Job Description

An amazing opportunity has arisen for a Therapy Area Lead (TAL) in Ophthalmology within the PASEBA (PACE/SEE/Baltics) Cluster.

This position will be responsible for developing and executing medical affairs plans related to the assigned ophthalmology therapy area across the cluster, ensuring that strategies effectively address identified medical and scientific needs.

The Therapy Area Lead will also be an impactful member of regional, cluster, and country cross-functional teams, actively contributing to collaborative initiatives and supporting alignment across markets.

What you will do:  

Bring energy, knowledge, innovation and leadership to carry out the following:

• Lead the planning and implementation of cluster-level medical activities in ophthalmology across PASEBA, including development and execution of the Cluster Medical Affairs Plan that reflects local standards of care, reimbursement environments and clinical practice.
• Build and maintain strong scientific engagement with the ophthalmology community in PASEBA, including scientific leaders and key decision makers, through credible, unbiased exchange of scientific information, advisory boards and tailored educational activities.
• Identify clinical care gaps and unmet scientific needs, driving local data generation and other relevant studies (from feasibility to protocol input and implementation) and contributing insights to global medical strategy and publication plans.
• Represent the PASEBA Cluster within Regional Medical Affairs and collaborate closely with clinical operations to support study allocation, site and investigator selection, and feasibility assessments for global and regional ophthalmology studies.
• Partner actively with cross-functional cluster, country and regional teams (e.g. market access, HEOR, commercial) to provide scientific input into access, reimbursement, and broader brand strategies and initiatives in ophthalmology.
• Maintain a high level of expertise in ophthalmology and be recognized internally and externally as the scientific lead for the therapy area within the PASEBA Cluster.
• The role is open to candidates from any of the listed countries, and does not not require relocation as can be performed from any of those locations.

What skills you will need:

In order to excel in this role, you will more than likely have:

• A Medical Degree (preferred) or a PhD/PharmD in life sciences
• Strong relevant prior experience within ophthalmology preferred
• Proficient understanding of the drug development process and of diseases and therapies within ophthalmology.
• Strong ethics and integrity, with excellent interpersonal skills for engaging and managing scientific leaders and authorities.
• A collaborative, agile, problem-solving mindset, with a proactive “can do” attitude and passion for the ophthalmology therapy area.
• Proven ability to work effectively in a matrix organization as a team player and action-oriented networker across departments and cultures.
• Demonstrated leadership behaviors focused on delivering value for patients and customers, acting with candor and courage, and making rapid, disciplined decisions.
• Strong stewardship skills, with excellent presentation skills and the ability to communicate complex scientific information clearly.
• Excellent understanding of core systems, tools and metrics used in medical affairs and clinical development settings.
• Fluency in English at a proficiency level.

Why Join Us?

As a company, we are committed to keep the patient at the very heart of all that we do and strive to find solutions and treatments for some of the world’s most challenging healthcare needs. 

We are proud to be a company that embraces the value of bringing talented, and committed people together. The fastest way to breakthrough innovation is when varied ideas come together in an inclusive environment.

So, if you are ready to shape the future of ophthalmology across the PASEBA Cluster and lead impactful medical strategy at a regional level, please apply today.

Required Skills:

Adaptability, Data Analysis, Healthcare Education, Interpersonal Relationships, Medical Affairs, Medical Knowledge, Project Management, Scientific Communications, Strategic Planning, Strategic Thinking

Preferred Skills:

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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:

VISA Sponsorship:

Travel Requirements:

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Remote

Shift:

Valid Driving License:

Hazardous Material(s):

Job Posting End Date:

03/3/2026

*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.