Director, Cheminformatics Modeling & Informatics
Boston, NH - USA
Job Summary
Job Description
Director Cheminformatics Modeling & Informatics
The successful candidate will bring exceptional matrix leadership and managerial skills to drive cheminformatics and data science innovation that amplifies pipeline impact across our discovery organization. They will lead a team of highly skilled cheminformatics professionals and create an environment that supports the growth of data science talent through sustained engagement with stakeholders in chemistry biology and IT.
In this role the candidate will guide the development and application of cheminformatics capabilities that enable and enhance decision-making across the drug discovery process. The team serves as a force multipliertranslating key scientific questions into scalable data architectures workflows and algorithmic innovations that are broadly deployed across programs.
They will partner closely with stakeholders to ensure optimal use of resources and platforms provided by our research divisions IT department and to embed cheminformatics solutions into the DMTA cycle. Through active participation in cross-functional and cross-divisional data science communities they will help shape and advance a data-fluent culture across the organization.
As a people manager the successful candidate will demonstrate a passion for talent development and foster a diverse inclusive and high-performing team culture that empowers individuals and strengthens collaboration across sites.
Responsibilities
Sets vision and strategy for cheminformatics capabilities and platforms that accelerate scientific learning and decision-making in drug discovery
Leads a multi-site team of cheminformatics and data science specialists spanning data engineering analytics and scientific software development
Actively develops talent fosters diversity of thought and builds an inclusive culture that engages and empowers all team members
Engages stakeholders across the drug discovery spectrumfrom early target identification and chemical biology through lead optimization and safetyto understand needs and enable impactful solutions
Translates scientific challenges into scalable data architectures workflows and algorithmic approaches that can be broadly leveraged across multiple projects
Drives development of next-generation cheminformatics workflows through integration of modern technologies including machine learning (e.g. generative and predictive modeling) knowledge graphs and emerging AI approaches
Ensures that developed capabilities are effectively deployed and adopted in collaboration with project teams and modeling partners
Builds and maintains strong partnerships with IT to co-develop robust sustainable platforms supporting scientific workflows
Balances strategic investment in new capabilities with effective utilization of existing solutions to maximize organizational value
Collaborates with leaders across Bioinformatics Biostatistics Quantitative Biology and Modeling to align on data science strategy and priorities
Contributes to cross-divisional alignment on the role of data science and informatics in the organization
Works closely with Modeling Structure and Biophysics leadership to identify opportunities where cheminformatics can enhance broader modeling and discovery efforts
Maintains visibility across the discovery portfolio to identify emerging needs and opportunities for scalable cheminformatics support
Education Requirements
BS MS or PhD in cheminformatics bioinformatics chemistry biology biochemistry physics statistics computational chemistry computational biology data science AI/ML computer science math pharmaceutical sciences engineering or a related STEM field
Required Experience and Skills
PhD and 7 years of professional experience applying computational and data science approaches to interdisciplinary scientific problems in drug discovery MS and 9 years of experience OR BS and 13 years of experience.
2 years of managerial experience with demonstrated strength in team building talent development and inclusive leadership
Experience designing and implementing modern computational workflows including coding best practices cloud-based systems and MLOps/DataOps approaches
Strong understanding of cheminformatics data analytics and data engineering in the context of early drug discovery
Experience enabling predictive modeling and advanced analytical approaches in a collaborative matrixed environment
Demonstrated ability to collaborate across functions and influence strategy across scientific and technical domains
Experience engaging effectively with IT organizations to co-develop scalable platforms
Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills with the ability to translate complex technical concepts into actionable solutions
#EligibleforERP
Required Skills:
Artificial Intelligence (AI) Cheminformatics Chemistry Cloud Computing Computational Chemistry Computer Aided Drug Design Data Modeling Data Science Drug Discovery Process Machine Learning (ML) Model Development People Management Quantitative Structure Activity Relationship (QSAR) Stakeholder Engagement Stakeholder Relationship ManagementPreferred Skills:
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The salary range for this role is
$236000.00 - $371500.00This 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
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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:
RegularRelocation:
DomesticVISA Sponsorship:
YesTravel Requirements:
10%Flexible Work Arrangements:
Not ApplicableShift:
Not IndicatedValid Driving License:
NoHazardous Material(s):
n/aJob Posting End Date:
06/24/2026*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.
Required Experience:
Director
About Company
Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, New Jersey, USA is known as “Merck” in the United States, Canada & Puerto Rico. We are known as “MSD” in Europe, Middle East, Africa, Latin America & Asia Pacific. We are a global biopharmaceutical leader with a diverse portfolio of prescription medicine ... View more