Principal Scientist (Director), Anatomic Pathologist

Job Description

Translational Molecular Biomarkers (TMB) is responsible for translating preclinical molecular biomarkers to clinical development across all therapeutic areas and all phases of clinical development at our company's Research Laboratories. TMB laboratories leverage a array of technologies to develop biomarker assays to help confirm engagement of therapeutic targets and understand mechanisms of drug action and patient response.

The Translational Pathology group within the TMB organization is seeking a highly motivated and experienced Anatomic Pathologist (MD) for the role of Principal Scientist to join our innovative team. This position will play a crucial role in the supporting the development, analytical validation, and testing of histopathology-based assays for clinical implementation and advancing digital pathology within our company's clinical therapeutic pipeline.

The individual will have the following responsibilities:

• Establish new histopathology-based assays in the laboratory as part of a team.
• Engage in providing thorough histopathological reviews and testing clinical samples, leveraging expertise in disease processes and pathways targeted by our company's therapeutics.
• Collaborate in the development and analytic validation of digital pathology algorithms.
• Interface with scientists and physicians in early and late-stage clinical development to execute histopathology-based biomarker strategies in clinical trials.
• Provide subject matter of expert pathologist input to discussions in a highly matrixed environment, collaborating with internal and external stakeholders.

Position Qualifications:

Education Minimum Requirement:

• Doctor of Medicine (MD or equivalent) or MD/PhD with specialized training in Anatomic Pathology.

Required Experience and Skills:

• Post-residency training experience of 1-3 years, including experience in biological research and the ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams.
• Proficient in general anatomic pathology diagnosis and routine histopathology testing, including immunohistochemistry (IHC), cytogenetics (in-situ hybridization), sample quality and testing procedures, and applicable laboratory testing regulations.
• Excellent oral and written skills with a proven record of scientific contributions to the scientific community.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and manage projects in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to interact well with groups and maintain strong working relationships with internal and external collaborators.
• Strong understanding of clinical laboratory regulatory standards and GxP compliant workflows.
• Strong understanding of disease processes and pathways relevant to our company's therapeutics.

 

Preferred Experience and Skills:

• Experience with the development and analytic validation of digital or computational pathology algorithms strongly preferred.
• Experience working in the diagnostic or pharmaceutical industry.
• Broad knowledge of the drug development process and translational medicine.
• Experience in clinical biomarker development or managing the implementation of biomarker assays in support of drug development.
• Experience with multiplex tissue-based spatial profiling assays (i.e., multiplex immunofluorescence, multiplex chromogenic immunohistochemistry, imaging mass cytometry, spatial transcriptomics).
• Familiarity with clinical grade whole slide imaging platforms (i.e., Leica Aperio, Hamamatsu, Roche DP 600).
• Proficiency in commercial or open-source image analysis software packages (i.e., Visiopharm, HALO, QuPath).
• Knowledge of using statistical software packages (i.e., Prism, SPSS).
• Understanding of regulated clinical bioanalysis.

Required Skills:

Anatomic Pathology, Biomarkers, Clinical Judgment, Clinical Research, Cross-Functional Teamwork, Digital Pathology, Drug Development, Histopathology, Immunochemistry, Immunohistochemistry (IHC), Laboratory Research, Pathology, Translational Medicine

Preferred Skills:

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Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

US and Puerto Rico Residents Only:

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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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The salary range for this role is

$255,800.00 - $402,700.00

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:

No

Travel Requirements:

10%

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Hybrid

Shift:

Not Indicated

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

n/a

Job Posting End Date:

07/23/2026

*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.