Job Description
This role plays a critical part in advancing our company's growing ophthalmology portfolio through the development, execution, and refinement of robust in vivo ophthalmic research models in preclinical species. The successful candidate will be a collaborative, scientifically rigorous problem-solver with the ability to translate ophthalmic expertise into impactful research solutions across early discovery and GLP environments. Hands-on, on-site laboratory work is an essential component of this position, along with demonstrated leadership, mentorship, and an unwavering commitment to personnel safety and animal welfare.
Key Responsibilities:
1. Serve as a subject matter expertise to all aspects of the pipeline with a strong emphasis on ophthalmic research programs and the further development of existing and creating of new modalities and in vivo ophthalmic research models.
2. Design, conduct, or supervise ophthalmic animal research studies involving both posterior and anterior segment diseases, including diabetic retinopathy/diabetic macular edema, age-related macular degeneration, neurologically induced ocular diseases, and glaucoma.
3. Perform comprehensive ophthalmic examinations such as slit lamp biomicroscopy, Indirect Ophthalmoscopy across species of laboratory animals in GLP or non-GLP settings.
Provide technical leadership and oversight for multimodal ocular imaging and functional assessments, including OCT/OCTA, fluorescein angiography (FA), indocyanine green angiography (ICGA), ERG and pattern ERG, fluorophotometry, and optokinetic tracking (OKT), etc.
Lead and support specialized ocular procedures, including ocular surgery and local ocular drug delivery (intravitreal, intracameral, subretinal, and suprachoroidal injections).
Provide subject matter expertise in retinal and choroidal flatmount preparation, ocular tissue microdissection, vascular perfusion methodologies, and development of histological and immunostaining-based biomarker endpoints.
Train, mentor, and provide professional instruction to colleagues and junior staff in ophthalmic research techniques and best practices.
8. Familiar and experienced in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) for algorithms of ocular images including retinal segmentation and data automation.
Deep understanding of pharmacokinetics, distribution, and translational relevance. Select appropriate animal models, contribute to study design, utilizes analyzing software for data analysis and interpretation and prepares high-quality study reports with strong translational relevance.
A Team player who collaborates effectively within highly interdisciplinary teams and communicates study outcomes clearly to diverse scientific stakeholders.
11. Experience working with various species in the laboratory animal field providing technical support to biomedical research projects, collaborating with researchers and research staff, training and teaching research and lab animal staff, and ensuring compliance with federal, state, local regulations and AAALACi standards.
12. Ensure close collaboration with principal investigators in various functional areas, scientific staff, veterinarians, veterinary technicians, IACUC members, facility managers, and animal care technicians.
13. Maintain accurate, timely, digitalized, and well-organized records of research protocols, procedures, study data, inventories, and reports in both non-GLP and GLP platforms.
14. Comply with US and our company's-specific rules and regulations, e.g., Animal Welfare Act, The Guide for the care and use of laboratory animals, 3Rs (Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement) principles, FDA, and other regulatory bodies.
Qualifications:
Required:
You should hold an advanced or professional degree (MS, PhD, DVM, or equivalent)
You have at least 5 years of experience in ophthalmology Research using pre-clinical species. Either in an industry or academic setting.
You should be comfortable demonstrating proficiency in ophthalmic examinations and imaging techniques, including slit lamp biomicroscopy, indirect ophthalmoscopy, OCT/OCTA, fluorescein angiography, ERG, and related modalities, in both GLP and non-GLP environments.
Demonstrable passion for animal care and welfare.
Willingness to learn technical and scientific skills and a comprehensive understanding of the R&D process.
Ability to independently recognize challenges (scientific, or study-related) and provide relevant input for solution/problem solving.
Initiative-taking, innovative, and solution-oriented mindset.
Excellent organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills.
Commitment to maintaining highest safety and regulatory standards.
Preferred:
Board Certification in Ophthalmology
Experience working in a GLP environment.
Proven history in performing ophthalmic examinations and imaging techniques, including slit lamp biomicroscopy, indirect ophthalmoscopy, OCT, fluorescein angiography, ERG, and related modalities, in both GLP and non-GLP environments.
Our company values collaboration, coordination, and open communication. We foster a culture of mutual respect and provide a vibrant learning environment where scientific excellence, professional growth, and innovative problem-solving are encouraged. Candidates who thrive in team-oriented, interdisciplinary settings and who are motivated to make meaningful contributions to ophthalmic research are strongly encouraged to apply.
Required Skills:
Accountability, Accountability, Angiography, Animal Care, Animal Handling, Animal Welfare, Animal Welfare Advocacy, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Biotechnology Research, Clinical Judgment, Detail-Oriented, Equipment Validations, Ethical Compliance, Experimentation, Fluorescein Angiography, Indirect Ophthalmoscopes, Innovation, Laboratory Animal Medicine, Macular Degeneration, Mentorship, Quality Control Management, Solution-Oriented, Team Player, Technical Leadership, Test and Evaluation (T&E) {+ 1 more}Preferred Skills:
Current Employees apply HERE
Current Contingent Workers apply HERE
US and Puerto Rico Residents Only:
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:
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.
U.S. Hybrid Work Model
Effective September 5, 2023, employees in office-based positions in the U.S. will be working a Hybrid work consisting of three total days on-site per week, Monday - Thursday, although the specific days may vary by site or organization, with Friday designated as a remote-working day, unless business critical tasks require an on-site presence.This Hybrid work model does not apply to, and daily in-person attendance is required for, field-based positions; facility-based, manufacturing-based, or research-based positions where the work to be performed is located at a Company site; positions covered by a collective-bargaining agreement (unless the agreement provides for hybrid work); or any other position for which the Company has determined the job requirements cannot be reasonably met working remotely. Please note, this Hybrid work model guidance also does not apply to roles that have been designated as “remote”.
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:
RegularRelocation:
DomesticVISA Sponsorship:
NoTravel Requirements:
No Travel RequiredFlexible Work Arrangements:
Not ApplicableShift:
Not IndicatedValid Driving License:
NoHazardous Material(s):
N/AJob Posting End Date:
03/30/2026*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.