Translational Biology Expert at Mercor

Translational Biology Expert | $110–135/hr | Remote (US & UK)

Mercor is seeking PhD-level consultants with deep expertise spanning preclinical development through early clinical stages. This is a high-impact consulting role supporting strategic decisions across drug development programs — from target validation through first-in-human studies.

Key Areas of Expertise

We are looking for depth in one or more of the following domains. Candidates with breadth across multiple areas are especially valued.

1. Preclinical Study Design & Execution

• Designing and executing in vivo studies linking molecular mechanisms to disease-relevant phenotypes
• Selecting appropriate preclinical systems (in vitro, ex vivo, animal models) with clear human translatability rationale
• Developing biomarker strategies spanning target engagement through clinical response
• Evaluating formulation and delivery approaches for tissue access across modalities
• Troubleshooting inconclusive or negative preclinical results and recommending next steps

2. Preclinical Data Interpretation & Decision-Making

• Building exposure-activity relationships from in vivo datasets to inform clinical predictions
• Evaluating preclinical evidence for drug activity at the intended site of action
• Assessing early safety observations and developing biological hypotheses
• Evaluating immunogenicity risk and downstream consequences
• Supporting portfolio-level decisions (advance, pivot, terminate) grounded in data quality

3. Early Clinical Program Design

• Determining safe and pharmacologically relevant starting doses for human studies
• Designing dose escalation schemes informed by pharmacodynamic timecourses and safety margins
• Defining patient selection and enrichment strategies using biomarker and epidemiological data
• Planning interim analyses, safety monitoring, and adaptive decision rules

4. Quantitative Pharmacology & Clinical Modeling

• Exposure-response analysis and model-informed dose optimization
• Population PK and PK/PD modeling, including covariate identification
• Longitudinal efficacy modeling, including time-to-effect and trajectory-based analyses
• Sensitivity analyses addressing missing data and protocol deviations

5. Clinical Biostatistics

• Statistical analysis planning across endpoint types (binary, continuous, time-to-event)
• Multiplicity-adjusted hypothesis testing and sample size determination
• Adaptive and interim monitoring design, including futility boundaries and alpha-spending functions
• Handling of estimand-related considerations including missing data frameworks

Ideal Candidate Profile

• PhD, MD, and/or PharmD in pharmacology, pharmaceutical sciences, biostatistics, quantitative biology, or a related field
• 5+ years of industry experience in pharma, biotech, or CRO environments
• Based in the United States or United Kingdom
• Direct experience supporting at least one program from late preclinical stages through IND or into early clinical development
• Ability to independently evaluate complex data packages and deliver clear, actionable recommendations
• Strong communication skills for both technical and non-technical audiences