Job Description
Our Artificial Intelligence Machine Learning (AI/ML) capabilities are critical accelerators to our mission of delivering towards inventing new medicines that save and improve lives. Core to the Data, AI, and Genome Sciences (DAGS) function is an AI/ML-first approach to improving target and biomarker discovery, validation and selection, and elucidating complex disease mechanisms. Your work will contribute to the advancement of our understanding of complex diseases and support the development of innovative therapeutic strategies. You will be part of a cross-functional team of computational biologists, bioinformaticians, data scientists, software engineers, and machine learning engineers that strive to identify therapeutic targets.
Primary Responsibilities
We are looking for a Data Scientist with a strong background in computational biology and deep learning. This role emphasizes multi-modal integration, foundation model inference, and graph-based reasoning to advance drug discovery by generating mechanistic insights and uncovering therapeutic opportunities.
Collaborate with diverse, cross-functional teams to define research objectives and data needs.
Develop, evaluate, and apply innovative approaches for biological inference from complex data.
Synthesize and interpret model results to enable in silico experimentation.
Remain informed on cutting-edge AI and biological research trends.
Required Experience and Skills
One of the following credentials
PhD in Computer Science, Data Science, Genetics & Genomics, Physics, Mathematics, Computational Biology, Bioinformatics, Biomedical Engineering, Pharmaceutical Sciences, AI/ML, Electrical Engineering, or a related field with 0-3+ years academic medical or industry experience,
Masters with 4+ years of experience, or
Bachelors with 7+ years of experience.
Experience with foundation models and/or knowledge graphs.
Demonstrated experience deriving biological insights from complex multi-modal data.
Strong proficiency in Python required, proficiency in SQL, single cell data, and/or spatial transcriptomics a plus.
Strong background in computational biology or bioinformatics is a plus
Experience with immunology a plus
A_ _s 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
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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.
Learn more about your rights, including under California, Colorado and other US State Acts (https://urldefense.com/v3/\\https:/www.msdprivacy.com/us/en/CCPA-notice/\\;!!DuJIhUBmA6S-!CgtKRhjWVCipNvp-c1-eOdkBke5VAYrFu\nO9xLpgYVUG7B9RK2-jLDMORIX8RP5gTenY6eWKbGwCnces0j8YBDCEJ3Y\AM$)
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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 (https://survey.sogosurvey.com/r/aCdfqL) 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 (https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2022-10/22-088\EEOC\KnowYourRights\10\20.pdf)
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 (https://www.msdprivacy.com/us/en/CCPA-notice/)
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 salary range for this role is
$141,900.00 - $223,300.00
This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. An employee's position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, geographic location, government requirements, and business or organizational needs.
The successful candidate will be eligible for annual bonus and long-term incentive, if applicable.
We offer a comprehensive package of benefits. Available benefits include medical, dental, vision healthcare and other insurance benefits (for employee and family), retirement benefits, including 401(k), paid holidays, vacation, and compassionate and sick days. More information about benefits is available at https://jobs.merck.com/us/en/compensation-and-benefits .
You can apply for this role through https://jobs.merck.com/us/en (or via the Workday Jobs Hub if you are a current employee). The application deadline for this position is stated on this posting.
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:
Yes
Travel Requirements:
No Travel Required
Flexible Work Arrangements:
Hybrid
Shift:
Not Indicated
Valid Driving License:
No
Hazardous Material(s):
n/a
Required Skills:
Artificial Intelligence (AI), Biological Sciences, Computer Science, Data Analysis, Data Science, Drug Discovery Process, Foundation Models, Knowledge Graph, Life Science, Machine Learning, Multidisciplinary Collaboration, Stakeholder Relationship Management
Preferred Skills:
Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Genomics, Omics
Job Posting End Date:
08/27/2025
*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.
Requisition ID: R361407
