Job Description
Location: South San Francisco, CA, USA OR West Point, PA, USA (with some travel and opportunity for some remote work)
About Us: The Workflow and Data Capture (WDC) team within Pharmacokinetics, Dynamics, Metabolism, and Bioanalytics (PDMB) at our company's Research Laboratories is dedicated to optimizing data collection and utilization to drive the discovery and development of new medicines. Our team focuses on enhancing workflows through automation, data capture, data pipelines, and visualizations that support our company's translational modeling, AI/ML, and decision-making platforms. We work with varied and challenging data @types including enablement of automated laboratory instruments and robotic platforms, scientific results for decision support, and operational metrics.
Role Overview: We are seeking a full-time Data and Workflow Principal Scientist to lead efforts in streamlining data workflows and improving data integration. The role involves collaborating with scientists across PDMB and beyond to identify and lead projects that enhance data handling and application. The technically strong candidate will provide technical oversight of a small team of data scientists and work closely with the Senior Director of WDC and senior staff to shape and implement our long-term data strategy.
Key Responsibilities:
With a strong knowledge of current and emerging technologies, lead collaborations with scientists and IT partners to optimize data collection, access and use in drug discovery and development.
Provide technical oversight of a team of data scientists to develop proto@types, implement solutions, applications and integrations ensuring use of appropriate technologies, compliance with our company's data security requirements, and good coding practices including Git version control.
Collaborate on complex cross-functional projects, ensure optimal alignment of resources and delivery of value.
Build and maintain a broad network of scientific and IT partners.
Qualifications:
Education and Experience:
A Bachelor's (with 10 years), Master's (with 8 years) or Ph.D. (with 5 years) in Engineering, Automated Sciences, Computer Science, Biology, Chemistry or related discipline and relevant scientific expertise with laboratory automation.
Required Experience and Skills:
Strong technical skills including
Proficiency in Python with experience developing web applications using Flask, FastAPI, or similar frameworks
Experience integrating with REST APIs, handling JSON data, and working with third-party services
Basic knowledge of SQL and database operations with experience in relational database schemas
Familiarity with Git version leading a team of developers
Experience working in AWS or other cloud environment
Strong problem-solving abilities with demonstrated capacity to learn new technologies quickly
Strong interest in life sciences, ideally with experience with biological data
Proven track record of technical project management from inception through to successful completion.
Experience in leading and collaborating on cross-disciplinary teams with research and IT functions
Ability to develop and execute data strategies and drive innovative solutions.
Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
Preferred Experience and Skills:
Knowledge of OEM instrument platforms typical of biology, biochemistry or chemistry laboratory workflows in drug discovery and/ or development
Experience with change management
Knowledge of Posit Connect platform for application deployment and Docker containerization
Familiarity with CI/CD pipelines, application monitoring, error handling strategies, and basic frontend development (HTML/CSS/JavaScript)
Familiarity with data visualization tools such as Spotfire
Experience with prompt engineering techniques including prompt optimization, chain-of-thought reasoning, and designing effective AI interactions for data extraction and processing tasks
Awareness of data harmonization initiatives, standardized ontologies and their application
Why Join Us:
Be part of a collaborative and innovative team dedicated to advancing drug discovery and development.
Work in a dynamic environment with opportunities for professional growth and development.
Contribute to the development of new medicines that improve patient outcomes.
If you are passionate about optimizing data workflows and have a strong background in data science, people and project management, we encourage you to apply for this exciting opportunity.
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 (https://urldefense.com/v3/\_https:/www.msdprivacy.com/us/en/CCPA-notice/\\;!!DuJIhUBmA6S-!CgtKRhjWVCipNvp-c1-eOdkBke5VAYrFu\nO9xLpgYVUG7B9RK2-jLDMORIX8RP5gTenY6eWKbGwCnces0j8YBDCEJ3Y_AM$)
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Required Skills:
Amazon Redshift, Biochemical Analysis, Biological Sciences, Computer Science, Cross-Functional Teamwork, Data Science, Drug Discovery Process, Emerging Technologies, Flask (Web Framework), Git, JSON, Laboratory Automation, Learning New Technologies, Life Science, Mentoring Staff, Project Management, Python (Programming Language), RESTful APIs, Structured Query Language (SQL), Technical Management, Technical Projects
Preferred Skills:
AI Workflow Integration, CI/CD, Docker (Software), Front-End Coding, OEM Management, TIBCO Spotfire
Current Employees apply HERE (https://wd5.myworkday.com/msd/d/task/1422$6687.htmld)
Current Contingent Workers apply HERE (https://wd5.myworkday.com/msd/d/task/1422$4020.htmld)
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
$169,700.00 - $267,200.00
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:
No
Travel Requirements:
10%
Flexible Work Arrangements:
Not Applicable
Shift:
Not Indicated
Valid Driving License:
No
Hazardous Material(s):
n/a
Job Posting End Date:
11/14/2025
*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.
Requisition ID: R373134
