Director, Pharmacokinetics

Merck • Upper Gwynedd Township, PA

8d • $173,200 - $272,600 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Pharmacokinetics, Dynamics, Metabolism and Bioanalytics (PDMB) function in the Research & Development Division is seeking a Director to lead a team in the Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics (DMPK) group in West Point, Pennsylvania. The team supports discovery programs across modalities, including small molecules and conjugates, and therapeutic areas, enabling strategic decisions from lead selection through first-in-human (FIH) studies. The Director leads experienced scientists who represent the department on cross-functional teams, as well as bench scientists conducting mechanistic ADME studies. The role emphasizes talent development and scientific creativity.

The Director works collaboratively in a fast-paced environment to drive innovation and guide the design, implementation, and interpretation of in silico, in vitro, and in vivo studies that inform drug discovery and development decisions. The role calls for in-depth understanding of ADME, pharmacokinetic, and PK/PD principles, experience in small-molecule drug discovery, and familiarity with PK, PK/PD, and PBPK modeling. Experience across other drug modalities and therapeutic areas is desired. The position offers the opportunity to influence a broad portfolio and evolving pipeline, advance computational and laboratory techniques, and develop future leaders.

The role is hybrid and based primarily in West Point, Pennsylvania, with 10% travel. The position is regular employment. Domestic relocation is available, and visa sponsorship is available. The listed base salary range for the primary location is $173,200–$272,600, with eligibility for an annual bonus and long-term incentive, if applicable.

Requirements

• PhD in chemistry, pharmaceutical sciences, pharmacology, biomedical engineering, biochemistry, or a related field, with at least 8 years of experience supporting drug discovery in the pharmaceutical industry; applicants with an MSci degree and at least 12 years of relevant industry experience will be considered.
• Experience providing DMPK support in drug discovery programs, including assessment of tractability, dose and PK predictions, drug metabolism, drug interaction risk, and communication of analyses and recommendations to interdisciplinary teams and management.
• Experience integrating preclinical ADME, PK, and pharmacology data for translational PK/PD modeling and simulation, dose selection, design of PK/PD and safety assessment studies, and dose justifications for preclinical and clinical studies.
• Knowledge of cutting-edge in silico approaches for characterizing metabolism, drug interactions, exposure-response relationships, and variability.
• Knowledge of modern instrumentation used in DMPK workflows.
• At least 3 years of experience managing or supervising staff.
• Strong leadership, interpersonal, communication, problem-solving, and collaboration skills, including the ability to deliver results to firm deadlines.
• Aptitude and prior experience in managing scientific teams and attracting, developing, and retaining talent.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and ability to excel in a team-based environment.
• Experience in small-molecule drug discovery.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with drug modalities beyond small molecules and across therapeutic areas.
• Experience authoring documents for regulatory filings, including IBs, INDs, and CTDs, and responses to regulatory questions.
• Experience evaluating third-party assets.
• Strong publication record in ADME science and/or drug discovery and development.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic, scientific, and operational leadership to scientists supporting discovery programs through experimentation and project representation on discovery teams.
• Encourage and facilitate staff career development.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to ensure timely delivery of quality data and documentation.
• Collaborate across the DMPK organization and PDMB to advance scientific and strategic initiatives.
• Set future strategy and facilitate or implement new technologies in the organization.
• Provide scientific oversight of programs supported by the group and thoroughly and promptly review internal and external documents prepared by team members.
• Guide the design, implementation, and interpretation of in silico, in vitro, and in vivo studies that inform drug discovery and development decisions.
• Support cross-functional teams with DMPK expertise and communicate analyses and recommendations to interdisciplinary teams and management.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision healthcare benefits and other insurance benefits for employees and families.
• Retirement benefits, including 401(k).
• Paid holidays, vacation, and compassionate and sick days.
• Annual bonus and long-term incentive, if applicable.

What This Job Offers

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