Director, Obesity and Metabolic Diseases

Job Description

The Director, Obesity and Metabolic Diseases will provide scientific leadership and people management for discovery research in obesity and metabolic diseases within the Cardiometabolic Disease (CMD) Department at our Company's Research Laboratories in South San Francisco, California. The successful candidate will contribute to and execute scientific priorities within the department’s strategy by integrating advances in human biology, translational science, data science, and innovative technology platforms to identify and advance novel therapeutic opportunities. Working in a highly collaborative and multidisciplinary environment, this individual will lead a focused team of scientists, drive discovery programs from target identification through preclinical development, and contribute to a differentiated pipeline of medicines that address the unmet medical needs of patients living with obesity and related metabolic disorders.

Responsibilities:

• Lead discovery research in obesity and metabolic diseases, executing priorities aligned with CMD scientific strategy from target identification through preclinical candidate nomination by leveraging human biology, translational science, disease models, and emerging technologies to contribute to a differentiated portfolio.
• Provide scientific leadership for drug discovery programs, partnering across chemistry, pharmacology, safety, translational medicine, biomarker, and development functions to inform program priorities, support decision making, and advance programs through key milestones.
• Identify and advance novel therapeutic opportunities by integrating insights from human genetics, clinical research, biomarker science, and the external competitive landscape, while maintaining deep expertise in obesity, metabolism, and related therapeutic areas.
• Lead a high-performing scientific team by fostering a culture of innovation, scientific rigor, collaboration, accountability, and continuous talent development.
• Contribute to the evaluation of external innovation, business development opportunities, and partnership strategies that enhance the portfolio.
• Represent the team through publications, presentations, due diligence activities, governance interactions, and cross-functional scientific forums, contributing to the broader cardiometabolic disease strategy.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education:

• Ph.D., M.D., or Ph.D./M.D. in endocrinology, metabolism, physiology, pharmacology, biology or a related scientific discipline and a minimum of eight (8) years of experience in obesity, diabetes, MASH, or related therapeutic areas in academia and/or industry.  Exceptional candidates from academia with a distinguished record of scientific achievement and research leadership are encouraged to apply, even without prior industry experience.

Required Experience and Skills:

• Demonstrated track record of scientific innovation, leadership of research programs, and contributions to basic and/or translational research efforts.
• Deep expertise in metabolic disease biology and target validation, with a strong understanding of human genetics, biomarkers, and the integration of preclinical and clinical data to inform drug discovery decisions.
• Proven success leading scientific teams and discovery initiatives in a matrix environment, with the ability to manage priorities, collaborate across functions, influence stakeholders, and deliver results.
• Broad experience with in vitro and in vivo models of obesity and metabolic disease, as well as contemporary therapeutic modalities and innovative technologies relevant to drug discovery.
• People leadership experience, including managing, coaching, and developing scientific teams, with a demonstrated ability to build and sustain a high-performing team, foster employee engagement, and develop talent through mentorship, performance management, and succession planning.
• Strong communication, collaboration, and relationship-building skills, with the ability to effectively engage leaders, cross-functional partners, and external collaborators.

Required Leadership Competencies:

• Demonstrates strategic thinking and scientific judgment, translating complex data into clear decisions that advance program and team objectives.
• Builds trust, alignment, and strong partnerships across functions by fostering an inclusive, collaborative, and high-performing culture.
• Develops and empowers talent through effective coaching, mentorship, and succession planning, creating an environment where team members can excel.
• Operates effectively in a matrix organization, influencing across functions while maintaining a strong focus on execution, innovation, and patient impact.
• Demonstrates the highest standards of scientific integrity, ethics, diversity, and accountability, while championing excellence and continuous improvement.

Preferred Experience and Skills:

• Experience in pharmacology is highly desired, including the design, execution, and interpretation of in vitro and in vivo studies to support target validation, mechanism-of-action investigations, and therapeutic development.

#EligibleforERP 

Required Skills:

Biomarker Research, Diabetes Research, Metabolic Diseases, Metabolism, Obesity Research, People Leadership, Pharmacology, Strategic Leadership, Translational Research

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:

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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.

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The salary range for this role is

$214,100.00 - $337,000.00

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:

10%

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Not Applicable

Shift:

1st - Day

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

N/A

Job Posting End Date:

10/30/2026

*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.