Associate Principal Scientist, Clinical Services

Merck•Upper Gwynedd Township, PA

6d•Hybrid

About The Position

This role plays a critical part in advancing our company's growing ophthalmology portfolio through the development, execution, and refinement of robust in vivo ophthalmic research models in preclinical species. The successful candidate will be a collaborative, scientifically rigorous problem-solver with the ability to translate ophthalmic expertise into impactful research solutions across early discovery and GLP environments. Hands-on, on-site laboratory work is an essential component of this position, along with demonstrated leadership, mentorship, and an unwavering commitment to personnel safety and animal welfare.

Requirements

You should hold an advanced or professional degree (MS, PhD, DVM, or equivalent)
You have at least 5 years of experience in ophthalmology Research using pre-clinical species. Either in an industry or academic setting.
You should be comfortable demonstrating proficiency in ophthalmic examinations and imaging techniques, including slit lamp biomicroscopy, indirect ophthalmoscopy, OCT/OCTA, fluorescein angiography, ERG, and related modalities, in both GLP and non-GLP environments.
Demonstrable passion for animal care and welfare.
Willingness to learn technical and scientific skills and a comprehensive understanding of the R&D process.
Ability to independently recognize challenges (scientific, or study-related) and provide relevant input for solution/problem solving.
Initiative-taking, innovative, and solution-oriented mindset.
Excellent organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills.
Commitment to maintaining highest safety and regulatory standards.

Nice To Haves

Board Certification in Ophthalmology
Experience working in a GLP environment.
Proven history in performing ophthalmic examinations and imaging techniques, including slit lamp biomicroscopy, indirect ophthalmoscopy, OCT, fluorescein angiography, ERG, and related modalities, in both GLP and non-GLP environments.

Responsibilities

Serve as a subject matter expertise to all aspects of the pipeline with a strong emphasis on ophthalmic research programs and the further development of existing and creating of new modalities and in vivo ophthalmic research models.
Design, conduct, or supervise ophthalmic animal research studies involving both posterior and anterior segment diseases, including diabetic retinopathy/diabetic macular edema, age-related macular degeneration, neurologically induced ocular diseases, and glaucoma.
Perform comprehensive ophthalmic examinations such as slit lamp biomicroscopy, Indirect Ophthalmoscopy across species of laboratory animals in GLP or non-GLP settings.
Provide technical leadership and oversight for multimodal ocular imaging and functional assessments, including OCT/OCTA, fluorescein angiography (FA), indocyanine green angiography (ICGA), ERG and pattern ERG, fluorophotometry, and optokinetic tracking (OKT), etc.
Lead and support specialized ocular procedures, including ocular surgery and local ocular drug delivery (intravitreal, intracameral, subretinal, and suprachoroidal injections).
Provide subject matter expertise in retinal and choroidal flatmount preparation, ocular tissue microdissection, vascular perfusion methodologies, and development of histological and immunostaining-based biomarker endpoints.
Train, mentor, and provide professional instruction to colleagues and junior staff in ophthalmic research techniques and best practices.
Familiar and experienced in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) for algorithms of ocular images including retinal segmentation and data automation.
Deep understanding of pharmacokinetics, distribution, and translational relevance. Select appropriate animal models, contribute to study design, utilizes analyzing software for data analysis and interpretation and prepares high-quality study reports with strong translational relevance.
A Team player who collaborates effectively within highly interdisciplinary teams and communicates study outcomes clearly to diverse scientific stakeholders.
Experience working with various species in the laboratory animal field providing technical support to biomedical research projects, collaborating with researchers and research staff, training and teaching research and lab animal staff, and ensuring compliance with federal, state, local regulations and AAALACi standards.
Ensure close collaboration with principal investigators in various functional areas, scientific staff, veterinarians, veterinary technicians, IACUC members, facility managers, and animal care technicians.
Maintain accurate, timely, digitalized, and well-organized records of research protocols, procedures, study data, inventories, and reports in both non-GLP and GLP platforms.
Comply with US and our company's-specific rules and regulations, e.g., Animal Welfare Act, The Guide for the care and use of laboratory animals, 3Rs (Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement) principles, FDA, and other regulatory bodies.