Distinguished Scientist, Quantitative Biosciences/ Nonclinical Pharmacology

Job Description

We are committed to improving the health and well-being of people around the world. As a leading global pharmaceutical company, we strive to make a difference through innovative research, discovery, and development of life-saving medications and vaccines. With over a century of experience and a steadfast dedication to scientific excellence, we have become a trusted name in the industry. Join our team and be a part of our mission to create a healthier future for all.

We have an exciting opportunity for a Distinguished Scientist with deep experience spanning drug discovery, nonclinical pharmacology, and broader pharmaceutical Research and Development (R&D) to join our Quantitative Biosciences (QB) leadership team. Reporting to the Vice President and Global Head of QB, and partnering closely with discovery scientists across our global Discovery, Preclinical, & Translational Medicine (DPTM) organization, you will leverage your expertise in pharmacology, disease biology, and drug discovery to shape QB and network-wide strategy, guide project teams, and drive cross-functional collaboration. You will lead opportunity assessments and help advance therapeutic programs across broad disease areas and modalities (small molecules, biologics, and vaccines).

In this role, you will serve as a central scientific integrator for mechanistic pharmacology and translation within QB, ensuring pharmacology strategies directly enable SAR progression, differentiate mechanisms of action, and support confident translation into early clinical development.

If you thrive at the intersection of deep quantitative thinking, translational research, and enterprise influence—and are passionate about developing others and elevating decision quality across a global R&D organization—we invite you to join our purpose-driven team.

In this role you will:

• Serve as a scientific integrator, strategic partner, and chief-of-staff to the Vice President/ Global Department Head of Quantitative Biosciences and on the QB leadership team, shaping enterprise pharmacology & translational strategy in alignment with QB and DPTM priorities. 

• Drive clarity and alignment on pharmacology strategies that enable efficient SAR progression and translational confidence—ensuring approaches are fit-for-purpose, decision-focused, and avoid unnecessary complexity.

• Apply deep expertise in biochemical, cellular, and translational systems to:

  • Clarify mechanism-of-action & inform molecule differentiation at critical decision points

  • Guide fit-for-purpose assay and model strategies that streamline research operating plans (ROPs), and directly inform SAR and program progression

• Advise and mentor broadly across QB and DPTM, guiding scientists and multidisciplinary teams in assay selection/design/execution, mechanistic pharmacology, and translational science to accelerate programs, elevate rigor, and develop talent.

• Act as a trusted advisor on high-impact and complex programs, helping teams resolve key scientific uncertainties and translating complex data into clear, actionable insights that inform strategic and program-level decisions.

• Shape the QB pharmacology portfolio and resourcing strategy, contributing to early target and end-to-end nonclinical pharmacology planning across disease areas and modalities, and driving visibility through portfolio dashboards, resource planning, and stakeholder alignment.

• Assess and interpret the evolving external landscape, delivering actionable insights on competitive pipelines, emerging trends, and strategic opportunities through dashboards, analyses, and executive-ready recommendations.

• Partner closely with Business Development & Licensing (BD&L) as a scientific leader in pharmacology and quantitative biosciences, supporting asset evaluations, due diligence, and opportunity assessments across modalities and stages of R&D.

• Foster a culture of scientific rigor, critical thinking, and open dialogue, strengthening decision-making and elevating organizational capability.

• Promote a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performing environment aligned with company values and mission.

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in pharmacology, biology, or a related discipline, with deep expertise in mechanistic pharmacology, drug discovery, and preclinical development across modalities (small molecules, biologics, vaccines) ​Advanced degree (Ph.D.) preferred

Required Experience and Skills:

• 15+ years of proven leadership in a biopharmaceutical setting, with extensive research experience and a demonstrated impact on drug discovery and translational programs. Experience in cardiometabolic disease, obesity, oncology, and/or immunology strongly preferred, with a track record reflected in publications and scientific reputation.

• Deep expertise across pharmacology disciplines, including biochemical/biophysical, cellular, and in vivo pharmacology, PK/PD, IVIVC, and translational science.

• Proven ability to simplify complex scientific challenges into clear, actionable strategies, and to influence without authority across organizational boundaries to drive alignment, consistency, and high-quality decision-making.

• Strong executive communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to effectively partner with senior leaders, cross-functional teams, and external collaborators.

• Demonstrated experience in business development and licensing, including competitive landscape assessment, industry analysis, and scientific support for transactions and due diligence.

• Track record of mentoring and developing scientists across disciplines, elevating organizational capability beyond immediate teams.

• Experience in portfolio strategy and management, including dashboarding, data visualization, and resource planning.

• Ability to operate with agility in a dynamic environment, adapting to evolving priorities while maintaining strategic focus.

• A passion for scientific innovation, problem-solving, and developing others, coupled with strong written and verbal communication skills.

Required Skills:

Coaching, Cross-Functional Teamwork, Drug Development, Executive Presence, Influence, Mentorship, Pharmacology, Research Leadership, Strategic, Translational Research

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

$231,900.00 - $365,000.00

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/International

VISA Sponsorship:

Yes

Travel Requirements:

10%

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Hybrid

Shift:

1st - Day

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

n/a

Job Posting End Date:

07/10/2026

*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.