Director, Discovery Pharmaceutical Sciences

Job Description

Position Description:

Director

Discovery Pharmaceutical Sciences (DPS) enables drug discovery and drug product development through application of pharmaceutical science, physicochemical profiling, and drug delivery research from target identification through clinical candidate selection for both small molecules and biologics. DPS influences molecular design of discovery compounds selected as clinical candidates through physicochemical property profiling and then applying insights to better understand, and resolve, drug product developability risks. We further utilize our expertise to identify and develop solid state phases, develop and study prototype formulations intended for clinical use for small molecule and biologics, and deliver robust GLP formulations. In aggregate our team enables the transition of the most developable molecules from discovery to clinical formulation development with sound formulation strategies in place. 

The Director is responsible for leading a team in Boston, MA to enable the R&D goals of the organization. Goals for small molecule and biologics include a) molecule profiling, b) early formulation screening for stability and performance as well as, c) development of prototype and concept formulations/drug delivery which would benefit the molecule given its therapeutic area. Research areas include solubilization, inhalation, targeted delivery, transcellular delivery, and modification of molecule release. In order to profile these compounds and formulation delivery routes the team must develop physical and chemical methods (XRD, TGA, DSC, DVS, HPLC, HP-SEC, CE-SDS, DLS, Microscopy, etc.). The successful candidate will have a strong history of solving deep technical challenges.

The Director reports to the Executive Director of Discovery Pharmaceutical Sciences and will lead staff who work within multidisciplinary drug discovery and development teams at the Boston site. The Director will effectively team with the Discovery Pharmaceutical Sciences leadership team to identify and advance key departmental technical, strategic and team development initiatives.

Responsibilities:

• Drive scientific excellence and excel in leading the conduct of scientific research in the pharmaceutical sciences field (pre-formulation, drug delivery, formulation development and analytical). This should be evident via a publication record or apparent through their experience.
• Work in collaboration with sister departments within the Pharmaceutical Sciences organization to transfer information and collaborate on candidate molecules and their formulation technology to aid in their transition from prototype into clinical drug products.
• Create, influence, and support the direction of broader Pharmaceutical Sciences research initiatives through the mentioned collaborations.
• Select, train, mentor, and carry out performance management for staff under their direction. 
• Direct the preparation of and approve disclosures prepared within their group used as the basis for patent applications and scientific presentations/publications.
• Plan, prepare and submit technical programs for budgetary approval annually.
• Identify work appropriate for contract research organizations / service providers and ensure that appropriate quality and timely delivery of work is achieved.

Position Qualifications:

Education Minimum Requirement:

• BS in chemistry of related pharmaceutical science and 12+ years of pre-formulation, analytical, drug delivery or drug product development experience
• MS in chemistry of related pharmaceutical science and 10+ years of pre-formulation, analytical, drug delivery or drug product development experience
• Ph.D. in chemistry or related pharmaceutical science and 7+ years of pre-formulation, analytical, drug delivery or drug product development experience

Required Experience and Skills:

• Extensive Experience in Pharmaceutical Research and Development: The ideal candidate should have a significant track record of conducting and leading scientific research in areas such as pre-formulation, drug delivery, formulation development, and analytical sciences.
• Expertise in Physicochemical Property Profiling and Drug Delivery Research: The candidate should have expertise in molecular design, physicochemical property profiling, and drug delivery research for both small molecules and/or biologics. This includes knowledge and experience in one or more areas such as solubilization, inhalation, targeted delivery, or modification of molecule release.
• Strong Leadership and Team Management Skills: The Director should possess strong leadership qualities to effectively lead and mentor a team of multidisciplinary researchers and staff. This includes the ability to train, mentor, and carry out performance management for staff under their direction.
• Collaboration and Communication Skills: The candidate should be adept at collaborating with sister departments and leading interdisciplinary teams. Effective communication and collaboration skills are necessary to transfer information, collaborate on candidate molecules, and influence broader research initiatives.
• Budget and Resource Management: The Director should have experience in planning, preparing, and submitting technical programs for budgetary approval, as well as identifying work suitable for contract research organizations and service providers.
• Strategic Thinking and Initiative: The successful candidate should be capable of identifying and advancing key technical, strategic, and team development initiatives within the organization. This includes driving scientific excellence and creating, influencing, and supporting the direction of broader Pharmaceutical Sciences research initiatives.

#EligibleforERP

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U.S. Hybrid Work Model

Effective September 5, 2023, employees in office-based positions in the U.S. will be working a Hybrid work consisting of three total days on-site per week, Monday – Thursday, although the specific days may vary by site or organization, with Friday designated as a remote-working day, unless business critical tasks require an on-site presence.This Hybrid work model does not apply to, and daily in-person attendance is required for, field-based positions; facility-based, manufacturing-based, or research-based positions where the work to be performed is located at a Company site; positions covered by a collective-bargaining agreement (unless the agreement provides for hybrid work); or any other position for which the Company has determined the job requirements cannot be reasonably met working remotely. Please note, this Hybrid work model guidance also does not apply to roles that have been designated as “remote”.

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

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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/International

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:

11/22/2024

• 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.

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