Senior Director, Clinical Research

Job Description

Job description

 Anti-infective drug development has been our core mission for over 80 years. Our Clinical Research group is at the forefront of global healthcare through research and innovation to combat established and emerging pathogens. Through clinical trials we ensure that our existing and pipeline products are developed to produce safe, effective, and innovative medicines, and we work with cross-functional colleagues in Global Medical and Scientific Affairs and Global Policy to ensure timely access to our medicines.

The Senior Director has primary responsibility for protocol development and medical/scientific oversight of clinical research studies involving investigational or marketed drugs in the infectious diseases therapeutic area. The individual will participate in all phases of the clinical trial process (mainly Phase 2-3) including study design, medical monitoring, and medical/scientific interpretation of study analyses, regulatory reporting, and publication. The individual will apply an in-depth understanding of the disease under study and drug pharmacology to the infectious disease therapeutic area’s clinical development strategy and the implementation of short- and long-term research objectives. They will provide internal scientific leadership for cross-functional areas supporting clinical development and external leadership through interaction with key scientific leaders.

 

Role may be remote

Specifically, the Senior Director may be responsible for:

· Planning clinical trials (design, operational plans) based on the clinical development strategies for investigational or marketed infectious disease drugs

· Monitoring and managing the conduct of ongoing or new clinical trials for investigational or marketed infectious disease drugs

· Analyzing and summarizing the clinical findings from studies to support decisions regarding safety and efficacy as well as new drug applications, clinical study reports, or publications

· Participation in internal and joint internal/external research project teams relevant to the development of investigational drugs, and the further study of marketed drugs

· Developing clinical development strategies for investigational or marketed infectious disease drugs

· Presenting study data and program strategic plans to internal governance committees for endorsement and key program milestones

 

The Senior Director is responsible for maintaining a strong scientific fund of knowledge by:

· Maintaining awareness of scientific developments within their area of expertise, including new scientific findings and research methodologies

· Establishing communications with prominent clinical investigators in their particular field of interest, particularly those scientifically and operationally strong investigators who can assist in the development of our company's investigational and marketed drugs

· Attending appropriate scientific meetings to maintain their competency and to maintain awareness of research activities in their area of responsibility.

To accomplish these goals, the Senior Director may:

· Author detailed development documents and presentations for internal and external audiences

· Author scientific publications

· Facilitate collaborations with external researchers around the world

· Travel on company business up to about 10% of the time to manage future or ongoing clinical research projects.

Qualifications

Education:

· M.D or M.D./Ph.D preferably with demonstrated expertise in infectious diseases

· Eligibility for medical licensure and board certification desirable

· An individual with postgraduate program yielding a PharmD degree and demonstrated expertise in clinical practice or clinical research may also be considered for the position

Requirements:

· Industry experience in clinical research and drug development (at least 5 years)

· Demonstrated success in overseeing clinical studies and protocols

· Demonstrated record of scientific scholarship and achievement

· Experience in clinical medicine

· Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written

· Strong interpersonal skills, as well as the ability to function in a team environment and leadership experience

 

Preferred

· Background in infectious diseases clinical research and drug development

· Prior experience with registrational trials and filing with major health authorities

Required Skills:

Animal Vaccination, Animal Vaccination, Clinical Development, Clinical Judgment, Clinical Medicine, Clinical Research Management, Clinical Trial Compliance, Clinical Trial Development, Clinical Trials, Data Analysis, Decision Making, Drug Development, Ethical Standards, Infectious Disease, Infectious Disease Research, Intellectual Curiosity, Interdisciplinary Problem Solving, Medical Research, Mentorship, Protocol Development, Regulatory Compliance, Regulatory Reporting, Scientific Consulting, Scientific Publications, Strategic Planning {+ 1 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.

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The salary range for this role is

$282,200.00 - $444,200.00

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:

Regular

Relocation:

Domestic

VISA Sponsorship:

Yes

Travel Requirements:

10%

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Remote

Shift:

1st - Day

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

N/A

Job Posting End Date:

06/20/2026

*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.

Requisition ID:R398753