Director, Statistical Genetics

Job Description

The Precision Genetics group within the Data and Genome Sciences Department is recruiting a Director to lead the Statistical Genetics team based in Cambridge, MA. We are seeking an experienced statistical geneticist with a proven track-record of delivering novel targets/biomarkers from analyses of Biobank scale human genetics data and proprietary our Company data assets.

You will lead a team of statistical geneticists to create bespoke strategies for specific complex diseases across multiple therapeutic areas.  As such you will leverage our Company data assets along with public data resources to identify disease mechanisms with a goal to deliver novel targets with human genetics support.

You will serve as a strategic partner to our discovery and clinical colleagues and will shape the genetics strategies across our company's drug discovery portfolio. You will also assume a hands-on leadership role, implementing rigorous data analysis practices, aligning resources based on scientific priorities, and mentoring and developing team members. You will operate in a highly collaborative environment, partnering with peers across multiple locations and in the broader scientific community.

In this exciting role, you will:

• Manage, mentor and hire outstanding team members responsible for creating bespoke target discovery and precision medicine strategies across therapeutic areas

• Design and implement a cloud-scale discovery engine based on human genetics data which can be adapted quickly to understand disease mechanism, patient sub-populations and discover novel drug targets

• Conduct fit-for-purpose GWAS/RVAS from Biobank scale data (UKBB, FinnGen and others) and meta analyze summary statistics

• Perform post-GWAS analysis (Fine mapping, colocalization, functional enrichment, Mendelian Randomization, TWAS, PrediXcan, LDSC etc.)

• Integrate GWAS with RNA-seq, ATAC-seq, ChIP-seq, QTLs etc. to generate multiple layers of evidence to prioritize candidate targets and understand disease mechanism.

• Be at the cutting edge of emerging methods in statistical genetics

• Tackle complex projects, anticipate, and overcome challenges, and forecast timelines for deliverables to support pipeline objectives

• Collaborate with wet-lab biologists and disease area experts to validate disease mechanisms and patient sub-populations

• Communicate results to project teams, our company's scientific community, and the external scientific community through internal documents, presentations, and publications in leading journals

Required Experience and Skills:

• Ph.D. in statistical genetics, genetic epidemiology, or related field, plus a minimum of 7 years post-PhD research experience

• A solid track record of 5+ years managing (direct or matrix) high-performing statistical genetics teams.

• Strong foundational knowledge of statistical/population genetics (GWAS, QTL mapping, heritability estimation, etc.)

• Demonstrated experience applying post-GWAS analyses to understand disease mechanisms (fine mapping, colocalization, functional enrichment, etc.)

• Demonstrated experience in generating SNP imputations models for endophenotypes (PrediXcan etc)

• Demonstrated expertise in using human genetics to deliver novel drug targets (Mendelian Randomization, TWAS)

• Ability to code in R/Python and establish best practices for reproducible data analyses.

• Strong ability to work and influence in complex matrixed organizations.

• Excellent oral and written communication skills

Preferred Experience and Skills:

• Experience in any if Neuroscience, Cardiovascular and Metabolic diseases, Immunology or other complex diseases

• Experience in integrating single-cell transcriptomics with human genetics

#eligibleforERP

#DATA2024

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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”.

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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:

Regular

Relocation:

Domestic

VISA Sponsorship:

Yes

Travel Requirements:

10%

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Not Applicable

Shift:

1st - Day

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

n/a

Required Skills:

Business Intelligence (BI), Database Design, Data Engineering, Data Modeling, Data Science, Data Visualization, Machine Learning, Software Development, Stakeholder Relationship Management, Waterfall Model

Preferred Skills:

Job Posting End Date:

03/14/2025

*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.