Clinical Research Scientist, Animal Health (Aqua Clinical Research Group)

Job Description

Are you passionate about advancing the Animal Health division to become the world’s leading animal health company while realizing your own potential? Do you possess expertise in fish clinical trials and fish pathology, combined with exceptional organizational and communication skills? If so, you may be the ideal candidate for our Clinical Research Scientist position, where you will play a crucial role in ensuring the global supply of our vaccines to the expanding aquaculture industry.

Position Overview: We are seeking a Clinical Research Scientist to join our Aqua R&D team in Bergen, Norway. This role will report directly to the Clinical Research Group Lead. Your primary responsibility will be to coordinate, manage, and document field trials for vaccine development in the aquaculture sector, serving as the trial monitor. You will ensure that clinical trials are conducted in compliance with Good Clinical Practice (GCP) standards. Additionally, you will perform laboratory and related research activities for select projects in collaboration with your line manager and contribute to various project-related tasks within a global research project team focused on development and registration of new products.

Key Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with other clinical research scientists and project leaders in the design and execution of field trials.
• Plan and coordinate field trials, ensuring compliance with local and national regulations.
• Ensure study protocols are strictly followed by all trial participants at trial sites, documenting that procedures, sampling, and data collection comply with GCP standards.
• Oversee the logistical handling (storage and shipment) of test products and samples to and from trial sites, monitoring and reporting on field/animal studies in a timely manner.
• Support sample and data collection for field studies assessing the performance of vaccine and therapeutic products in fish clinical trials, both in laboratory and commercial settings.
• Facilitate communication and meetings between our company and fish farms or contract research organizations (CROs).
• Perform quality audits at CROs and farms on behalf of Animal Health R&D.
• Conduct laboratory and statistical analyses when requested.
• Work in alignment with company quality systems (GCP/GLP/GMP as required) and the company’s Safety, Health, and Environment (SHE) programs.

Project-Related Tasks: As a project team member, actively participate in project discussions within R&D, organize and execute project tasks within deadlines, and write and revise laboratory procedures (SOPs).

Departmental (R&D) Tasks: Engage in general laboratory operations and maintenance, staff training, and ensure compliance with company quality systems and regulatory guidelines. Contribute to the development and maintenance of the company’s quality and SHE programs, and propose improvements to enhance overall R&D efficiency.

Required Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in aquaculture, marine biology, fish biology, or a related field (or a bachelor’s degree with 2+ years of experience in the aquaculture industry).
• Relevant experience in planning and conducting fish laboratory and field trials. GCP knowledge, certification, and experience as a clinical research associate are highly desirable.
• Experience in fish health, sampling, and analytical analysis is essential (a trained fish health biologist, veterinarian with fish experience, or equivalent training is ideal). Familiarity with commercial fish farming is a plus.
• Proficiency in clinical data analysis and statistical methods is required.
• Strong data handling skills and proficiency in Microsoft Office (especially MS Excel).
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in both English and Norwegian are essential.
• Ability to work independently with a problem-solving mindset while fostering a collaborative team spirit.
• Strong adherence to compliance and good work routines.
• Experience with vaccines is a plus; a genuine interest in vaccines is essential.
• Occasional travel to study trial sites is expected (up to 20%).

Our Animal Health division is a trusted global leader in veterinary medicine, dedicated to the health and well-being of animals. We are a global team of professionals working together to make a positive difference within animal care, the world’s food supply and have a deep sense of responsibility towards our customers, consumers, animals, society and our planet. We offer one of our industry’s most innovative portfolio of products, services and technologies that serve to prevent, treat, and control diseases across all major farm and companion animal species.

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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.

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Requisition ID:R324310