Merck & Co, Inc

Director, Discovery Oncology, Reverse Translation

Merck & Co, Inc$194K — $305K *
Pharmaceuticals & Biotech
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Ph.D. in a STEM field (Biology, Immunology, etc.) with 8+ years or M.S. with 10+ years of industry experience.
  • Extensive background in discovery or translational research.
  • Proven ability to convert clinical insights into new therapeutic strategies.
  • Experience managing senior and junior scientists with a focus on project leadership.
  • Strong relationship-building skills in multidisciplinary teams.
  • Excellent attention to detail and strong communication skills.

Responsibilities

  • Lead efforts to translate clinical findings into innovative discovery strategies.
  • Ensure progress on critical pipeline milestones, addressing resistance mechanisms.
  • Contribute expertise to the evaluation of promising molecules and technologies.
  • Actively participate in strategic planning and team development as part of the leadership team.
  • Cultivate a high-performance culture emphasizing collaboration and inclusion.
  • Build robust cross-disciplinary relationships across Boston and San Francisco.
  • Drive the implementation of new therapeutic combinations and molecular designs.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive healthcare benefits (medical, dental, vision) for employees and family.
  • Retirement benefits, including 401(k) options.
  • Paid holidays, vacation, and compassionate/sick leave.
  • Annual bonus and long-term incentive eligibility.
Full Job Description

Job Description

Discovery Oncology is seeking a visionary and driven people leader to translate the deep clinical knowledge of our Company into unique insights and new therapeutic opportunities. This Director will lead a cross-site team based inBoston and San Francisco, with the position locatedin person in Boston. The successful candidate will be responsible for driving a discovery strategy grounded inreverse translation, bringing insights from the clinic back into discovery to shape programs, inform target and modality selection, and accelerate our Company's robust pipeline of compelling medicines. They will partner across our Company to help build our Discovery Oncology strategy. This leader will work tightly with clinical, translational, data science, and quantitative biosciences colleagues to test translational findings across all therapeutic modalities. The successful candidate will have a strong record of scientific excellence, realization of actionable translational findings, deep collaborative spirit, thoughtful strategic planning, and inspiring people leadership.

Responsibilities

  • Be a creative and forward-thinking leader to reverse translate our clinical learnings into actionable discovery strategy, novel therapeutic combinations, and new molecular design.

  • Deliver on milestones key to pipeline advancement, such as solutions to mechanisms of resistance across our Oncology pipeline, including large and small molecules.

  • Contribute your expertise and vision to business development evaluations of molecules, technologies, or platforms of interest to our Company.

  • As a member of the Discovery Oncology Leadership team, meaningfully contribute to the development and execution of strategy and the growth and development of staff.

  • Foster a high-performance culture of collaboration, engagement, self-accountability, and inclusion.

  • Establish strong relationships within highly collaborative, multidisciplinary teams across the Boston and San Francisco sites.

Required Qualifications / Education

  • Ph.D. in Biology, Immunology, Biochemistry, Pharmacology, Toxicology, Bioengineering, Biotechnology, Oncology, Biophysics, Biologics, or a related STEM field with 8+ years of post-degree experience in industry or equivalent,orM.S. with 10+ years of experience.

  • Extensive background in discovery or translational research.

  • A proven track record of actioning clinical learnings into new molecular design and therapeutic approaches

  • Experience managing a group of senior and junior scientists with a track record of achievements, including project leadership and strategic contributions.

  • Ability to build strong relationships within highly collaborative, multidisciplinary teams to effectively drive actionable findings.

  • Excellent attention to detail and strong communication skills, both oral and written.

  • Highly self-motivated and capable of prioritizing deliverables among multiple projects.

Preferred Experience and Skills

  • Experience working across oncology modalities, including large molecules, small molecules, and other therapeutic platforms.

  • Strong understanding of resistance biology, biomarker strategy, and translational decision-making.

  • Experience influencing portfolio strategy in a matrixed environment.

  • Prior success leading cross-site teams and building a collaborative culture across geographies.

#EligibleforERP

Required Skills:

Biologics, Drug Discovery Research, Drug Target Identification, Mentorship, Molecular Biology, Oncology, People Leadership, Small Molecules, Target Validation, Translational Research

Preferred Skills:

Current Employees apply

Current Contingent Workers apply

US and Puerto Rico Residents Only:

The salary range for this role is

$194,100.00 - $305,600.00

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 employees 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 .

You can apply for this role through (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:

Yes

Travel Requirements:

10%

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Not Applicable

Shift:

Not Indicated

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

N/a

Job Posting End Date:

06/30/2026

*A job posting is effective until 11:59:59PM on the day BEFOREthe listed job posting end date. Please ensure you apply to a job posting no later than the day BEFORE the job posting end date.

About Merck & Co, Inc

Schering-Plough Corporation is a major U.S.-based manufacturer of pharmaceuticals. It operates in three segments: Prescription Pharmaceuticals, Animal Health, and Consumer Health Care. Schering-Plough develops products targeting on allergy, cancer, hepatitis, cardiovascular, central nervous system, respiratory system, and more.  It was founded in 1851 by Ernst Christian Friedrich Schering as Schering AG in Germany. Schering-Plough manufactured several pharmaceutical drugs, the most well-known of which were the allergy drugs Claritin and Clarinex, an anti-cholesterol drug Vytorin, and a brain tumor drug Temodar. It also developed drugs targeting on central nervous system and the respiratory system. Schering Plough also owned and operated the major foot care brand name Dr. Scholl's and the skin care line Coppertone. These also became a part of the new company. Schering-Plough was a full member of the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA), a membership which is also maintained by the new Merck.

Merck & Co, Inc Careers

Join the visionary team at Merck & Co, Inc, a global leader in healthcare dedicated to advancing the world of medicine. As part of our professional community, you'll find dynamic job opportunities that foster innovation and leadership across various fields. Merck & Co, Inc is not just a company; it's a place where you can make a difference.

Work You’ll Do

At Merck & Co, Inc, we are committed to improving global health through groundbreaking research and innovative healthcare solutions. Our team is at the forefront of developing new therapies and vaccines that significantly impact public health worldwide. By joining us, you will collaborate with some of the brightest minds in the industry, using your skills to contribute to projects that save and improve lives around the globe.

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Whether you're seeking an internship, a graduate opportunity, or a professional position, Merck & Co, Inc offers a range of career paths in environments that promote rapid professional growth and development. Explore job opportunities in research, digital transformation, manufacturing, and more, all while benefiting from a culture that supports diversity and inclusion.

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Merck & Co, Inc is an ideal environment for those who lead with curiosity and the drive to innovate. Our leadership is committed to fostering a culture where inventive thinking and collaboration are encouraged, making it a perfect place for professionals who seek to make an impact through their work.

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With Merck & Co, Inc, you are not just getting a job; you're gaining access to unparalleled career development opportunities. Enhance your skills through diverse training programs, workshops, and continuous learning courses designed to help you grow at every stage of your career.

Benefits and Culture

We understand that our employees are our greatest asset, which is why we offer competitive benefits designed to support the health and well-being of you and your family. From comprehensive health care coverage and retirement plans to flexible working conditions and wellness programs, our benefits package is designed to meet the diverse needs of our team members.

Join Our Team

Ready to advance your career at Merck & Co, Inc? Search open positions that match your skills and interests. We are continuously hiring and looking for passionate, creative, and solution-driven team players. Prepare your resume, sharpen your interview skills, and become part of a company that's dedicated to making a difference.

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Learn more about Merck & Co, Inc
Size
68,000 employees
Market Cap
$282.6 billion
Industry
Net Income
$7 billion
Founded
1668
5 Year Trend
+4.1%
Revenue
$47.9 billion
NASDAQ

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