Merck & Co, Inc

Senior Principal Scientist, Veterinary Pathology Board Certified

Merck & Co, Inc$231K — $365K *
Pharmaceuticals & Biotech
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) required; PhD in Immunology or related field preferred
  • 10+ years of pathologist experience in biotech, pharma, or CRO
  • Proven proficiency in histomorphologic evaluation and interpretation of toxicology studies
  • ACVP or ECVP-board certification in anatomic pathology preferred
  • Strong collaboration and communication skills are essential.

Responsibilities

  • Employ routine and specialized techniques to characterize safety profiles of new drugs
  • Independently analyze data and interpret postmortem evaluation significance
  • Lead scientific partnerships with cross-functional teams to assess toxicity mechanisms
  • Utilize industry-leading in vitro and in vivo assay capabilities
  • Contribute to the development of novel biomarkers and predictive models
  • Oversee design and execution of studies and regulatory strategies
  • Work collaboratively in a hybrid environment, sharing insights and learning among peers.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision healthcare benefits
  • Retirement benefits including 401(k)
  • Paid holidays, vacation, sick and compassionate days
  • Potential eligibility for annual bonuses and long-term incentives
  • Opportunity for career growth and collaborative work experiences.
Full Job Description
Job Description

Our Company's Research Laboratories nonclinical drug safety department at West Point, Pennsylvania site is seeking an experienced anatomic pathologist to join a highly collaborative team of scientists (12 anatomic pathologists, 3 clinical pathologists, and approximately 40 exceptional laboratory scientists), working at a GLP-compliant facility with state-of-the-art anatomic, molecular and clinical pathology laboratories. This role is intended for an accomplished Pathologist with proven toxicological pathology and drug development experience with preferably immunology and biologics expertise who operates as a recognized subject-matter expert and influences strategy from early discovery through late-stage development. Our team works on a varied pipeline, participating in a wide variety of GLP-toxicology study types, many of which are run in-house, in addition to early discovery and investigative studies.

Pathologists at our company are integral members and leaders of collaborative cross functional scientific teams, addressing challenges from early discoveries to late development. Our Company's pathologists provide scientific leadership in the design and conduct of postmortem evaluation of studies and integrate the interpretation of postmortem data into the safety profile of drug candidates. Our Company's pathologists have a variety of opportunities to learn and grow as professional scientists and drug developers through daily study related activities and collaborative works with multiple program development teams.

Key responsibilities for this scientific role include:
  • Employ both routine H&E evaluations as well as other specialized techniques to characterize the safety profile of new drugs from toxicology and investigative studies
  • Work independently to analyze data, interpret and determine the significance of results for postmortem evaluations, review literature and design experiments to help teams solve scientific problems and advance programs
  • Demonstrate scientific leadership with partnering broadly with toxicology, safety pharmacology, and translational teams to define mechanisms of toxicity, assess human relevance, and guide risk mitigation strategies for programs including immunology and biologics programs.
  • Utilizing additional tools and applications that are all available on-site, including:
  • An industry-leading suite of on-site in vitro and in vivo assay capabilities
  • Access to robust historical controls slide archive and data base
  • Digital Pathology
  • Transmission electron microscopy
  • Immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization
  • Quantitative digital image analysis and targeted machine learning applications
  • Contribute to developing novel biomarkers and predictive models to de-risk drug candidates for safety-related liabilities
  • Our Company's pathologists also serve as nonclinical drug safety department leads on drug development teams, overseeing the design and execution of studies, and generation of regulatory strategy and communications with global regulatory agencies to support the development of drug candidates
  • Our Company's pathologists work in a hybrid work environment and routinely interact with each other, share slides and opinions/experiences, and help each other learn and grow


Minimum education required:
  • Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM)


Preferred:
  • PhD in Immunology, Toxicology, Pathology, or related discipline


Required experience and skills:
  • 10 years or more experience as a pathologist in biotech, pharma or at a CRO
  • Demonstrated proficiency in histomorphologic evaluation and interpretation of toxicology studies
  • Love to collaborate with varied cross-functional teams and communicate openly and often with colleagues
  • Residency in anatomic / toxicologic pathology
  • ACVP, ECVP-board certification or equivalent in anatomic pathology


Preferred experience and skills:
  • Strong knowledge of drug discovery, development and regulatory processes, including experience on drug development project teams
  • Experience in supporting immunology and biologics programs
  • Experience serving as pathology lead for programs, or external due diligence as lead or subject matter expertise
  • Strong scientific leadership beyond individual studies, demonstrated growth and enterprise mindset, including cross-functional partnership, and cross -program influence and mentoring/management of other pathologists


Required Skills:
Analytical Assays, Analytical Assays, Assay Development, Biomedical Sciences, Biotechnology, Clinical Assays, Clinical Data Interpretation, Clinical Judgment, Clinical Safety, Drug Development, Drug Discovery Research, Drug Research, Histopathology, Immunochemistry, Immunology Research, Innovation, In Vitro Research, In Vivo Models, Laboratory Processes, Medical Biology, Molecular Diagnostic Techniques, Pathogenesis, Pharmaceutical Research, Post Mortem Analysis, Safety Pharmacology {+ 3 more}

Preferred Skills:

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
$231,900.00 - $365,000.00

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/International

VISA Sponsorship:
Yes

Travel Requirements:
No Travel Required

Flexible Work Arrangements:
Hybrid

Shift:
Not Indicated

Valid Driving License:
No

Hazardous Material(s):
N/A

Job Posting End Date:
09/10/2026
*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.

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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