Principal Medical Writer
Merck & Co. · Massachusetts
📍 USA - Massachusetts - Boston (MA Parcel B Laboratory)💰 $142,400via workdayFirst listed here 2026-09-24
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Job Description
The Clinical and Regulatory Strategic Communications (CRSC) department within Global Clinical Trial Operations (GCTO) creates and delivers high-quality regulated content in support of our development pipeline and enables data sharing for our customers. We are a strategic partner that ensures excellence and compliance with applicable laws while incorporating health literacy principles in the development of public-facing materials.
The Principal Medical Writer, in partnership with a project lead, leverages strategic and scientific expertise to develop, author, edit, and lead the review of accurate, clear, and compliant clinical, regulatory, and/or public ‑ facing documents, across multiple programs and therapeutic areas, in support of the company portfolio.
In this role, the Principal Medical Writer:
Is recognized as a subject matter expert in the design, planning, authoring, editing, and review of accurate, clear, high-quality documents that reflect applicable medical writing best practices (e.g., lean writing, health literacy) and evolving regulatory requirements
Is recognized as a strong scientific contributor and collaborator on cross-functional teams and demonstrates an understanding of team and project leadership responsibilities
Applies critical thinking, problem solving, and negotiation skills to implement innovative solutions to complex challenges across the medical writing scope of work (e.g., documents, content, processes, timelines, tools) while navigating project team dynamics
Provides program oversight by keeping project leads and/or management informed and escalates, as needed, issues that could impact timelines, quality, or compliance
Demonstrates expertise in medical writing-specific tools and technology platforms
Leads initiatives to improve medical writing processes and standards; may serve as a resource for this work internally and externally, as appropriate
Applies in-depth knowledge of clinical development, relevant regulations, disease areas, and company products. Demonstrates a developing understanding of the pharmaceutical industry beyond clinical research
Provides scientific and operational mentorship, coaching and/or project oversight to support other medical writers
May manage direct reports including workload, professional development, and performance management
Qualifications
Required: Bachelor’s degree or higher preferably in a health, scientific, or relevant discipline (e.g., life sciences, pharmacy, medicine, public health)
5+ years of relevant medical writing or industry experience
Required skills & experience
Experience managing complex writing projects in a deadline-driven environment and leading teams of medical writers and/or cross-functional team members
Ability to critically evaluate and interpret clinical data clearly, objectively, and in accordance with regulatory requirements and industry guidelines
Demonstrated critical thinking and problem-solving capabilities, with an ability to innovate, influence, and drive change
Demonstrated effective leadership across organizational levels, including conflict resolution, negotiation, navigating teams through ambiguity, and decision making
Excellent oral and written communication and presentation skills
Technical expertise in commonly used office applications (e.g., Microsoft Office Suite) shared document systems (e.g., SharePoint) and willingness to learn and adapt to emerging technology
Preferred skills & experience
Clinical and Regulatory Medical Writer (MW) :
Experience independently preparing a various set of clinical regulatory documents (e.g., protocols, clinical study reports, clinical submission documents) in accordance with regulatory requirements and industry guidelines.
clinicaltrialjobs
Required Skills:
Adaptability, Clinical Studies, Clinical Trials Operations, Data Analysis, Good Clinical Practice (GCP), Health Literacy, Medical Writing, Project Management, Regulatory Compliance, Stakeholder Alignment, Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), Strategic Thinking
Preferred Skills:
Clinical Trials, Leadership, Regulatory Submissions, Technical Knowledge
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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
$142,400.00 - $224,100.00
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
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