MSD

Principal Scientist, Respiratory Diseases

USA - California - South San Francisco (Grand Ave) Full time

Job Description

We are seeking an experienced scientist to join our team and drive innovation in respiratory medicine. The ideal candidate will bring deep expertise in respiratory drug development within a large pharmaceutical setting, with a strong track record of advancing programs from early discovery through clinical development. This role offers the opportunity to shape strategy, collaborate across disciplines, and deliver transformative therapies for patients with respiratory diseases.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Lead or contribute to the discovery and development of novel respiratory medicines, from early research up to clinical development.

  • Design and execute strategies for target identification, validation, and translational approaches in respiratory disease areas (e.g., COPD, asthma, pulmonary hypertension, NCFBE).

  • Effectively manage and lead multiple projects, including experimental design, resource allocation, and timeline adherence, ensuring milestones are met and risks are proactively addressed.

  • Collaborate cross-functionally with medicinal chemistry, pharmacology, clinical, and regulatory teams to advance pipeline programs.

  • Interpret complex data sets and provide scientific leadership to guide decision-making.

  • Stay current on emerging science, competitive landscape, and regulatory requirements in respiratory therapeutics.

  • Manage and mentor junior scientists and foster a culture of innovation and collaboration.

Qualifications:

Education:

  • Ph.D., Pharm.D. or M.D. in biology, pharmacology or related discipline and eight (8) years of respiratory drug development experience.

Required Experience and Skills:

  • Proven track record of advancing respiratory programs from discovery through clinical phases.

  • Strong understanding of respiratory disease biology, pharmacology, and translational science.

  • Excellent communication and leadership skills; ability to influence across functions.

Preferred Experience and Skills:

  • Deep understanding of the disease biology and pathophysiology for one or more respiratory diseases.

  • Experience with inhaled drug delivery systems and formulation development.

  • Proficiency in pharmacology, PK/PD modeling, and translational science for respiratory indications.

  • Familiarity with preclinical models of respiratory diseases and biomarker strategies.

  • Knowledge of regulatory requirements and clinical development considerations for respiratory medicines.

  • Ability to leverage data analytics and digital tools to support decision-making.

#EligibleforERP 

Required Skills:

Disease Research, Pharmacology, Project Leadership, Pulmonary Disease Research, Pulmonology, Respiratory Pharmacology, 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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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”.

The salary range for this role is

$172,700.00 - $271,900.00

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:

01/31/2026

*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.