Associate Principal Scientist (Associate Director), Data Strategy and Partnerships

Job Description

Position Description:

The BARDS (Biostatistics and Research Decision Sciences) Real-World Evidence (RWE) Capabilities & Analytics team is looking for an Associate Director, Data Strategy & Partnerships with expertise in data strategy, advanced analytics, and partnership management to contribute to the development, exchange, and communication of evidence that demonstrates the value of our Company's pharmaceuticals and vaccines and provides our customers (payers, providers, patients, regulatory and policy makers) with transformative insights. The candidate filling this position will be working in a multi-faceted, fast-paced, cross-functional environment expected to interface both externally with partners or data vendors, and internally with Company leaders.

Primary Responsibilities include (but are not limited to):

• Horizon scanning, developing, and managing strategic partnerships to accelerate and generate insights that inform healthcare decisions and policy through novel studies, methods, and technologies

• Managing collaborations and effectively identifying and communicating data needs and capabilities with extended stakeholders

• Leading knowledge management and data innovation initiatives to increase access to and interoperability of data, data strategy, models, analytics, and evidence

• Conducting data analytic projects using standard and advanced analytic methods to meet business objectives

• Partner effectively with Value and Epidemiology teams to understand and address real-world data gaps and opportunities

• Maintaining awareness and communication of scientific and technologic developments within the fields of data science, informatics, and health technology assessment (HTA)

• Advancing, presenting, and publishing novel methodologies in the fields of data science and informatics at international/national congresses and in scientific and technology journals

We are seeking a collaborative individual that is comfortable working independently and can initiate and execute innovative projects that bridge data science, informatics, and emerging technologies. The individual should also be comfortable solving complex problems across matrixed and multi-functional teams (e.g., the Value & Implementation, Outcomes Research, and Epidemiology teams) and the product development lifecycle, bring a flexible mindset with the ability to identify, generate, and evaluate alternatives best suited to business needs, and have entrepreneurial perspective applied to research understanding and utilization of human health data in a rapidly changing environment.

Education Minimum Requirement:

• Doctoral Degree or master’s degree from a recognized school of medicine, public health, management, or programs in epidemiology, biostatistics, health policy, economics, informatics, or related quantitative discipline

Required Experience and Skills:

• 3+ years hands-on experience in the design and implementation of quantitative science methods in the healthcare industry

• Demonstrated excellence in interpersonal communications (written and oral) and consistent ability to execute on objectives

• Outstanding organizational and time-management skills to manage multiple and competing priorities

• Entrepreneurial and evidence of intellectual curiosity

Preferred Experience and Skills:

• Doctoral degree

• Experience with epidemiology, outcomes research, real-world evidence, value implementation, and/or health and medical informatics

• Experience critically evaluating data vendors and capabilities

• Experience applying artificial intelligence (AI), Generative AI, predictive analytics, and emerging technologies

• Experience in business development and strategic planning

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.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability status, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.  For more information about personal rights under the U.S. Equal Opportunity Employment laws, visit:

EEOC Know Your Rights

EEOC GINA Supplement​

Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination

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.

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 presence.This 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 Company is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the salary range for this job in certain states and cities within the United States. Final determinations with respect to salary will take into account a number of factors, which may include, but not be limited to the primary work location and the chosen candidate’s relevant skills, experience, and education.

Expected US salary range:

$153,800.00 - $242,200.00

Available benefits include bonus eligibility, long term incentive if applicable, health care and other insurance benefits (for employee and family), retirement benefits, paid holidays, vacation, and sick days. A summary of benefits is listed here.

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:

Regular

Relocation:

Domestic

VISA Sponsorship:

No

Travel Requirements:

10%

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Hybrid

Shift:

Not Indicated

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

n/a

Job Posting End Date:

02/25/2025

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