Job Description

Our Company's Discovery Immunology groups are developing a world class pipeline to treat immune mediated diseases across Gastroenterology, Rheumatology and Dermatology. We are seeking an exceptional scientific leader with deep expertise in Immunology Discovery and Translational Research to join our vibrant Research & Discovery team in San Diego in our journey to discover and develop the next generation of best-in-class medicines that will raise the therapeutic ceiling in the treatment of immune-driven diseases.

This role will report to the Associate Vice President, Immunology Discovery. This position will serve as Discovery Immunology Project lead on early-stage immunology programs, driving projects from scientific rationale for target ID through translational research, target validation, differentiation, derisking, modality selection, and overall strategy through the Discovery stages.

This scientific leader will also play a key role in building and executing the translational research strategy for Immunology. This is a strategic role that will sit at the interface of Discovery, Biomarkers and Early Development, and will also interact and influence the design and execution of translational data generation from internal clinical studies. The individual will also play an important role in identifying, managing and executing translational research collaborations with academic scientific researchers and CROs. Previous experience in translational science research with a focus on acquisition of disease patient samples and multi-omics data generation and interpretation in collaboration with computational/Data science partners are key attributes.

Collaborating with Discovery Biologics, Chemistry, Quantitative Biology, Computational Scientists, Translational Medicine and other functions at Our Company, you will be defining and executing the discovery and translational strategy for multiple programs. The role also will be responsible for early discovery programs, translational data and biomarker discovery for portfolio pipeline programs in immunology and its successful and timely transition into Early Development.

Key Responsibilities:

• Work with the Associate Vice President Immunology Discovery SD Research & Development Division and other project leads on site as well as other Research & Development Division Immunology Discovery sites to define and execute drug discovery immunology programs in the portfolio as part of the Immunology TA strategy.

• Closely collaborate with a cross-functional group of experts across Our Company to design and execute the Research Operating Plan to advance projects through Discovery.

• Lead the discovery and creation of cellular, molecular and functional assays required for design and execution of the Research Operating Plan to advance projects through Discovery and toward early development.

• Partner closely with cross functional colleagues, including Computational Scientists (DAGS), modelers, PKPD, to advance projects forward through stages of Discovery.

• Lead the discovery and creation of cellular, molecular and functional assays that serve as biomarkers for prosecution of programs as they advance through the Discovery stages toward Early Development.

• Contribute to discovery and creation of translational data strategy for immunology including partnering internally and externally in the generation of actionable science packages to identify, validate and execute novel targets implicated in the pathogenesis of TA disease areas including diseases in the Derm, Rheum and GI areas.

• Collaborate with Translational Medicine and Biomarker colleagues for programs moving toward Early Development to ensure transition of early discovery biomarkers and biomarkers plans for execution during development stages.

• Champion the use of new technologies and modalities to drive discovery and prosecution of novel targets in immunological disease through various modalities and approaches including small molecules, peptides, biologics, T cell engagers and others.

• Actively contribute to the overall company's Immunology TA strategy.

• Maintaining awareness of scientific developments within area of expertise, in terms of new scientific findings, research methodologies, novel platforms and modalities.

• Attend appropriate scientific meetings to maintain cutting edge knowledge and competency in the field.

Qualifications:

Required Experience and Skills:

• PhD in Immunology/Cell biology or related field, with 10+ years of immunology research and drug development experience, MS with 15+ years of immunology research experience, or BS with 20+ years of immunology research experience. Must have at least 7 years of direct industry experience.

• Knowledge and experience of immune-mediated diseases including a strong understanding of molecular pathways driving disease and of relevant clinical trial results and competitive landscape in immunology and autoinflammation.

• Prior experience shaping and executing in discovery research and drug development in the field of immunology with a focus on autoimmune/inflammatory diseases

• Experience in compound (small molecules, biologics, other modalities) discovery and design for a variety of relevant disease targets.

• Prior experience in ideating, establishing, and executing translational research strategies in immune diseases, including strategic fit, coordination of data generation and interpretation with computational scientist and other functions.

• Experience developing clinically relevant biomarkers for target engagement and pharmacodynamic measures.

• A minimum of 5 years of direct management experience overseeing multiple teams and proven leadership with the ability to align, motivate and empower team members and a demonstrated passion for team building and talent development.

• Strong awareness of safety and environmental requirements.

• A good understanding of integration and partnering necessary for pharmaceutical development with Translational Medicine, Clinical, CMC, Regulatory, Operations, and other functional areas.

• Effective communication, collaboration, and negotiation skills with the ability to work with senior level managers in meeting venues that include multiple cross-functional representatives.

• Participate in cross functional collaboration and support in the preparation of INDs and other submissions to health agencies for human clinical studies.

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:

EEOC Know Your Rights

EEOC GINA Supplement​

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

#EligibleforERP

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:

EEOC Know Your Rights

EEOC GINA Supplement​

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

VISA Sponsorship:

No

Travel Requirements:

10%

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Not Applicable

Shift:

Not Indicated

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

N/a

Required Skills:

Autoimmune Diseases, Biomarker Discovery, Biomarkers, Disease Models, Drug Development, Drug Discovery Process, Immunoassays, Immunogenicity, Immunology, Immunopathology, Inflammatory Diseases, Mechanism of Action, Professional Networking, Project Team Development, Rheumatology, Social Collaboration, Stakeholder Management, Translational Medicine, Translational Research

Preferred Skills:

Atopic Dermatitis, Dermatology, Gastrointestinal Disease, Inflammatory Bowel Diseases, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Ulcerative Colitis

Job Posting End Date:

10/20/2025

*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.