Sr. Director, Epidemiology - Hematology

Job Description

Under the general direction of the AVP, Epidemiology, the Senior Director, Epidemiology has lead management and oversight responsibility for epidemiologic activities conducted by epidemiologists of his/her team on assigned company assets and indications and provides broad leadership and direction on scientific and operational aspects of epidemiologic research.  The primary focus of this position is hematology.

Key responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

• Has overall responsibility for the management and scientific oversight of a small team of epidemiologists in hematology supporting multiple assets and indications. Provides guidance to team members on the planning, design, and execution of epidemiologic studies/ activities related to clinical development support; safety and effectiveness, including post-licensure commitments; endpoint strategy; and observational research methodology. Supervised by the Oncology therapy area AVP within the Epidemiology department.

• Reviews regulatory documents, study protocols and reports, and publications within assigned assets and indications to ensure scientific integrity and alignment with company strategies and plans.

• Makes key epidemiologic decisions and is accountable for deliverables (strategies, plans, timelines, and reports) and for study budgets for the team. Executes independently.

• In addition to team oversight responsibility, has asset-level responsibilities across relevant indications.

• Presents epidemiologic research plans and results to internal review and governance committees.  Participates in interactions with regulatory agencies and health authorities such as FDA, EMA, CDC, WHO. 

• Expert epidemiologic, regulatory, and leadership skills to set epidemiology strategy for assets/ indications.  Has a proven track record of serving as the lead in the planning, conduct, analysis, and reporting of epidemiologic studies. 

• Strong problem-solving skills for asset development strategy, regulatory strategy, scientific interpretation of results, and solving operational issues.  Problem solving may also involve personnel matters and cross-functional/cross-divisional matters. 

• Expert skills in people management, mentoring, collaboration, teamwork, multi-tasking, and communication.  Responsible for performance management, expense report approval, recruiting, project assignments, resource allocation, employee development, and coaching/mentorship.

• Contributes to our company's prestige by maintaining recognition as an expert in his/her field; may publish independent scientific research in leading journals, participate in and present at scientific organizations and meetings, and serve as a peer reviewer for scientific journals. 

• May participate in external strategic initiatives (e.g., DIA, PhRMA, BIO consortia) that are important to our company.  May hold academic appointments, teach graduate courses, and supervise Ph.D. dissertations and post-doctoral fellows.

Number of direct reports: 4 to 5

Education Minimum Requirement:

• Required: MA/MS in Epidemiology with 8 years of relevant work experience. 

• Preferred: PhD in Epidemiology (or related field) or MD degree with additional research training in Epidemiology. 

Experience and Skills:

Required:                                  

• Minimum of 8 years of relevant work experience, preferably in the pharmaceutical or biotech industry

• People management experience

• Extensive experience in the successful direction of large epidemiologic projects; broad knowledge and experience in the application of epidemiologic approaches to problems in the Pharmaceutical or Biotechnology industry; and record of research publications in peer-reviewed journals

• Creative problem-solving ability and excellent communication skills (oral and written)

• 5% Travel

Preferred:

• Training and experience in leading and conducting oncology epidemiologic studies and activities with an emphasis on hematology and biomarkers are preferred for this position.

Required Skills:

Biopharmaceuticals, Biopharmaceutics, Clinical Development, Data Management, Endocrinology, Epidemiology, Executive Oversight, Hematology, Human Resource Management, Methods and Tools, Multitasking, Pathophysiology, People Management, Regulatory Compliance, Researching, Stakeholder Relationship Management, Strategic Planning, Technical Advice

Preferred Skills:

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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

$190,800.00 - $300,300.00

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:

Regular

Relocation:

Domestic

VISA Sponsorship:

No

Travel Requirements:

10%

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Hybrid

Shift:

Not Indicated

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

n/a

Job Posting End Date:

06/17/2026

*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.