Job DescriptionThe Senior Clinical Scientist provides scientific leadership for one or more clinical trials or key components of a clinical development program within the assigned therapeutic area. This role partners with Clinical Directors, Study Managers, Clinical Operations, Medical Monitoring, Data Management, Statistics, and Regulatory colleagues to ensure the scientific integrity, quality, and successful execution of clinical studies.The Senior Clinical Scientist applies expertise in disease biology, clinical research, and drug development to support study design, clinical data review, interpretation of results, and generation of scientific insights that inform development decisions and advance protocol objectives.Job Responsibilities:Clinical Development & Scientific Leadership- Serve as the lead Clinical Scientist for assigned clinical trial(s), providing scientific oversight from study planning through analysis and reporting.
- Contribute to the development of clinical protocols, protocol amendments, informed consent forms, case report forms, data review plans, and other study-related documents.
- Partner with Clinical Directors and cross-functional study teams to ensure study objectives, endpoints, assessments align with development strategy.
- Maintain knowledge of evolving scientific literature, treatment guidelines, competitive developments, and emerging therapies within the therapeutic area.
Clinical Data Review & Scientific Insights- Lead ongoing review and interpretation of clinical data to assess patient safety, protocol adherence, data quality, and study conduct.
- Collaborate with Medical Monitors and Clinical Directors to evaluate safety signals, protocol deviations, patient profiles, laboratory findings, and efficacy outcomes.
- Analyze and interpret clinical trial data to identify meaningful trends and generate scientific insights that support study deliverables
- Contribute to study reports, regulatory documents, publications, scientific presentations, and internal governance materials.
Cross-Functional Collaboration- Collaborate closely with Clinical Operations, Data Management, Programming, Biostatistics, and Regulatory Affairs to support high-quality study execution and delivery.
- Provide scientific expertise and guidance to study teams and mentor junior clinical scientists as appropriate.
- Effectively communicate complex scientific concepts and study findings to both technical and non-technical audiences.
- Influence decisions and drive alignment within a matrix-based global organization.
Rheumatology Expectations- Preferred candidates will possess an advanced scientific or clinical degree (PharmD, PhD, MD, DO, PA or ANRP) and experience supporting clinical development programs in Rheumatology, Immunology, Autoimmune, or Inflammatory Diseases.
Key Focus Areas- Strong understanding of rheumatologic disease biology, pathophysiology, and treatment paradigms for immune-mediated diseases.
- Ability to interpret efficacy, safety, biomarker, and patient-reported outcome data within the context of disease-specific endpoints and evolving standards of care.
- Experience conducting medical review of clinical trial data and contributing to safety and efficacy assessments.
- Ability to translate scientific findings into actionable insights that support clinical development strategy
- Demonstrated scientific curiosity and commitment to staying current with advancements in rheumatology research, disease mechanisms, and emerging treatment approaches.
Education & ExperienceRequired- Bachelor's degree with 5+ years, Master's degree with 3+ years, or equivalent experience in pharmaceutical, biotechnology, clinical research, drug development, or related medical fields.
Preferred- Advanced degree (PharmD, PhD, MD, DO, PA or ANRP).
- Experience in Rheumatology clinical development.
- Experience with protocol development, clinical data review, medical monitoring support, and cross-functional drug development teams.
clinicaltrialjobs
Required Skills: Clinical Data, Clinical Research, Clinical Study Design, Clinical Trials, Ethical Standards, ICH GCP Guidelines, Immunology, Medical Monitoring, Regulatory Compliance, Risk Management
Preferred Skills: Clinical Development, Study Design, Study Planning
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.
The salary range for this role is
$117,000.00 - $184,200.00
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:No relocation
VISA Sponsorship:No
Travel Requirements:10%
Flexible Work Arrangements:Not Applicable
Shift:1st - Day
Valid Driving License:No
Hazardous Material(s):N/A
Job Posting End Date:08/19/2026
*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. 
