Senior Director, Translational Pharmacology

Job Description

At our company, 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 are looking for an exceptional Senior Director and Lead to spearhead our cutting-edge West Point, Quantitative Biosciences (QB) Translational Pharmacology team. The ideal candidate will be a seasoned expert in pharmacology and drug discovery, responsible for guiding and inspiring a talented local team of pharmacologists and group leads. Beyond leadership, this role involves forging alliances with local therapeutic areas, championing new technologies, and interfacing with our global pharmacology network. The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in evolving our pharmacology organization into an industry trailblazer. If you are a dynamic collaborator with an unwavering passion for making a positive impact on global health, we want you to join us in our mission to save and improve lives globally.

In this role you will:

• Lead and manage a team of in vivo and in vitro translational pharmacologists and group leads, providing guidance, mentorship, accountability, and professional development opportunities.
• Collaborate with therapeutic & functional area leadership and program team members to understand the translational needs of pipeline programs and develop and execute strategies to address them.
• Serve as a strategic leader and champion within QB and across Discovery functions to mature our translational in vitro models capabilities at the company; These include everything from 2D cell cultures to 3D models to microphysiological systems.
• Participate in the operations, strategy advancement and talent development for the broader West Point QB organization as a member of its leadership team.
• Represent the QB/Pharmacology function at therapeutic area governance forums, program team meetings, due diligence exercises and/or cross-functional teams as needed.
• Foster a culture of innovation and continuous improvement within the QB team, driving the development and adoption of new methodologies and technologies.
• Ensure compliance with company established practices and procedures, including laboratory notebooks, computer files, quality and regulatory guidelines, and safety standards.
• Represent the company and the QB team at scientific conferences and industry events.

Qualifications:

Education:

• A Bachelor's (with 14 years), Master's (with 12 years) or Ph.D. (with 10 years) in Pharmacology, Biology, Biochemistry or a related field and relevant experience

Required Experience and Skills:

• Significant experience in leading in vitro and/or in vivo translational research in a drug discovery and development setting
• Familiarity with Neuroscience, Immunology, Infectious Diseases or Vaccines
• Strong leadership, management and mentoring skills, with an ability to lead through others, drive performance, make tough decisions, and foster a culture of collaboration and engagement
• A proven ability to lead a team of scientists, including group leads and a diverse set of pharmacology-related capabilities
• Proven track record of understanding complex biological mechanisms using pharmacological techniques
• Knowledge of in vivo and in vitro assays for preclinical drug discovery, translational models such as organoids and microphysiological systems, imaging, flow cytometry and laboratory operations
• Demonstrated ability to lead and influence cross-functional teams
• Excellent communication and presentation skills

Preferred Experience and Skills:

• Knowledge of lab operations to include automation

#EligibleforERP

Required Skills:
Biochemistry, Biology, Immunology, Infectious Disease, In Vitro Assays, In Vitro Research, In Vivo Assays, In Vivo Studies, Neuroscience, Organoid Culture, People Management, Pharmacology, Translational Research, Vaccine Development

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.

Learn more about your rights, including under California, Colorado and other US State Acts

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
$187,000.00 - $294,400.00

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:
Not Applicable

Shift:
1st - Day

Valid Driving License:
No

Hazardous Material(s):
N/A

Job Posting End Date:
11/30/2025
*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:R367797