Senior Principal Scientist, Veterinary Pathology Board Certified

We aspire to be the premier research-intensive biopharmaceutical company with over a 130-year history. We’re at the forefront of research to deliver innovative health solutions that advance the prevention and treatment of diseases in people and animals. Our success is driven by putting patients first, operating with the highest integrity, and committing fully to our vision to make a difference in the lives of people globally.

Our varied pipeline includes oncology, immunology, vaccines, biologics, small molecules, and newer modalities. We are advancing the prevention and treatment of diseases such as cancer, cardiometabolic diseases, eye diseases, and infectious diseases.

Our Company's Research Laboratories nonclinical drug safety department at the 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.

About the role

This role is intended for an accomplished Pathologist with proven toxicological pathology and drug development experience, preferably with 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 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. They also have opportunities to learn and grow as professional scientists and drug developers through daily study-related activities and collaborative work with multiple program development teams.

Responsibilities

• 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 by 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.
• Utilize additional tools and applications available on-site, including:
  • An industry-leading suite of on-site in vitro and in vivo assay capabilities.
  • Access to a robust historical controls slide archive and database.
  • 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.
• 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.
• Work in a hybrid environment, routinely interacting with colleagues, sharing slides and opinions/experiences, and helping each other learn and grow.

Requirements

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM).
• PhD in Immunology, Toxicology, Pathology, or related discipline (preferred).
• 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 Qualifications

• 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 expert.
• Strong scientific leadership beyond individual studies, demonstrated growth and enterprise mindset, including cross-functional partnership, cross-program influence, and mentoring/management of other pathologists.

Skills

• 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

Pay

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.

Benefits

We offer a comprehensive package of benefits, including:

• 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.

Schedule

This role operates in a hybrid work environment.

VISA sponsorship is available for this role.