Regional Medical Scientific Director
Scientific ResearchPosted 17 Jul 2026
Advertised as “Regional Medical Scientific Director (aka Medical Science Liaison) Immunology - GI (Northern CA)”
Posted 17 Jul 2026
Advertised as “Regional Medical Scientific Director (aka Medical Science Liaison) Immunology - GI (Northern CA)”
The original posting with the fluff stripped out
| Base salary | US$191,000 – US$300,500 / yr |
|---|
Study levelDoctorate
Job Description
We are seeking a Growth and Improvement minded Regional Medical Scientific Director (aka Medical Science Liaison, MSL) in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Immunology that can help drive our Strategic Operating Priorities.
Summary, Focus and Purpose
The Regional Medical Scientific Director (Medical Science Liaison) is a credentialed (i.e., PhD, PharmD, DNP, MD) Director Level Medical Affairs position and therapeutic and disease expert who engages in bidirectional exchange of scientific or medical information with Scientific Leaders (SLs). The role provides balanced, factual, scientific information about non-product areas of interest to the Company and replies to scientific questions from SLs, including questions about Company products. The work is aligned to Scientific Exchange, Research, Scientific Congress Support, and Scientific Insights.
You will liaise between the scientific community and the Company to enhance the comprehension of scientific foundations and goals for approved, in-development, and active Company-sponsored trials and/or investigator-sponsored research studies and serve as a role model for other field medical team members in ways that include on-boarding and/or sharing of therapeutic expertise.
Consistent adherence to field and corporate policies and Global Medical Scientific Affairs (GMSA) strategy, including field standard operating procedures (SOPs), Good Clinical Practice (GCP) guidelines, and administrative/operational responsibilities.
Responsibilities and Primary Activities
Scientific Exchange
Develops professional relationships and engages with national and regional SLs to ensure access to company-approved medical and scientific information on areas of therapeutic interest and Company products
Conducts peer-to-peer scientific discussions and maintains a reliable presence with those SLs to ensure they have a medical contact within the company
Addresses scientific questions and directs SL inquiries on issues outside of scope (e.g., grants) to appropriate company resources consistent with applicable policies
Maintains current knowledge and comprehension of dynamic scientific and clinical environment in the Company's Areas of Interest (AOI) for your specific therapeutic area
Research
Upon Request from Global Center for Scientific Affairs (GCSA)
Initiates discussions with SLs and/or potential investigators that include scientific/data exchange within our AOI to determine the alignment with our research strategies, studies concepts, scientific merit, and qualifications for a specific compound or trial
Enhances the comprehension of the scientific foundations and goals of investigator-sponsored research
Identifies barriers to patient enrollment and retention efforts to achieve study milestones
Upon Request from Global Clinical Trial Operations (GCTO)
Recommends study sites and identifies potential investigators to participate in phase II-IV clinical development programs, conducts Site Initiation Visits (SIVs), and detects barriers to patient enrollment and retention efforts to achieve study milestones
Protocol lead responsibilities in collaboration with GCTO
Addresses questions from investigators and provides information regarding participation in Company-sponsored clinical studies
Scientific Congress Support
Scientific Insights
Inclusive Mindset and Behavior
Work Independently and as a Team member with Integrity | Precision | Accomplishment | Motivational Ambition | Respect | Inclusion
Demonstrates eagerness to contribute to an environment of belonging, inclusion, equity, and empowerment
Leads by example and serves as a role model for creating, leading, and retaining a diverse and inclusive workforce
Motivation to contribute to an environment of belonging, engagement, equity, and empowerment
Working to transform the environment, culture, and business landscape
Leveraging diversity and inclusion to ensure business value, per global diversity and inclusion strategy
Ensuring accountability to drive an inclusive culture
Strengthening the foundational elements of diversity
Required Location:
This role covers the Northern California region.
Candidates must reside within the territory.
Ability for travel up to 50% within the territory
Required Education
Required Experience | Skills | Knowledge
Proven competence and three years of relevant Immunology (Inflammatory Bowel Disease) experience beyond that obtained in the terminal degree program
Principled verbal and written communications
Ability to conduct doctoral-level discussions with key external stakeholders
Dedication to scientific excellence with a strong focus on scientific education and dialogue
Excellent stakeholder management, communication, and networking skills
Thorough comprehension of FDA, OIG, HIPAA, and other ethical guidelines, laws, and regulations relevant to the pharmaceutical industry and its customers
Ability to organize, prioritize, and work effectively in a constantly changing environment
Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Teams, OneNote)
Familiarity with virtual meeting platforms
Preferred Experience | Skills | Knowledge
Additional experience in Immunology Rheumatology and/or Dermatology
Field-based medical experience
Research Experienced
Demonstrated record of scientific/medical publication
#eligibleforERP
Required Skills:
Clinical Immunology, Clinical Trials, External Collaboration, Immunology, Inflammatory Bowel Diseases, Medical Affairs, Pharmaceutical Medical Affairs, Professional Networking, Scientific Communications, Strategic Thinking
Preferred Skills:
Current Employees apply HERE
Current Contingent Workers apply HERE
US and Puerto Rico Residents Only:
Our company is committed to inclusion, ensuring that candidates can engage in a hiring process that exhibits their true capabilities. Please click here if you need an accommodation during the application or hiring process.
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:
We are proud to be a company that embraces the value of bringing together, talented, and committed people with diverse experiences, perspectives, skills and backgrounds. The fastest way to breakthrough innovation is when people with diverse ideas, broad experiences, backgrounds, and skills come together in an inclusive environment. We encourage our colleagues to respectfully challenge one another’s thinking and approach problems collectively.
Learn more about your rights, including under California, Colorado and other US State Acts
The salary range for this role is
$190,800.00 - $300,300.00
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:
No relocation
VISA Sponsorship:
No
Travel Requirements:
50%
Flexible Work Arrangements:
Remote
Shift:
Not Indicated
Valid Driving License:
Yes
Hazardous Material(s):
n/a
Job Posting End Date:
08/1/2026
*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.