MSD Senior Associate Clinical Research

Merck Recruitment – Senior Associate, Clinical Research

Merck is inviting applications for the Senior Associate, Clinical Research position within its clinical research operations. This role focuses on clinical trial administration, site start-up, essential document management, regulatory submissions, clinical trial budgets, contracts, and investigator payments. Candidates with relevant clinical research experience, knowledge of ICH-GCP guidelines, and strong documentation, communication, and organizational skills may find this opportunity suitable. The job posting lists 22 October 2026 as the closing date, so applicants should check the official careers page and apply before the deadline.

Job Overview

Location note: The supplied posting does not identify a specific work location for this vacancy. It is listed on MSD’s international careers website for Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Latin America, and Asia Pacific.

Company Overview

Merck Sharp & Dohme (MSD), also known as Merck & Co., Inc. in the United States and Canada, is a global healthcare company involved in pharmaceutical research and development. Its clinical research teams support the operational activities required to conduct clinical trials in accordance with applicable regulatory requirements and research guidelines.

The Senior Associate, Clinical Research role supports study administration, documentation, regulatory and site start-up activities, financial coordination, and communication with investigators and other clinical research stakeholders.

Job Role and Responsibilities

The Senior Associate will support clinical trial operations by coordinating study documentation, site activities, regulatory submissions, budgets, contracts, and meetings.

1. Trial and Site Administration

• Track essential clinical trial documents and report safety reports.

• Coordinate the collection and distribution of study tools and documents.

• Update Clinical Trial Management Systems (CTMS) and study trackers.

• Coordinate clinical and non-clinical supply management with other country-level team members.

• Manage labeling requirements and coordinate translation change requests, where applicable.

2. Clinical Trial Document Management

• Prepare clinical trial documents and correspondence.

• Distribute, ship, and archive clinical documents, including electronic Trial Master File (eTMF) records.

• Assist with eTMF reconciliation and execute the eTMF Quality Control Plan.

• Update study manuals, patient diaries, instructions, and related documents.

• Maintain documentation confirming the proper destruction of clinical supplies.

• Prepare investigator trial file binders.

• Coordinate document translations.

3. Regulatory Affairs and Site Start-Up

• Collect and provide forms and lists required for site evaluation, validation, site start-up, and regulatory submissions.

• Obtain, track, and update study insurance certificates.

• Support preparation of submission packages for Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) and Ethics Review Committees (ERCs).

• Assist with submissions to regulatory agencies.

• Publish study results for GCTO and Regulatory Affairs (RA) where required by local legislation.

4. Budgeting, Contracts and Payments

• Develop, monitor, update, and close country and site budgets, including split-site budgets.

• Develop, negotiate, approve, and maintain Clinical Trial Research Agreements (CTRAs).

• Track and report contract negotiations.

• Maintain contract templates in collaboration with the Legal Department.

• Calculate and process payments to investigators, vendors, and grant recipients.

• Follow financial and compliance procedures.

• Monitor compliance and disclosure requirements.

• Maintain financial tracking tools.

• Obtain and process Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) documentation within required timelines.

5. Meeting Planning

• Organize meetings and prepare or track study memos, letters, and protocols.

• Support local investigator meetings.

Eligibility & Qualifications

The supplied job description does not specify a mandatory academic qualification or a minimum number of years of experience. Candidates should review the official vacancy requirements before applying.

Relevant courses to consider: B.Pharm, M.Pharm, Pharm.D, B.Sc. Clinical Research, M.Sc. Clinical Research, B.Sc. Life Sciences, M.Sc. Life Sciences, B.Sc. Biotechnology, M.Sc. Biotechnology, B.Sc. Microbiology, M.Sc. Microbiology, or other relevant healthcare and life sciences qualifications.

These are potentially relevant academic backgrounds for clinical research work, not a confirmed list of qualifications accepted by MSD for this vacancy.

Key Skills Required

• Knowledge of clinical research guidelines and ICH-GCP.

• Good Documentation Practices (GDP) and clinical trial document management.

• Strong Microsoft Office skills, particularly Microsoft Excel.

• Familiarity with Clinical Trial Management Systems (CTMS) and other clinical IT applications.

• Understanding of clinical trial operations, compliance, and regulatory submissions.

• Budget development, contract processing, and payment coordination skills.

• Excellent written and verbal communication in business English and relevant local languages.

• Strong negotiation, time management, and organizational skills.

• Ability to manage competing priorities and work independently.

• Problem-solving, conflict management, and decision-making abilities.

• Ability to collaborate effectively with investigators, study sites, finance teams, and multicultural stakeholders.

• Accountability, customer focus, adaptability, and a proactive approach to resolving issues.

Employment Details and Application Deadline

The vacancy is listed as a regular employment position. The supplied posting does not provide confirmed details for salary, visa sponsorship, relocation, shift timings, or travel requirements.

Application deadline: 22 October 2026.

According to the job posting, applications must be submitted no later than the day before the listed end date, so candidates should aim to apply by 21 October 2026.

 

How to Apply

Interested candidates can review the complete vacancy details and check their eligibility through the official MSD careers portal.

Apply Online – Senior Associate, Clinical Research at MSD

Current employees and contingent workers should use the dedicated internal application links provided in the original posting.

Job Summary