H-1B Visa Clinical Director Jobs
Clinical Director roles qualify for H-1B visa sponsorship as specialty occupations requiring at least a bachelor's degree in healthcare administration, clinical psychology, nursing, or a directly related field. Employers in hospital systems, behavioral health networks, and outpatient clinics file LCAs with the DOL before petitioning USCIS, and most sponsor H-1B visa transfers for qualified candidates already in status.
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JOB DESCRIPTION
The Senior Clinical Director (Senior Principal Scientist) has primary responsibility for planning and directing clinical research activities involving new or marketed medicines in the Oncology therapeutic area, specifically in our Hematology Section. Our company's Oncology medicines span all phases of clinical development (pre-clinical to post-licensure). The Senior Clinical Director may manage the entire cycle of clinical development for their assigned studies including study design, initiation, execution, monitoring, analysis, regulatory reporting, and publication.
Role Responsibilities:
Specifically, the Senior Clinical 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 Hematology drugs.
- Planning clinical trials (designing, collaborating on operational plans, etc.) based on the clinical development strategy.
- Medical oversight and overall conduct of ongoing or new clinical trials for investigational or marketed drugs.
- 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 publication.
- 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.
The Senior Director May:
- Actively engage with other functional areas in support of study execution.
- Work closely with a cross-functional group of experts in commercialization, regulatory affairs, statistics, and manufacturing to manage clinical development projects.
- Assist the Executive Director and/or Associate Vice President in ensuring that appropriate personnel are informed of the progress of studies of our company and competitors' drugs.
- Provide expert opinion, internally and externally, on relevant scientific questions within their responsibility.
The Senior 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.
To accomplish these goals, the Senior Director may:
- Author 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.
Education:
- M.D or M.D./Ph.D.
Required Experience and Skills:
- Must have experience in industry or as senior faculty in academia.
- Minimum of 3 years clinical medicine experience.
- Minimum of 3 years of industry experience in drug development or biomedical research experience in academia.
- Demonstrated success in overseeing clinical studies and protocols.
- Demonstrated record of scientific scholarship and achievement.
- Proven track record in clinical medicine and background in biomedical research.
- Strong interpersonal skills, as well as the ability to function in a team environment.
- Outstanding verbal and written communication and presentation skills.
Preferred Experience and Skills:
- Board Certified or Eligible in Oncology, Hematology or related discipline.
- Prior specific experience in clinical research and prior publication.
Required Skills:
Clinical Development, Clinical Documentation, Clinical Judgment, Clinical Medicine, Clinical Reporting, Clinical Research Management, Clinical Trial Development, Clinical Trials, Data Analysis, Decision Making, Drug Development, Early Clinical Development, Ethical Standards, Hematology, Hemodialysis, Hemodynamic, Intellectual Curiosity, Interdisciplinary Problem Solving, Mentorship, Nephrology, Regulatory Affairs Compliance, Regulatory Compliance, Scientific Consulting, Scientific Publications
Preferred Skills:
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:
EEOC Know Your Rights
EEOC GINA Supplement
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.
Learn more about your rights, including under California, Colorado and other US State Acts
Compensation
- The salary range for this role is $282,200.00 - $444,200.00. 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:
VISA Sponsorship:
Travel Requirements:
Flexible Work Arrangements:
Hybrid
Shift:
Valid Driving License:
Hazardous Material(s):
Job Posting End Date:
06/30/2026
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: R398110
This site is for Residents of the United States, Canada & Puerto Rico.
JOB DESCRIPTION
The Senior Clinical Director (Senior Principal Scientist) has primary responsibility for planning and directing clinical research activities involving new or marketed medicines in the Oncology therapeutic area, specifically in our Hematology Section. Our company's Oncology medicines span all phases of clinical development (pre-clinical to post-licensure). The Senior Clinical Director may manage the entire cycle of clinical development for their assigned studies including study design, initiation, execution, monitoring, analysis, regulatory reporting, and publication.
Role Responsibilities:
Specifically, the Senior Clinical 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 Hematology drugs.
- Planning clinical trials (designing, collaborating on operational plans, etc.) based on the clinical development strategy.
- Medical oversight and overall conduct of ongoing or new clinical trials for investigational or marketed drugs.
- 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 publication.
- 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.
The Senior Director May:
- Actively engage with other functional areas in support of study execution.
- Work closely with a cross-functional group of experts in commercialization, regulatory affairs, statistics, and manufacturing to manage clinical development projects.
- Assist the Executive Director and/or Associate Vice President in ensuring that appropriate personnel are informed of the progress of studies of our company and competitors' drugs.
- Provide expert opinion, internally and externally, on relevant scientific questions within their responsibility.
The Senior 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.
To accomplish these goals, the Senior Director may:
- Author 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.
Education:
- M.D or M.D./Ph.D.
Required Experience and Skills:
- Must have experience in industry or as senior faculty in academia.
- Minimum of 3 years clinical medicine experience.
- Minimum of 3 years of industry experience in drug development or biomedical research experience in academia.
- Demonstrated success in overseeing clinical studies and protocols.
- Demonstrated record of scientific scholarship and achievement.
- Proven track record in clinical medicine and background in biomedical research.
- Strong interpersonal skills, as well as the ability to function in a team environment.
- Outstanding verbal and written communication and presentation skills.
Preferred Experience and Skills:
- Board Certified or Eligible in Oncology, Hematology or related discipline.
- Prior specific experience in clinical research and prior publication.
Required Skills:
Clinical Development, Clinical Documentation, Clinical Judgment, Clinical Medicine, Clinical Reporting, Clinical Research Management, Clinical Trial Development, Clinical Trials, Data Analysis, Decision Making, Drug Development, Early Clinical Development, Ethical Standards, Hematology, Hemodialysis, Hemodynamic, Intellectual Curiosity, Interdisciplinary Problem Solving, Mentorship, Nephrology, Regulatory Affairs Compliance, Regulatory Compliance, Scientific Consulting, Scientific Publications
Preferred Skills:
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:
EEOC Know Your Rights
EEOC GINA Supplement
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.
Learn more about your rights, including under California, Colorado and other US State Acts
Compensation
- The salary range for this role is $282,200.00 - $444,200.00. 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:
VISA Sponsorship:
Travel Requirements:
Flexible Work Arrangements:
Hybrid
Shift:
Valid Driving License:
Hazardous Material(s):
Job Posting End Date:
06/30/2026
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: R398110
See all 1,121+ H-1B Visa Clinical Director Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new H-1B Visa Clinical Director Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding H-1B Visa Sponsorship in Clinical Director
Verify your degree aligns with the role
USCIS requires your degree field to match the Clinical Director position directly. A healthcare administration or clinical psychology degree typically satisfies this, but a general business degree alone often triggers an RFE. Pull the O*NET occupation profile to confirm the accepted degree fields before applying.
Target employers with active LCA filing history
Not every healthcare employer files H-1B petitions for leadership roles. Search Migrate Mate to filter Clinical Director openings by verified DOL LCA filing history, so you're only applying to employers who have already sponsored roles at this level.
Understand the prevailing wage tier for your market
Clinical Director falls under a wage-level classification the DOL assigns based on experience and supervision responsibilities. Use the OFLC Wage Search to look up the prevailing wage for your metro area before negotiating an offer, so you know the minimum the employer must certify.
Ask about cap-exempt status before accepting an offer
Hospitals affiliated with universities or nonprofits attached to higher education institutions may qualify as cap-exempt H-1B employers, letting you bypass the annual lottery entirely. Confirm the employer's cap-exempt eligibility during the offer stage, not after you've signed.
Get your clinical licensure documents apostilled early
H-1B petitions for Clinical Directors frequently require state licensure or board certification as evidence of specialty occupation. Apostilling foreign credentials and having transcripts evaluated by a NACES-member agency takes four to eight weeks, so start this before you have a job offer in hand.
Negotiate premium processing into your offer package
Clinical Director hires often have a defined start date tied to credentialing timelines. USCIS premium processing guarantees a 15-business-day adjudication decision. Make sure the offer letter or employment agreement specifies who covers this cost before you accept.
H-1B Visa Clinical Director: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Clinical Director role qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?
Yes, provided the employer requires at least a bachelor's degree in a specific field such as healthcare administration, clinical social work, nursing, or clinical psychology. Roles where any bachelor's degree satisfies the requirement, regardless of field, are more likely to face an RFE. The O*NET occupation profile and the job description's degree requirement language are the two documents USCIS weighs most heavily during adjudication.
Which types of healthcare employers are most likely to sponsor H-1B visas for Clinical Directors?
Hospital systems, behavioral health networks, federally qualified health centers, and multisite outpatient clinic groups are the most consistent H-1B sponsors for Clinical Director roles. Academic medical centers affiliated with universities often carry cap-exempt status, which lets them file H-1B petitions year-round without lottery risk. You can browse verified sponsors on Migrate Mate, filtered by LCA filing history for this specific title.
Can I transfer my H-1B to a new Clinical Director employer without losing my status?
Yes. Under H-1B portability, you can start working for a new employer once the transfer petition is filed with USCIS, without waiting for approval, as long as you've been in valid H-1B status for at least 180 days and the new role qualifies as the same or similar occupational classification. Clinical Director to Clinical Director at a different facility almost always meets this standard.
What documents should I prepare before an employer files my H-1B petition for a Clinical Director position?
You'll need official transcripts with a credential evaluation from a NACES-member agency if your degree is foreign, copies of any active clinical licensure or board certification relevant to your discipline, your current I-94 record, and a detailed letter from the employer describing the role's duties and the specific degree field it requires. Having these ready before the LCA is filed shortens the petition timeline significantly.
How does the DOL prevailing wage requirement affect Clinical Director job offers?
Before filing the H-1B petition, the employer must certify an LCA with the DOL confirming your offered salary meets or exceeds the prevailing wage for the Clinical Director occupation in your geographic area. The prevailing wage is determined by the DOL's wage level system, which factors in experience and supervisory scope. Use the OFLC Wage Search to look up the current wage level for your metro before entering salary negotiations.