Job Description
Job Summary:
We are seeking a Discovery Program Leader (DPL) to represent Nonclinical Drug Safety (NDS) on discovery research teams and in scientific and strategic review meetings focused primarily on immunology and oncology. This position requires exceptional leadership, collaboration, and independence, and a passion to work collaboratively across functions and sites to discover novel medicines that improve the lives of patients.
The Discovery Program Leader is responsible for defining and overseeing the NDS strategy for programs in all modalities (including small molecules, peptides, biologics and ADC programs) from Target Identification through to the approval of First-In-Human enabling GLP toxicity studies. They are responsible for 1) providing risk assessments for targets, 2) de-risking strategies for discovery programs and 3) collaborating with NDS staff at other sites to execute on the appropriate studies to support selection of therapeutic targets, and the identification and development of new drug candidates. The DPL may also serve on development teams with responsibility for defining the GLP toxicology study strategy and execution, and for the non-clinical safety sections of regulatory documents that support clinical trials and worldwide marketing authorization.
Represent NDS on discovery teams and participate in therapeutic area discovery governance committee reviews.
Promote and facilitate creative thinking from target identification/validation through lead optimization in Infectious Disease, Neuroscience, Immunology, Oncology, and/or Cardiometabolic Therapeutic Areas.
Be a “drug creator” and promoter of innovative thinking by influencing both cross-site disease area aligned groups, as well as functional area disciplines.
Identify and assess potential risks associated with therapeutic targets or development candidates using available literature, internal data, and external information.
The individual may also lead early development teams, informing on preclinical studies to support product development.
Qualifications, skills and experience needed:
Highly dedicated, motivated, resilient, and flexible; capable of creative problem solving and delivering on goals and objectives in a timely fashion.
Required Skills:
Clinical Safety, Finite Element Analysis (FEA), Good Lab Practices, Immuno-Oncology, Innovative Thinking, Matrix Management, Quality by Design, Regulatory Filings, Regulatory Submissions, Safety Management, Strategic Thinking, Technology Transfer, Toxicology
Preferred Skills:
Current Employees apply
Current Contingent Workers apply
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 if you need an accommodation during the application or hiring process.
The salary range for this role is
$176,200.00 - $277,300.00
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 .
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:
Hybrid
Shift:
1st - Day
Valid Driving License:
No
Hazardous Material(s):
N/A
Job Posting End Date:
10/9/2026
*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.
