Senior Scientist - Machine Learning, Analytical Research and Development (Onsite)

Job Description

Description:

Our Scientists are our Inventors. We deliver robust scientific data and interpretation that drives the commercialization of breakthrough therapeutics using innovative thinking, state-of-the-art facilities and modern equipment. Our ability to excel depends on the integrity, knowledge, imagination, skill, diversity and teamwork of people like you. To this end, we strive to create an environment of mutual respect, encouragement and teamwork. As part of our global team, you’ll have the opportunity to collaborate with talented and dedicated colleagues while developing your career.

The Analytical Research and Development organization in Rahway, NJ is seeking a motivated Senior Scientist with technical expertise in predictive sciences and an ability to apply digital solutions to support our Company’s pipeline of small molecule drugs, peptides, biologics, and vaccines. Application of predictive sciences may include building models using multivariate analysis, machine learning, deep learning, generative AI, or other data science tools. The successful candidate is expected to collaboratively work with synthetic, computational, and analytical scientists, understand their problem statements, and collaboratively design and apply predictive models. There will be a strong focus on modeling large molecule stability data. The candidate must be able to work proactively and independently and influence decisions and solutions spanning a wide diversity of problem statements across our Company Research Laboratories. The role will require the candidate to network across a range of departments and effectively collaborate with stakeholders. The candidate should exemplify positive ways of working which support diversity, inclusion, and a positive culture. The chosen candidate should have a demonstrated ability to publish and present research, including an established track record of interaction with the broader scientific community.

Establishing data workflows, data visualizations, and predictive tools to enable more effective identification, characterization, and development of novel medicines and vaccines is a key objective for our Company. This position sits within the Digital Sciences team in the Analytical Enabling Capabilities sub-department of Analytical Research & Development. You will be part of a team working collaboratively across a wide range of areas impacting all aspects of the drug discovery and development pipeline. A diverse array of projects spanning data ingestion and analysis workflows to instrument metrology to predictive sciences will be encountered in this role. The core Digital Sciences team works with a networked group of digital champions across AR&D and has close connectivity to other digital facing teams across our Company Research Laboratories including critical IT collaborators.

Primary Responsibilities

• Design and application of predictive models.

• Data curation and support in defining needs for automation of data ingestion.

• Influence definition of digital strategy.

• Application of other data science, analysis, and visualization workflows

• Meet with collaborators to collect requirements.

• Manage projects and timelines.

• Presentation of updates to collaborators.

Education Requirements

• A Ph.D. in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Engineering, Data Science, Mathematics, Physics, Biology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or a closely-related field

• A M.S. in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Engineering, Data Science, Mathematics, Physics, Biology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or a closely-related field with at least 2 years of relevant experience

• A B.S. in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Engineering, Data Science, Mathematics, Physics, Biology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or a closely-related field with at least 4 years of relevant experience

Required Experience and Skills

• Background and experience in machine learning, deep learning, chemometrics, multivariate analysis, generative AI, and data science.

• Development and application of pharmaceutically relevant predictive models

• Familiar with programming in R and/or Python and Posit/RStudio/Jupyter

• Experience with PyTorch or TensorFlow or Keras or TidyModels

• Experience with data visualization tools (Shiny, Spotfire, Dash, PowerBI, or Tableau)

• Version control using Git and GitHub

• Experience with data curation and analysis

• Work independently and be able to collaborate as a team

• Strive for continuous improvement and suggest innovative solutions to scientists’ common challenges related to data modeling

• Insatiable curiosity to learn with the end goal of understanding the scientific problem statement and designing programs, software, or solutions to meet the end users’ needs

• Excellent verbal and written communications skills

​

Preferred Experience and Skills

• Demonstrated experience with modeling large molecule biological products and vaccine stability data

• Knowledge of chemical matter across one or more modalities (small molecule, peptide, biologics, vaccines)

• Connecting to AWS (S3, RedShift, Glue, Athena, SageMaker) as a data source for data visualization

• Track record of impact in the pharmaceutical industry with relevant examples directed towards pipeline objectives

• Experience with data pipeline tools such as Dataiku or Databricks

• Experience with relational databases, graph databases, and SQL

#EligibleFor E

NOTICE FOR INTERNAL APPLICANTS

In accordance with Managers' Policy - Job Posting and Employee Placement, all employees subject to this policy are required to have a minimum of twelve (12) months of service in current position prior to applying for open positions.

If you have been offered a separation benefits package, but have not yet reached your separation date and are offered a position within the salary and geographical parameters as set forth in the Summary Plan Description (SPD) of your separation package, then you are no longer eligible for your separation benefits package. To discuss in more detail, please contact your HRBP or Talent Acquisition Advisor.

Employees working in roles that the Company determines require routine collaboration with external stakeholders, such as customer-facing commercial, or research-based roles, will be expected to comply not only with Company policy but also with policies established by such external stakeholders (for example, a requirement to be vaccinated against COVID-19 in order to access a facility or meet with stakeholders).  Please understand that, as permitted by applicable law, if you have not been vaccinated against COVID-19 and an essential function of your job is to call on external stakeholders who require vaccination to enter their premises or engage in face-to-face meetings, then your employment may pose an undue burden to business operations, in which case you may not be offered employment, or your employment could be terminated. Please also note that, where permitted by applicable law, the Company reserves the right to require COVID-19 vaccinations for positions, such as in Global Employee Health, where the Company determines in its discretion that the nature of the role presents an increased risk of disease transmission.

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, generally Tuesday, Wednesday and either Monday or 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:

$111,400.00 - $175,300.00

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.

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:

Yes

Travel Requirements:

No Travel Required

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Not Applicable

Shift:

Not Indicated

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

NA

Job Posting End Date:

10/15/2024

*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.