Senior Scientist, Study Manager

Merck • San Diego, CA

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

This position leads the operational planning and execution of one or more clinical trials or significant aspects thereof. In this position, you will have the opportunity to demonstrate your leadership and technical skills as part of a global, cross-functional team. You will apply project management, communication, and collaboration skills in support of our clinical trials.

Requirements

• Demonstrated ability to drive and manage operational activities on clinical protocols. This position may represent the company through external partnerships, collaborations, and key strategic engagements. This includes the ability to:
• Solid knowledge of clinical research regulatory requirements (e.g., GCP and ICH)
• Ability to manage multiple competing priorities with good planning, time management and prioritization skills
• Solid understanding of the principles of project planning & project management
• Good analytical skills to drive operational milestones
• Influence opinions and decisions of internal and external customers/vendors, across functional areas, and within the division
• Interact with key stakeholders across department, division, and company. Role requires a proactive approach and leadership driving toward study goals.
• Applying leadership skills to processes, leading meetings, and influencing peers in a matrix environment.
• Problem solving, prioritization, conflict resolution, and critical thinking skills
• Strong communication, writing, and presentation skills
• Intermediate knowledge in Microsoft office or similar (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook, etc.)
• Bachelor's Degree +5 years of pharmaceutical, clinical drug development, project management, and/or medical field experience
• OR Master's Degree +3 year of pharmaceutical, clinical drug development, project management, and/or medical field experience
• OR PhD/PharmD Degree
• Degree in life sciences, preferred.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in conducting global clinical trials, including trial initiation through database lock.
• Highly Preferred: experience in conducting clinical trials in ophthalmology, such as uveitis, AMD (age-related macular degeneration), thyroid eye disease.
• Experience in managing and driving operational activities on protocols for ophthalmology clinical trials.
• Experience with imaging vendors, clinical outcome assessments, biomarker sample collection and management, and external data monitoring committee for ophthalmology clinical trials.
• Experience in managing imaging vendors for ophthalmology clinical trials.
• Experience with ophthalmologic assessments, e.g (slit lamp. dilated indirect ophthalmoscopy DIO}, imaging assessments such as optical coherence tomography OCT}; fluorescein angiography FA}, fundus photography FP} and visual acuity assessments such as best corrected visual acuity BCVA} performed and as well as supplies and equipment needed at sites in ophthalmology clinical trials.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for the operational planning, feasibility, and execution of a clinical trial. This may include:
• May serve as the clinical trial team lead
• May lead team in key study planning, development, and execution elements (e.g., data management deliverables, trial level plans/timelines, country/site selection, site materials, system updates, investigator meeting planning, communication plans, preparation of status update reports, study close out activities).
• Leads team for timeline management, risk identification and mitigation, issue resolution.
• May facilitate and collaborate with key internal/external stakeholders (e.g., study team, country teams, vendors, committees) in support of clinical study objectives.
• Accountable for managing any study specific partners and/or vendors.

Benefits

• 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

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level