Director, Discovery Oncology, Small Molecules

Job Description

Discovery Oncology is seeking a visionary and driven people leader to discover and advance the next generation of small molecule oncology therapeutics. Join an exceptional team with a rich history of scientific excellence and successful drug discovery. The successful candidate will lead a team at our Boston site focused on small molecule therapeutics, with opportunities to contribute across additional modalities. This leader will partner across the organization to help shape Discovery Oncology strategy and advance our growing pipeline. Working closely with colleagues in chemistry, clinical, translational, and business development functions, this individual will help ensure the effective conception and execution of a portfolio of compelling medicines. The successful candidate will bring a strong record of scientific excellence, late-stage research and IND experience, strategic vision, and inspiring people leadership.

Responsibilities 

• Be a creative and forward thinking leader to design and execute on the future of our company's Oncology therapeutics, particularly small molecules 

• Be a thought leader for the employment of small molecules to create effective, tolerable and combinable medicines that are both first in class and best in class.  

• Leverage your deep understanding of cancer biology and the current internal and external oncology landscape to drive decisions on the opportunity of new therapeutics. 

• Deliver on milestones key to pipeline advancement such as preclinical candidates and IND filings for first in human studies. 

• Be an experienced Program Lead and teach others to become strong Program Leaders. 

• Contribute your expertise and vision to business development evaluations of molecules or platforms of interest to our company. 

• As a member of the Discovery Oncology Leadership team, meaningfully contribute to the development and execution of strategy and the growth and development of staff. 

• Foster a high-performance culture of collaboration, engagement, self-accountability and inclusion.

Required Qualifications / Education: 

• Ph.D. in Biology, Immunology, Biochemistry, Pharmacology, Toxicology, Bioengineering, Biotechnology, Oncology, Biophysics, Biologics, or a related STEM field with 8+ years of post-degree experience in industry or equivalent OR MS with 10+ years of experience. 

• An extensive background in cancer biology. Deep knowledge of intrinsic pathways and key cancer drivers of cancer.

• Evidence of innovative approaches to small molecule design, particularly induced proximity 

• A proven track record of advancing well designed investigative new small molecule drugs into the clinic with a focus on patient experience and successful clinical execution.  

• Clear experience in late program leadership partnering with regulatory, translational sciences and clinical development to achieve compelling engagement with agencies to initiate and advance investigative drugs. Experience writing IND modules.  

• Experience managing a group of senior and junior scientists with a track record of achievements, including project leadership and strategic contributions. 

• Ability to build strong relationships within highly collaborative, multidisciplinary teams to effectively drive drug discovery initiatives. 

• Excellent attention to detail and strong communication (oral and written) skills. 

• Highly self-motivated and capable of prioritizing deliverables among multiple projects. 

Preferred Experience and Skills: 

• Preference will be given to candidates with a large breadth of small molecule experience, including novel approaches.

• Experience with modalities beyond small molecules is beneficial, particularly including small molecule payloads. 

#EligibleforERP

Required Skills:

Drug Development, Drug Discovery Research, IND Amendments, IND Submission, Investigational New Drug (IND), Investigational New Drug Application (IND), Mentorship, Molecular Biology, Oncology, Oncology Drug Development, People Leadership, Program Management, Project Leadership, Small Molecules, Target Validation

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

$194,100.00 - $305,600.00

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

VISA Sponsorship:

Yes

Travel Requirements:

10%

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Not Applicable

Shift:

Not Indicated

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

n/a

Job Posting End Date:

06/30/2026

*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.