Associate Director Early Stage Development (all genders)
Work Your Magic with us!
Ready to explore, break barriers, and discover more? We know you’ve got big plans – so do we! Our colleagues across the globe love innovating with science and technology to enrich people’s lives with our solutions in Healthcare, Life Science, and Electronics. Together, we dream big and are passionate about caring for our rich mix of people, customers, patients, and planet. That's why we are always looking for curious minds that see themselves imagining the unimaginable with us.
United As One for Patients, our purpose in Healthcare is to help create, improve and prolong lives. We develop medicines, intelligent devices and innovative technologies in therapeutic areas such as Oncology, Neurology and Fertility. Our teams work together across 6 continents with passion and relentless curiosity in order to help patients at every stage of life. Joining our Healthcare team is becoming part of a diverse, inclusive and flexible working culture, presenting great opportunities for personal development and career advancement across the globe.
Your role:
As the Associate Director and Head of Early-Stage Drug Product Parenteral Development, you will lead talented teams, focused on formulation development, drug product process development, and analytical characterization for New Biological Entities (NBEs) and Antibody-Drug Conjugates (ADCs), supporting preclinical through early clinical phases. You will shape the strategic direction of early-stage formulation and process development for new biological entities and antibody-drug conjugates, ensuring scientific excellence and timely project execution. Your experience with complex parenteral drug products such as (lipid) nanoparticles (LNPs), liposomes or controlled-release dosage forms is a strong plus. You will foster a culture of scientific rigor, innovation, and continuous improvement, while actively driving the adoption of new technologies - including robotic automation - to accelerate development. This role requires you to manage a diverse portfolio, collaborate across functions, and represent early-stage development in internal and external partnerships. You will interface with R&D, regulatory affairs, CDMOs, and technology providers to ensure clinical trial readiness and compliance with quality standards. Your leadership will be instrumental in shaping the future of early-stage drug product development.
Who you are:
- You hold a Master’s degree or higher in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a related field (Ph.D. preferred).
- You bring at least 8 years of industry experience in drug product development, with a minimum of 3 years in a leadership role.
- You have a proven track record in parenteral formulation and process development, ideally with biologics and ADCs, with focus on acceleration.
- You have managed cross-functional teams and external collaborations effectively.
- You possess hands-on experience or strategic oversight of digitalization and automation, robotic systems in formulation or analytical workflows.
- Your experience with complex drug delivery systems, such as nanoparticles, LNPs, or controlled-release injectables is highly desirable.
- You demonstrate strong leadership, strategic thinking, and problem-solving skills.
- You are an excellent communicator who thrives in a dynamic, fast-paced environment and values digitalization and automation in pharmaceutical development.
What we offer: We are curious minds that come from a broad range of backgrounds, perspectives, and life experiences. We believe that this variety drives excellence and innovation, strengthening our ability to lead in science and technology. We are committed to creating access and opportunities for all to develop and grow at your own pace. Join us in building a culture of inclusion and belonging that impacts millions and empowers everyone to work their magic and champion human progress!
Apply now and become a part of a team that is dedicated to Sparking Discovery and Elevating Humanity!
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WHAT WE OFFER
Money makes the world go round. But at Merck there’s more than just financial rewards. We offer a range of attractive benefits to help you work your magic.
Financial & Protection
These core benefits help to provide long-term financial stability for you and your family.
Health and Wellbeing
This pillar is important to us. Therefore, our health benefits are designed to support employees physical and mental wellbeing, e.g. health checkups or medical insurance.
Family
From our Fertility Benefit, to helping support your family life through all its different stages.
Time Away
Time to recharge and specific Leaves to support life events and choices
Life-style
Such as flexible working, gyms, car benefits, shopping discounts.
OuR RECRUITING PROCESS
Depending on the position (level, functional area, country) the process can vary slightly.
You apply
Complete your online application for your preferred role(s) that match your interests and qualification. If you cannot find a suitable role please join our Talent Zone and stay connected for your next career opportunity.
We screen
We review your application and if we determine that you are a good fit we will move you to the selection process.
We assess
You are interviewed by phone, via video and/or face to face.
Mutual agreement
Ideally you are the perfect match for us! We hope you consider us as your new employer.
Work your magic!
To guarantee you a smooth start our onboarding preparation begins.