Principle Scientist Job at Merck – Apply Online
Merck & Co., Inc. is an American multinational pharmaceutical company that is now hiring Ph.D. candidates for Principle Scientist Job at Merck. Interested applicants can check the details below and Apply Online
Job Title: Principle Scientist, Translational Quantitative Pharmacology
Job Requisition ID:Â 265068
Job Location:Â Bangalore
Career Level:Â C – Professional (1-3 years)
Job Type:Â full-time
Role:
- To be able to independently develop quantitative mechanism-based PK/PD models that will inform compound progression decisions from lead optimization to clinical proof of concept and beyond for the immunology and oncology pipelines, both for large and small molecule pharmaceuticals.
- The selected candidate will have responsibilities for performing human PK predictions and quantitative DDI predictions, the design and analysis of pre-clinical PK/PD data to support lead optimization and prioritization, and translational PK/PD analyses to support FIM dose estimates for both small/large molecules and ADCs.
- The candidate will work to develop models or use commercially available software tools to understand and quantify toxicological signals such as cardiovascular, hepatic, renal, dermal etc to determine the therapeutic index and help guide project decisions
- To be able to interact with various project team members in a clear and timely manner, understanding the functions of other team members and being able to explain and educate modeling efforts and results to team members from various backgrounds
- The successful candidate will work in a dynamic team with frequent interactions, both within the team and associated functions, and is responsible for the development and implementation of innovative modeling and simulation platforms/strategy that ensure that the right drug is administered to the right patient at the right dose/regimen.
- The selected candidate will work in close partnership with Pharmacology, Safety, Clinical Sciences, Biostatics and Regulatory. As a member of project teams and sub-teams, the candidate will represent QP and present analysis outcomes to cross-functional teams, at department meetings, project review committees and conferences.
- The candidate will contribute to the preparation and presentation of both internal and external documentation (e.g. Investigator’s Brochure, IND, CTD) and product strategy
Interfaces with other Departments/Functions:
- Oncology and Immunology Research Units
- Clinical Pharmacology (CP)
- Biostatistics
- Safety sciences (Toxicology)
- DMPK
- Epidemiology/Biomarkers
- Pharmacometrics
- Bioinformatics
- Project Teams (CP, Biomarkers and GPT)
External Interfaces:
- Represent company/ organization in consortia (e.g. IQ working groups) and academic research partnerships.
- Represent function and department in interactions with contractors
- Present and publish work in relevant journals and MIDD related conferences.
EDUCATION/LANGUAGES
- A minimum of 3 years in industry and/or academia in a relevant background
- A PhD in Pharmacokinetics, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Biomedical/Chemical Engineering, Applied Mathematics, Statistics or a related discipline with a proven track record of applying modeling and simulation approaches to biological problems
- Fluency in English.
PROFESSIONAL SKILLS & EXPERIENCE
- In-depth hands-on experience with modeling software (such as; MatLab, R, Phoenix/WinNonlin, NONMEM, Monolix etc)
- Experience with DDI predictions using appropriate static and dynamic approaches (SimCyp) are desirable
- Experience with toxicological predictions using tools such as DILI Sym/RenaSym for hepatic and renal toxicity respectively is highly desirable
- Openness to fresh ideas and new perspectives to be gathered from working with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures.
- Flexibility and keen pursuit of innovation throughout all phases of the drug discovery and development process
- A desire to develop and grow by way of taking responsibility and engaging in additional tasks and operations.
- Ability to work independently and deliver results in a timely manner
- Publications in conference proceedings and peer-reviewed journals are encouraged
- Excellent communication skills with the ability to translate and summarize outcomes of modeling and simulation analysis as relevant for discovery and development projects
Other Requirement:Â
- Normal and routine office duties
- Position requires both domestic and international travel up to 20% of time
Here are Possible interview questions and answers for Principle Scientist Job at Merck
- Question: Can you describe your experience in developing quantitative PK/PD models for drug development?Â
   Answer: In my previous role as a Principle Scientist, I gained extensive experience in developing quantitative mechanism-based PK/PD models to support compound progression decisions in immunology and oncology pipelines. I have successfully applied these models from lead optimization to clinical proof of concept stages, both for large and small molecule pharmaceuticals. I have also worked on human PK predictions, quantitative DDI predictions, and the design and analysis of pre-clinical PK/PD data.
- Question: How have you used modeling and simulation approaches to understand and quantify toxicological signals in drug development?
   Answer: I have utilized modeling and simulation tools such as DILI Sym and RenaSym to predict and quantify toxicological signals related to hepatic and renal toxicity. These tools have enabled me to assess the therapeutic index and guide project decisions by understanding the impact of the drug on cardiovascular, hepatic, renal, dermal, and other toxicological endpoints. I believe integrating these predictive models early in the drug development process can help identify potential safety concerns and optimize the benefit-risk profile of the drug candidate.
- Question: How do you ensure effective communication and collaboration with cross-functional team members in drug development projects?
   Answer: Communication and collaboration are essential in cross-functional drug development projects. I have experience working closely with project teams, pharmacology, safety, clinical sciences, biostatistics, and regulatory teams. I make a conscious effort to understand the functions of team members from diverse backgrounds and effectively communicate modeling efforts and results to them. I believe in clear and timely communication, utilizing both written and verbal means, to ensure everyone is aligned and informed throughout the project lifecycle.
- Question: Can you provide an example of a project where you successfully implemented innovative modeling and simulation platforms/strategy to support personalized dosing decisions?
   Answer: In a recent project, I played a key role in developing an innovative modeling and simulation platform for personalized dosing in oncology. By integrating patient-specific biomarker data, pharmacokinetic information, and disease progression models, we were able to optimize the dosing regimens and improve therapeutic outcomes. The platform allowed us to identify subpopulations with distinct PK/PD profiles and tailor the treatment strategies accordingly, ensuring the right drug was administered to the right patient at the right dose.
- Question: How do you stay updated with the latest developments in the field of quantitative pharmacology and modeling?
   Answer: I have a strong passion for staying current with the latest advancements in quantitative pharmacology and modeling. I actively participate in conferences and workshops related to model-informed drug development (MIDD) and publish my work in relevant peer-reviewed journals. Additionally, I engage with academic research partnerships and consortia like IQ working groups to collaborate and exchange ideas with experts in the field. This continuous learning approach allows me to apply the most cutting-edge techniques and methodologies in my work.
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