Associate Principal Scientist, In Vivo Pharmacology

Job Description

At our company, we are committed to improving the health and well-being of people around the world. As a leading global pharmaceutical company, we strive to make a difference through innovative research and development of life-saving medications and vaccines. Our company's Research Laboratories in South San Francisco is seeking a highly motivated and accomplished Associate Principal Scientist to join our Quantitative Biosciences (Pharmacology) department. This role will focus on developing in vivo pharmacology strategy and pharmacodynamics (PD) and efficacy models for cardiometabolic, renal, and respiratory diseases, as well as establishing quantitative PK/PD relationship and preclinical proof-of-concept. Working with a team of multidisciplinary scientists, this individual will apply knowledge of translational animal models, in vivo technology platforms, and quantitative pharmacology to advance pipeline of therapeutic programs. The ideal candidate will possess strong technical skills and deep scientific expertise to manage complex projects both internally and with external partners.

Key Responsibilities:

• Drive in vivo pharmacology strategy: Act as a scientific leader, defining and executing in vivo model development and pharmacology strategy for preclinical programs. Design and execute target engagement, PD, and efficacy studies, ensuring high scientific and ethical standards. Provide expert troubleshooting for complex surgical and study protocols.
• Leverage disease area expertise for project support: Apply relevant knowledge and expertise in the pathogenesis of cardiometabolic, renal, or respiratory disorders to guide model selection and prioritization.

• Lead model development & validation: Drive the development, characterization, and selection of relevant in vivo models for target validation, compound screening and characterization, and mechanism-of-action studies.

• Collaborate with cross-functional groups (Biology, Med Chem, DMPK, Safety, etc.) to enable a comprehensive pharmacology strategy that enables robust assessment of target engagement, in vitro/in vivo correlation, PK/PD relationship, and human dose projection.

• Data analysis, interpretation, and reporting: Perform rigorous data analysis, interpret key findings, and translate complex results into actionable insights that inform on project decisions. Maintain experimental documentation and contribute to internal reports, governance discussions, regulatory submissions, and publications.

• CRO and external partner management: Work effectively with internal stakeholders and external partners on the design and execution of studies, ensuring data quality and timely delivery of results.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education:

• Bachelor's (with 12+ years), Master's (with 8+ years) or Ph.D./PharmD/DVM/MD (with 4+ years) in Pharmacology or a relevant scientific discipline and relevant drug discovery experience.

Required Experience and Skills:

• Quantitative and translational pharmacology expertise with a solid understanding of key pharmacology concepts including target occupancy, in vitro/in vivo correlation, PK/PD, translational biomarker, and methods for human does projection.

• Proven record of success in preclinical in vivo model development and implementation. Strong expertise in cardiovascular physiology and in vivo methodologies such as rodent surgical skills for cardiometabolic, renal, or respiratory disease models.

• Highly skilled in the design and execution of animal studies to evaluate target engagement, PK/PD, efficacy and safety profiles of drug candidates, with a range of in vivo and ex vivo techniques.

• Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail, with a proven ability to manage complex preclinical projects. Strong teamwork and communication skills, with an ability to collaborate effectively in a cross-functional matrix environment.

• Strong work ethic and flexibility, able to respond quickly to shifting priorities and multitasking needs. Must be willing to work onsite five days per week.

Preferred Experience and Skills:

• Experience with in vivo imaging techniques (ultrasound, MRI, optical imaging, etc.).

• Prior experience working with multiple therapeutic modalities (small molecule, peptide, biologic, etc.)

#EligibleforERP 

Required Skills:

Biomarker Research, Cardiovascular Diseases, Cardiovascular Physiology, Cardiovascular Research, In Vivo Pharmacology, Pharmacology, Renal Physiology, Respiratory Pharmacology, Translational Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics (PKPD)

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.

As an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, we provide equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.  As a federal contractor, we comply with all affirmative action requirements for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.  For more information about personal rights under the U.S. Equal Opportunity Employment laws, visit:

EEOC Know Your Rights

EEOC GINA Supplement​

We are proud to be a company that embraces the value of bringing together, talented, and committed people with diverse experiences, perspectives, skills and backgrounds. The fastest way to breakthrough innovation is when people with diverse ideas, broad experiences, backgrounds, and skills come together in an inclusive environment. We encourage our colleagues to respectfully challenge one another’s thinking and approach problems collectively.

Learn more about your rights, including under California, Colorado and other US State Acts

The salary range for this role is

$159,600.00 - $251,200.00

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:

Domestic/International

VISA Sponsorship:

Yes

Travel Requirements:

10%

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Not Applicable

Shift:

1st - Day

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 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.