Clinical Research Director Jobs in New Jersey
Clinical Research Director jobs in New Jersey are among the most active in the country, concentrated in pharmaceutical R&D, contract research organizations, and academic medical centers at every level from associate director through VP of clinical operations. Most hiring is in and around Princeton, Newark, and New Brunswick, where companies like Johnson & Johnson, Merck, and Bristol Myers Squibb maintain major research presences. The most in-demand specialties are oncology, rare disease, and late-phase trial oversight. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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The Executive Director (Distinguished Scientist) has primary responsibility for the planning and directing of clinical research activities involving new or marketed medicines in the Atherosclerosis section of the Atherosclerosis & Metabolism therapeutic area. The Executive Director will manage and oversee the entire cycle of late stage clinical development from Phase 2 to Phase V, including development of program strategy and design, protocol authoring, initiation, execution, monitoring, analysis, regulatory reporting, publication, and presentation at national and international meeting. She/he will lead cross-functional product development teams that oversee program strategy and execution, will provide internal scientific leadership for cross-functional areas supporting clinical trials, and will interact externally with key opinion leaders.
Specifically, the Executive Director May Be Responsible For:
- Evaluating pre-clinical and translational work for the purpose of generating early clinical development plans and Investigational New Drug applications
- Developing clinical development strategies for investigational or marketed medicines that incorporate the latest scientific developments, regulatory requirements, the competitive landscape, and commercial considerations
- Planning clinical trials (design, operational plans, settings) based on these clinical development strategies
- Monitoring and managing the conduct of ongoing or new clinical trials for investigational or marketed medicines
- Leading cross-functional product development teams that oversee overall strategy and execution for investigational or marketed medicines
- Analyzing and summarizing the clinical findings from studies to support decisions regarding safety and efficacy as well as new drug applications, clinical study reports, or publications
- Participating in internal and joint internal/external research project teams relevant to the development of new compounds, and the further study of marketed compounds
- Supporting business development assessments of external opportunities.
- Managing other Directors and/or Senior Directors responsible for Atherosclerosis clinical development projects
Work closely with the Clinical Scientists in the execution of clinical studies.. Work closely with a cross-functional group of experts in commercialization, regulatory affairs, statistics, and manufacturing to manage clinical development projects; and assist the Associate Vice President and/or Vice President in ensuring that appropriate Corporate personnel are informed of the progress of studies of our company and competitors' drugs, and of internal and external expert opinion on scientific questions relevant to his/her areas of responsibility.
The Executive Director is responsible for maintaining a strong scientific fund of knowledge by:
- Maintaining awareness of scientific developments within his/her area of expertise, in terms of new scientific findings, research methodologies
- Identifying scientifically and operationally strong investigators who can assist in the development of our company's investigational and marketed drugs
- Establishing communications with prominent clinical investigators in his/her particular field of interest, particularly those who will be willing and able to assist in the evaluation of our company's drugs
- Attending appropriate scientific meetings to maintain his or her competency and to maintain awareness of research activities in his/her area of responsibility.
- Author and/or oversee detailed development documents, presentations, budgets, and position papers for internal and external audiences
- Facilitate collaborations with external researchers around the world
- Travel on company business about twenty (20) percent of the time to manage future or ongoing clinical research projects.
- M.D or M.D./Ph.D.
- Minimum of 3 years of clinical medicine experience
- Minimum of 5 years of focused clinical development experience with demonstrated success in overseeing studies and protocols through completion, and experience in authoring regulatory documents and leading discussions with regulatory agencies
- Demonstrated record of scientific scholarship and achievement
- Proven track record in clinical medicine and background in biomedical research with a strong publication record
- Outstanding interpersonal and collaborative skills, as well as the ability to function in a matrix environment
- Outstanding verbal and written communication and presentation skills
- Board Certified or Eligible in Cardiology (adult or pediatric), Endocrinology, or Nephrology or related discipline
- Minimum of 7 years of industry experience in drug development
- Successful product registration experience desirable
Cardiovascular Diseases, Clinical Strategy, Clinical Trials, Cross-Functional Teamwork, Drug Development, Protocol Development, Regulatory Submissions, Scientific Leadership, Stakeholder Management
Preferred Skills:
Cardiology, Endocrinology, Nephrology
Current Employees apply HERE
Current Contingent Workers apply HERE
US and Puerto Rico Residents Only:
Our company is committed to inclusion, ensuring that candidates can engage in a hiring process that exhibits their true capabilities. Please click here if you need an accommodation during the application or hiring process.
As an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, we provide equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. As a federal contractor, we comply with all affirmative action requirements for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. For more information about personal rights under the U.S. Equal Opportunity Employment laws, visit:
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We are proud to be a company that embraces the value of bringing together, talented, and committed people with diverse experiences, perspectives, skills and backgrounds. The fastest way to breakthrough innovation is when people with diverse ideas, broad experiences, backgrounds, and skills come together in an inclusive environment. We encourage our colleagues to respectfully challenge one another’s thinking and approach problems collectively.
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The salary range for this role is
$310,900.00 - $489,400.00
This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. An employee’s position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, geographic location, government requirements, and business or organizational needs.
The successful candidate will be eligible for annual bonus and long-term incentive, if applicable.
We offer a comprehensive package of benefits. Available benefits include medical, dental, vision healthcare and other insurance benefits (for employee and family), retirement benefits, including 401(k), paid holidays, vacation, and compassionate and sick days. More information about benefits is available at https://jobs.merck.com/us/en/compensation-and-benefits.
You can apply for this role through https://jobs.merck.com/us/en (or via the Workday Jobs Hub if you are a current employee). The application deadline for this position is stated on this posting.
San Francisco Residents Only: We will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records for employment in compliance with the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance
Los Angeles Residents Only: We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance
Search Firm Representatives Please Read Carefully
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:
Domestic
VISA Sponsorship:
No
Travel Requirements:
25%
Flexible Work Arrangements:
Hybrid
Shift:
Not Indicated
Valid Driving License:
No
Hazardous Material(s):
n/a
Job Posting End Date:
08/27/2026*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.
Requisition ID: R410944
See All 11 Clinical Research Director Jobs in New Jersey
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Where New Jersey roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Clinical Research Director Job Market in New Jersey
A snapshot from current New Jersey openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring



Top Industries Hiring
- Chemicals & Materials
- Education
- Medical Devices
- Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals
What New Jersey Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in clinical research director jobs across New Jersey.
- Bachelor's or advanced degree in life sciences, nursing, or a related clinical field
- Minimum of eight to ten years of clinical research experience including trial management
- Demonstrated leadership overseeing cross-functional clinical teams and CRO partnerships
- Deep knowledge of ICH-GCP guidelines, FDA regulations, and IND submission processes
- Experience managing Phase II through Phase IV oncology or specialty trials preferred
- ACRP or SOCRA certification such as CCRA or CCRC strongly preferred by New Jersey employers
Clinical Research Director Jobs in New Jersey: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a clinical research director in New Jersey?
Clinical research directors in New Jersey are not required to hold a state-issued license, but most roles demand an advanced degree in a life sciences or clinical discipline alongside substantial trial management experience. Candidates typically progress through coordinator and manager roles at New Jersey's pharma or CRO employers before reaching director level. Earning a professional credential such as ACRP's CCRA strengthens candidacy, and familiarity with FDA regulatory requirements is treated as a baseline expectation by most New Jersey hiring teams.
Which companies hire clinical research directors in New Jersey?
Employers hiring clinical research directors in New Jersey right now include Colgate-Palmolive, Rutgers University, and Merck, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. New Jersey's dense concentration of global pharmaceutical headquarters and large contract research organizations means director-level openings appear consistently throughout the year rather than clustering in seasonal hiring waves.
Which New Jersey cities have the most clinical research director jobs?
Princeton, Piscataway, and New Brunswick have the most clinical research director openings in New Jersey. That distribution reflects the state's pharmaceutical corridor anchored around Princeton and the Middlesex County research campuses, while Newark draws openings tied to its academic medical centers and the corporate offices that have expanded there in recent years.
Are there remote clinical research director jobs in New Jersey?
Yes, and more than most fields, because a meaningful share of director-level oversight work, protocol review, vendor governance, and regulatory writing can be done off-site. About 67% of clinical research director openings tied to New Jersey are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, reflecting how normalized flexible arrangements have become among New Jersey's large pharma and CRO employers. Roles with active site oversight responsibilities tend to require more on-site presence than those focused on data and operations strategy.
How can I get hired as a clinical research director in New Jersey with little or no experience?
The most realistic path is entering as a clinical research associate or coordinator at one of New Jersey's contract research organizations, which regularly hire people without extensive experience and develop them through structured training programs. Employers like ICON, Labcorp Drug Development, and PRA Health Sciences operate New Jersey teams with entry-level pipelines. Completing an ACRP or SOCRA certification early, even before your first role, signals seriousness to hiring managers and shortens the time it takes to move from associate to manager to director.
Where can I find and apply to clinical research director jobs in New Jersey?
You can find and apply to clinical research director jobs in New Jersey on Migrate Mate, which lists current New Jersey openings updated in real time. Find roles that fit your experience and apply directly from the listing without creating a profile or going through additional steps.
See All 11 Clinical Research Director Jobs in New Jersey
Find roles in New Jersey that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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