Principal Data Scientist, Precision Genetics

Job Description

The Precision Genetics group within the Data, AI and Genome Sciences (DAGS) Department is recruiting a Principal Data Scientist/Director to integrate a plethora of genetics, multi-omics data and phenotypic data in consortium databases.  We are seeking an experienced computational biologist with a proven track-record in building causal AI/ML models using cross-sectional and longitudinal multi-omics data. 

You will develop strategy and lead the effort to generate causal AI/ML models using a combination of our Company's proprietary data assets and public data resources for our Company's novel drug discovery and/or biomarker development programs. You will work closely with our discovery and clinical colleagues and will shape data science and AI/ML-driven discovery strategies across our company's therapeutic areas. You will perform hands-on scientific work, implementing rigorous data analysis practices, aligning resources based on scientific priorities.  You will work in a highly collaborative environment, partnering with peers across multiple locations and in the broader scientific community.

In this exciting role, you will:

• Leverage genetics and other multi-omics data at both bulk tissue and single-cell levels in the UK Biobank and other databases to develop causal AI/ML models aimed at identifying novel drug targets or robust biomarker models for various therapeutic areas.

• Implement and evaluate current cutting-edge methods for integrating multi-omics and clinical data, identifying gaps that require internal development efforts.

• Supervise the work of junior scientists when appropriate.

• Communicate complex causal AI/ML models and insights derived from biological data to stakeholders via compelling visualization using state-of-the-art best practice.

• Collaborate with experimental scientists in a matrixed environment to develop research plans, optimize resource allocation, and maximize efficiencies to best execute on programs.

• Clearly 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 analytic sciences such as mathematics, statistics, computer science, physics, computational biology, plus a minimum of 8 years post-doctoral research experience

• Demonstrated expertise in methodology development for integrating cross-sectional and longitudinal multi-omics data.

• Proficiency in R/Python and familiar with best practices in analyzing large-scale multi-omics data

• Strong ability to work and influence in complex matrixed organizations

• Excellent oral and written communication skills

Preferred Experience and Skills:

• Experience in modeling genetics data

• Experience in modeling longitudinal multi-omics data

• Familiarity with functional genomics analyses of human samples

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 characteristics.  As 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:

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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 characteristics.  As 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 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”.

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:

Regular

Relocation:

Domestic

VISA Sponsorship:

Yes

Travel Requirements:

No Travel Required

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Not Applicable

Shift:

Not Indicated

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

n/a

Required Skills:

Biomarkers, Computational Biology, Computational Sciences, Data Science, Drug Discovery Research, Genetics, High Performance Computing (HPC), Machine Learning, Method Development, Omics, Scientific Modeling, Teamwork, Written Communication

Preferred Skills:

Job Posting End Date:

06/10/2025

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