from various functions, other DPLs and scientists responsible for study conduct and portfolio management. Excellent interpersonal skills, able to establish good working relationships within networks of employees of all levels. Excellent communicator who knows when and how to speak up, and appropriately raise issues to stakeholders and to management.

Preferred experience:

Background in immunology is preferred. Experience with biopharmaceutical and small molecule pharmaceutical development and/or discovery. Experience with regulatory submissions and responses. Member of pharmaceutical consortia and/or external scientific or professional organizations. #

EligibleforERP Required Skills:

Adaptabilidad, Colaboración profesional, Desarrollo de fármaco, Evaluación de seguridad, Inmunología, Inmunoterapia, Oncología, Pensamiento estratégico, Pensamiento innovador, Proceso de descubrimiento de fármacos, Productos de combinación, Redes de profesionales, Toxicología

Preferred Skills:

Current Employees apply HERE Current Contingent Workers apply HERE Solo para residentes en EE. UU. y

Puerto Rico:

Nuestra empresa está comprometida con la inclusión, velando para que las personas puedan participar en un proceso de contratación que muestre sus verdaderas capacidades. Haga clic aquí si necesita adaptaciones durante el proceso de solicitud o contratación. Somos un empleador que ofrece igualdad de oportunidades, comprometido con fomentar un lugar de trabajo inclusivo y diverso. Todos los solicitantes calificados recibirán consideración para el empleo sin distinción de raza, color, edad, religión, sexo, orientación sexual, identidad de género, origen nacional, estado de veterano protegido, o estado de discapacidad, u otras características protegidas legalmente aplicables. Para obtener más información sobre los derechos personales bajo las leyes de empleo de igualdad de oportunidades de los EE. UU., visite: EEOC Conozca sus derechos EEOC Suplemento GINA Transparencia de pago No discriminación Orgullosos de ser una empresa que adopta el valor de reunir a personas diversas, talentosas y comprometidas. La forma más rápida de lograr una innovación revolucionaria es cuando las ideas diversas se unen en un entorno inclusivo. Alentamos a nuestros colegas a desafiar respetuosamente el pensamiento de los demás y abordar los problemas de manera colectiva. Learn more about your rights, including under California, Colorado and other US State Acts 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.

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:

Contrato indefinido

Relocation:

Domestic VISA Sponsorship:

Yes Travel Requirements:

10%

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Hybrid Shift:

Not Indicated Valid Driving License:

No Hazardous Material(s): n/a

Job Posting End Date:

07/31/2026 •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. Nuestra compañía es líder mundial de atención de la salud con una cartera diversificada de medicamentos con receta, vacunas y productos de salud animal. La diferencia entre potencial y logro radica en la chispa que alimenta la innovación y la creatividad; este es el espacio donde hemos codificado nuestro legado durante más de un siglo. Nuestro éxito está respaldado por la integridad ética, el impulso hacia adelante y una misión inspiradora para lograr nuevos hitos en la atención sanitaria global.