Distinguished Scientist - Quantitative Biosciences

4w1 month ago

MSD

Rahway, US · Full-time · $231,900 – $365,000

About this role

We are seeking a Distinguished Scientist with deep experience spanning drug discovery, nonclinical pharmacology, and broader pharmaceutical R&D to join our Quantitative Biosciences (QB) leadership team. Reporting to the Vice President and Global Head of QB, you will leverage your expertise in pharmacology, disease biology, and drug discovery to shape QB and network-wide strategy.

In this role, you will serve as a central scientific integrator for mechanistic pharmacology and translation within QB, ensuring pharmacology strategies directly enable SAR progression, differentiate mechanisms of action, and support confident translation into early clinical development. You will drive clarity and alignment on pharmacology strategies that are fit-for-purpose, decision-focused, and avoid unnecessary complexity.

Partnering closely with discovery scientists across our global Discovery, Preclinical, & Translational Medicine (DPTM) organization, you will guide project teams, drive cross-functional collaboration, and lead opportunity assessments across broad disease areas and modalities including small molecules, biologics, and vaccines. You will also advise and mentor broadly across QB and DPTM, guiding scientists in assay selection, design, and execution.

If you thrive at the intersection of deep quantitative thinking, translational research, and enterprise influence—and are passionate about developing others and elevating decision quality across a global R&D organization—we invite you to join our purpose-driven team. This role offers the opportunity to shape the QB pharmacology portfolio and resourcing strategy while assessing the evolving external landscape for actionable insights.

Requirements

Deep experience spanning drug discovery, nonclinical pharmacology, and broader pharmaceutical Research and Development (R&D).
Expertise in pharmacology, disease biology, and drug discovery across broad disease areas and modalities (small molecules, biologics, and vaccines).
Proven ability to serve as a central scientific integrator for mechanistic pharmacology and translation.
Experience guiding fit-for-purpose assay and model strategies that directly inform SAR and program progression.
Strong track record of advising and mentoring scientists and multidisciplinary teams in assay selection, design, and execution.
Ability to translate complex data into clear, actionable insights that inform strategic and program-level decisions.
Experience shaping portfolio and resourcing strategy for nonclinical pharmacology across early target and end-to-end planning.

Responsibilities

Serve as a scientific integrator, strategic partner, and chief-of-staff to the Vice President and Global Head of Quantitative Biosciences, shaping enterprise pharmacology and translational strategy.
Drive clarity and alignment on pharmacology strategies that enable efficient SAR progression and translational confidence.
Apply deep expertise in biochemical, cellular, and translational systems to clarify mechanism-of-action and inform molecule differentiation at critical decision points.
Guide fit-for-purpose assay and model strategies that streamline research operating plans and directly inform SAR and program progression.
Advise and mentor broadly across QB and DPTM, guiding scientists and multidisciplinary teams in assay selection, design, and execution.
Act as a trusted advisor on high-impact and complex programs, translating complex data into clear, actionable insights for strategic and program-level decisions.
Shape the QB pharmacology portfolio and resourcing strategy, contributing to early target and end-to-end nonclinical pharmacology planning across disease areas and modalities.
Assess and interpret the evolving external landscape, delivering actionable insights on competitive pipelines, emerging trends, and strategic opportunities.

Benefits

Opportunity to shape enterprise pharmacology and translational strategy at a leading global pharmaceutical company.
Collaboration with a global network of discovery scientists across Discovery, Preclinical, and Translational Medicine.
Mentorship and development of scientists across a world-class R&D organization.
Access to cutting-edge research and development of life-saving medications and vaccines.
Purpose-driven team environment committed to improving global health and well-being.