Director, Discovery Oncology, Reverse Translation

Merck • Boston, MA

5d • $194,100 - $305,600 • Onsite

About The Position

Discovery Oncology is seeking a visionary and driven people leader to translate the deep clinical knowledge of our Company into unique insights and new therapeutic opportunities. This Director will lead a cross-site team based in Boston and San Francisco, with the position located in person in Boston. The successful candidate will be responsible for driving a discovery strategy grounded in reverse translation, bringing insights from the clinic back into discovery to shape programs, inform target and modality selection, and accelerate our Company's robust pipeline of compelling medicines. They will partner across our Company to help build our Discovery Oncology strategy. This leader will work tightly with clinical, translational, data science, and quantitative biosciences colleagues to test translational findings across all therapeutic modalities. The successful candidate will have a strong record of scientific excellence, realization of actionable translational findings, deep collaborative spirit, thoughtful strategic planning, and inspiring people leadership.

Requirements

• 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 M.S. with 10+ years of experience.
• Extensive background in discovery or translational research.
• A proven track record of actioning clinical learnings into new molecular design and therapeutic approaches
• 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 actionable findings.
• Excellent attention to detail and strong communication skills, both oral and written.
• Highly self-motivated and capable of prioritizing deliverables among multiple projects.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working across oncology modalities, including large molecules, small molecules, and other therapeutic platforms.
• Strong understanding of resistance biology, biomarker strategy, and translational decision-making.
• Experience influencing portfolio strategy in a matrixed environment.
• Prior success leading cross-site teams and building a collaborative culture across geographies.

Responsibilities

• Be a creative and forward-thinking leader to reverse translate our clinical learnings into actionable discovery strategy, novel therapeutic combinations, and new molecular design.
• Deliver on milestones key to pipeline advancement, such as solutions to mechanisms of resistance across our Oncology pipeline, including large and small molecules.
• Contribute your expertise and vision to business development evaluations of molecules, technologies, 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.
• Establish strong relationships within highly collaborative, multidisciplinary teams across the Boston and San Francisco sites.

Benefits

• medical, dental, vision healthcare and other insurance benefits (for employee and family)
• retirement benefits, including 401(k)
• paid holidays
• vacation
• compassionate and sick days

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree