Sr. Scientist, Bioinformatics, Statistical Genetics
USA - Massachusetts - Cambridge (320 Bent Street), United States
MSD
At MSD, we're following the science to tackle some of the world's greatest health threats. Get a glimpse of how we work to improve lives.Job Description
The Precision Genetics group within the Data AI and Genome Sciences Department is seeking a Senior Scientist to join our Statistical Genetics team in Cambridge, MA. We are looking for a skilled statistical geneticist with experience in whole genome sequence analysis, large scale biobank data and post-GWAS analysis to identify novel therapeutic targets and support existing targets
Key Responsibilities:
Statistical Genetic Analysis: Deploy statistical genetics analysis approaches on large-scale individual level genetic data (sequence and microarray) from biobanks to identify and support therapeutic targets and identify novel patient subpopulations.
Phenotype Curation: Curate electronic health records (EHRs) to create novel phenotypes for analysis
Data Collection: Proactively identify relevant genetic datasets from public, internal, and proprietary sources through collaborative efforts
Collaborative Research: Partner closely with AI/ML scientists and disease area biologists to develop tailored analytical strategies for complex diseases across various therapeutic areas.
Strategic Partnership: Serve as a strategic collaborator with discovery teams to influence the drug discovery portfolio.
Hands-On Analysis: Implement rigorous data analysis practices and remain informed about cutting-edge statistical genetics approaches, particularly the implementation of AI/ML or omics integration.
Post-GWAS analysis: Perform post-GWAS analysis to generate target hypothesis and support
Omics Integration: Integrate genetic analysis with transcriptomics and proteomics data, including colocalization and QTL approaches
Emerging Methods: Stay at the forefront of novel methodologies in statistical genetics.
Project Management: Manage complex projects, proactively identifying challenges and forecasting timelines for key deliverables to meet pipeline objectives.
Validation Collaboration: Work with wet-lab biologists and disease area experts to validate targets and identify patient sub-populations.
Effective Communication: Present findings to project teams, internal stakeholders, and the broader scientific community through internal documentation, presentations, and publications in leading journals.
Required Qualifications:
Ph.D. in Statistical Genetics, Human Genetics or a related field, with a minimum of 2 years of post-PhD research experience.
Proven track record of over 2 years of applying statistical genetics approaches to large-scale population genetics resources for target discovery.
Fundamental knowledge of statistical and population genetics principles.
Strong conceptual understanding of statistical genetics analytic methods, including Mendelian randomization and fine-mapping/colocalization
Strong conceptual understanding of common statistical techniques, including regression, dimensionality reduction, network analysis, and data harmonization.
Proficiency in coding using R and Python, with the ability to establish best practices for reproducible data analyses.
Expertise in using common statistical genetics software, including PLINK, GATK, and REGENIE
Hands-on experience working with biobank data, including biobank trusted research environments (TREs)
Experience working with AWS or other cloud-based computational clusters
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Preferred Qualifications:
Experience in fields such as Neuroscience, Cardiovascular and Metabolic diseases, Immunology, or other complex diseases.
Familiarity with integrating transcriptomics and proteomics data with genomics data
Experience analyzing longitudinal data
Conceptual understanding of AI/ML approaches, including foundation modeling
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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 another’s thinking and approach problems collectively.
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05/4/2025*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.
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Tags: AWS Bioinformatics Data analysis Drug discovery Machine Learning Mendelian Randomization PhD Python R Research Statistics
Perks/benefits: Flex hours Relocation support
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