Director, Data Science – Pharmacokinetics, Dynamics, Metabolism, and Bioanalytics (PDMB)

Job Description

We are seeking a visionary and transformative leader for the position of Director Data Science within our Pharmacokinetics Dynamics Metabolism and Bioanalytics (PDMB) department. This role is responsible for driving the overarching data science strategy for PDMB leading a world-class team of data scientists and pioneering the development and deployment of cutting-edge AI/ML innovations.

The ideal candidate is a proven scientific and business leader with a tri-lingual ability to speak the languages of science technology and business strategy. You will be responsible for coaching mentoring and developing a high-performing team while forging critical partnerships with internal R&D functions and external academic and industry collaborators.

This role is central to our mission requiring you to identify needs and opportunities and deliver data science solutions that improve quality and efficiency enable critical Go/NoGo decisions and create substantial business value across our R&D portfolio.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership:

• Define and execute the comprehensive data science strategy.

• Coach mentor and lead a high-performing data science team to deliver transformative solutions.

• Maintain strong relationships with partner functions.

AI/ML Innovation:

• Oversee the development and deployment of novel data science innovations.

• Deploy Generative AI (GenAI) and Large Language Models (LLMs).

• Create scalable platforms for R&D data analytics.

• Develop generative models for scientific applications using GNNs or Transformers.

• Design computational frameworks to enhance predictivity and augment decisions for complex therapeutic portfolios.

Cross-Functional Partnership:

• Forge strong collaborative partnerships with internal R&D leaders across Chemistry Biology DMPK Bioanalysis Toxicity Formulation and Translational Medicine.

• Engage with cross-functional stakeholders to identify and manage high ROI data science projects.

External Collaboration & Influence:

• Identify opportunities for strategic external collaborations with academic institutions and AI institutes.

• Keep a finger on the pulse of the field and represent the company at AI/ML events.

Required Qualifications & Experience

Education:

• a scientific or computational discipline (e.g. Biochemistry Biophysics Computational Biology Chemistry Engineering Computer Science).

Experience:

• A minimum of 7 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry with a proven track record of progressing leadership roles.

Technical Expertise:

• Domain knowledge across multiple R&D functions including but not limited to molecular design bioanalysis ADME PK/PD translational and (digital) clinical trials.

• Expert-level knowledge of modern AI/ML including Generative AI LLMs Graph Neural Networks (GNNs) and Transformers applied to scientific challenges.

• Excellent communication skills to explain complex concepts in terms appropriate to a range of audiences.

Preferred Qualifications & Experience

• Demonstrated experience in building leading and developing high-performing data science teams.

• Project leadership and management experience.

• A strong record of publication in top-tier peer-reviewed machine learning conferences (e.g. ICML ICLR NeurIPS) and scientific journals.

Required Skills:

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 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 anothers thinking and approach problems collectively.

Learn more about your rights including under California Colorado and other US State Acts

U.S. Hybrid Work Model

Effective September 5 2023 employees in office-based positions in the U.S. will be working a Hybrid work consisting of three total days on-site per week Monday - Thursday although the specific days may vary by site or organization with Friday designated as a remote-working day unless business critical tasks require an on-site Hybrid work model does not apply to and daily in-person attendance is required for field-based positions; facility-based manufacturing-based or research-based positions where the work to be performed is located at a Company site; positions covered by a collective-bargaining agreement (unless the agreement provides for hybrid work); or any other position for which the Company has determined the job requirements cannot be reasonably met working remotely. Please note this Hybrid work model guidance also does not apply to roles that have been designated as remote.

The salary range for this role is

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 employees 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 can apply for this role through (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:

Relocation:

VISA Sponsorship:

Travel Requirements:

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Shift:

Valid Driving License:

Hazardous Material(s):

Job Posting End Date:

*A job posting is effective until 11:59:59PM on the day BEFOREthe listed job posting end date. Please ensure you apply to a job posting no later than the day BEFORE the job posting end date.