Prin. Scientist, Clinical Research

Job Description

Clinical Director Oncology (Principal Scientist, MD)

Our Oncology team is dedicated to delivering breakthrough innovations that extend and improve the lives of cancer patients worldwide. Our team of forward-thinking individuals achieve this through an unwavering commitment to support accessibility to medicine, providing new therapeutic solutions, and collaborating with governments and payers to ensure that people who need medicines have access to them. Our focus is on innovation and launch execution excellence; we translate breakthrough science into innovative medicines that help people with cancer across the globe. We are currently recruiting for a Clinical Director Oncology (Principal Scientist, MD) to join our European Clinical Development (ECD) team.

You will join a dynamic and international team of other European Clinical Development Directors that work as part of the Global Clinical Development (GCD) group and other key functions to run global late-stage clinical trials in Oncology. You will operate in a highly collaborative environment, partnering with peers throughout Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) Region and the United States, to drive the success of Oncology and Hematology clinical trials with the aim of making new and effective therapies available to patients. You will also be able to supplement your research activities by taking advantage of the technologies and capabilities of the wider company network of sites and colleagues.

Due to the scope of this role, you can be based in any of the following locations: Switzerland (Zurich), Germany (Munich), Italy (Rome), Netherlands (Haarlem) or Spain (Madrid). Other European locations can also be potentially considered for candidates with the required skills and experience.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate pre-clinical and translational work for the purpose of generating early clinical development plans and Investigational New Drug applications

• Develop clinical development strategies for investigational or marketed Oncology drugs

• Plan clinical trials (design, operational plans, settings) based on these clinical development strategies

• Monitor and manage the conduct of ongoing or new clinical trials for investigational or marketed Oncology drugs

• Analyze and summarize the clinical findings from studies to support decisions regarding safety and efficacy and new drug applications, clinical study reports, or publication

• Participate in internal and joint internal/external research project teams relevant to the development of new compounds and the further study of marketed compounds

• Supervise the activities of Clinical Scientists in the execution of clinical studies

• Work closely with a cross-functional group of experts in commercialization, regulatory affairs, statistics, and manufacturing to manage clinical development projects

• Assist the Senior/Executive Director in ensuring that appropriate Corporate personnel are informed of the progress of studies of our competitors' drugs and internal and external expert opinion on scientific questions relevant to areas of responsibility

• Maintain awareness of scientific developments within the area of expertise, in terms of new scientific findings and research methodologies

• Identify scientifically and operationally strong investigators who can assist in the development of our company's investigational and marketed drugs

• Establish communications with prominent clinical investigators in the field of interest, particularly those who will be willing and able to assist in the evaluation of our drugs

• Attend appropriate scientific meetings to maintain competency and awareness of research activities in the area of responsibility

Qualifications

Required

• M.D or M.D./Ph.D

• Experience in industry or academia

• Demonstrated record of scientific scholarship and achievement

• Proven track record in clinical medicine and background in biomedical research

• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to function in a team environment

Preferred

• Board Certified in Oncology (and/or Hematology)

• Prior specific experience in clinical research and prior publication is desirable but not necessary

• Experience in hematology/oncology clinical development within the pharmaceutical industry

Required Skills:

Clinical Development, Clinical Trials, Drug Development, Hematology, Oncology

Preferred Skills:

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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:

No relocation

VISA Sponsorship:

No

Travel Requirements:

25%

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Hybrid

Shift:

Not Indicated

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

N/A

Job Posting End Date:

08/14/2026

*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.