Job Description

Our Research Scientists are our Inventors. We identify and target steps in disease mechanisms or pathways that could be inhibited or enhanced. Our goal is to isolate a compound that is effective against a disease target. Using innovative thinking, state-of-the-art facilities and robust scientific methodology we collaborate to discover the next medical breakthrough.

Overview

Become part of a highly cutting-edge and innovative Quantitative Biosciences department. Using robust scientific methodology, novel translational models, state-of-the-art instruments, and automated equipment, we engage in multidisciplinary collaborations to discover the next medical breakthrough. We have added new capability enhancements that allow higher-resolution interrogation of novel biology and the molecular mechanism of action of molecules that help advance the best drug candidates in the clinic.

The Opportunity

As an Associate Principal Scientist within the Quantitative Biosciences Department at our company, you will lead and guide the implementation of machine learning to discover meaningful patterns that will enhance our early target drug candidate discovery.

You will apply rigorous biostatistical and computational methods to help scientists generate novel and impactful hypotheses for target discovery. The Associate Principal Data Scientist is responsible for supervising data scientists and for providing stakeholders with an in-depth understanding of the data as well as developing novel computational pipelines and methodologies.

The ideal candidate we are looking for has a strong background in statistical methodology and machine learning, data analysis and interpretation, and high content imaging. This is an ideal opportunity for candidates who are intellectually curious and analytically minded. You should be able to communicate oral and written results effectively and concisely to various stakeholders with diverse backgrounds, balance shifting priorities, demonstrate strong leadership skills and build relationships among multidisciplinary cross-organizational teams.

As an Associate Principal Data Scientist, you will:

• Become part of a creative and flexible team; collaborate and work closely with scientists in biology, pharmacology, chemistry, and data science to develop strategies and novel computational approaches to detect meaningful patterns and connections in diverse sources of biological data (e.g., Cell Painting, arrayed CRISPR, novel target types or modalities, DNA-Encoded Library screening, Drug-Seq).
• Collaborate with Oncology, Metabolic Disease, Neuroscience, and Infectious Disease discovery teams to develop biological hypotheses for computational interrogation.
• Publish and present your data at conferences and recruit summer interns and post docs as necessary

You are a strong fit for this role if:

• You have a strong background in statistical methods and machine learning
• You have research experience in deep learning, object segmentation and image-based profiling methods like Cell Painting
• You have data analytic proficiency using Python, R, Keras, or TensorFlow
• You have a track record of producing scientific publications
• You have been involved in research projects in the pharmaceutical early target discovery context
• You have experience with multiple data modalities, e.g. genomics data and/or chemical structure data, and have insights on how to integrate them with image data and perform interpretations
• You have experience leading a multi-disciplinary research team and coordinating collaborative projects 

Qualifications/Education

• PhD in Epidemiology, Biostatistics, Computational Biology, Bioinformatics, Immunology, Molecular Biology, Computer Engineering, and 4+ years of working experience in computational biology, bioinformatics and machine learning in a pharma, biotech, or academic setting.

We are a research-driven biopharmaceutical company. Our mission is built on the simple premise that if we “follow the science” that great medicines can make a significant impact to our world. We believe that a research-driven enterprise dedicated to world-class science can succeed by inventing medicine and vaccine innovations that make a difference for patients across the globe. 

Who we are …

We are known as Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, New Jersey, USA in the United States and Canada and MSD everywhere else. For more than a century, we have been inventing for life, bringing forward medicines and vaccines for many of the world's most challenging diseases. Today, our company continues to be at the forefront of research to deliver innovative health solutions and advance the prevention and treatment of diseases that threaten people and animals around the world.

What we look for …

Imagine getting up in the morning for a job as important as helping to save and improve lives around the world. Here, you have that opportunity. You can put your empathy, creativity, digital mastery, or scientific genius to work in collaboration with a diverse group of colleagues who pursue and bring hope to countless people who are battling some of the most challenging diseases of our time. Our team is constantly evolving, so if you are among the intellectually curious, join us—and start making your impact today.

NOTICE FOR INTERNAL APPLICANTS

In accordance with Managers' Policy - Job Posting and Employee Placement, all employees subject to this policy are required to have a minimum of twelve (12) months of service in current position prior to applying for open positions.

If you have been offered a separation benefits package, but have not yet reached your separation date and are offered a position within the salary and geographical parameters as set forth in the Summary Plan Description (SPD) of your separation package, then you are no longer eligible for your separation benefits package. To discuss in more detail, please contact your HRBP or Talent Acquisition Advisor.

Residents of Colorado

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New hires in office-based roles in the US & Puerto Rico will be required, subject to applicable law, to demonstrate that they have been fully vaccinated for COVID-19 or qualify for a medical or religious exemption to this vaccination requirement that can be accommodated without an undue burden to the operation. However, subject to applicable law, employees working in roles that the Company determines require routine collaboration with external stakeholders, such as employees in health services, customer facing commercial, or research based roles, will be required to be fully vaccinated as a condition of employment.

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We are proud to be a company that embraces the value of bringing diverse, talented, and committed people together. The fastest way to breakthrough innovation is when diverse ideas come together in an inclusive environment. We encourage our colleagues to respectfully challenge one another’s thinking and approach problems collectively. We are an equal opportunity employer, committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace.

Residents of Colorado:

Click here to request this role’s pay range.

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. 

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Requisition ID:R196205