Job Description

We are seeking a Senior Scientist to join our Data-Rich Experimentation (DRE) organization, within Process Research & Developing Enabling Technologies (PR&D ET), located in Rahway, NJ.

Primary Responsibilities:

In this role, the chosen candidate will work with a team of scientists tasked with identifying, developing, and deploying data-rich technologies aimed at improving the manner in which process understanding is gathered. The tools that we develop are as diverse as the team developing them, and in this Senior Scientist role, the chosen candidate will leverage machine learning and other innovative data science approaches to enable our process research and development efforts across our company's small molecule, biologics, and vaccines portfolio.

Our DRE organization is responsible for the invention and application of new data-rich tools to support the scientists across process research and development at our company. We aspire to embed data-intense technologies into the fabric of our process development culture. This Senior Scientist role is a scientific position tasked with solving complex process research and development challenges in an interdisciplinary, collaborative environment via invention, development, and application of cutting-edge machine learning, deep learning, generative artificial intelligence (AI), and other data science tools. Ultimately, using machine learning and advanced data science approaches, we aim to elucidate a deeper understanding of our processes across diverse medicines and vaccines.

In this Senior Scientist role, the chosen candidate will leverage machine learning and data science approaches to help advance process-focused scientific research. This includes, but is not limited to, developing machine learning technologies for predictive science applications, using machine learning and digital tools to better extract all useful chemical and biological information embedded within experimental process data, leveraging machine learning, chemometrics, multivariate data analysis, deep learning, generative AI, and other data science tools to enable an improved understanding of the fundamental science of our processes, and leveraging machine learning to accelerate and optimally design experimental approaches. As such, the chosen candidate should have a robust background in machine learning, with an emphasis on the intersection of process-focused domain knowledge with digital and data science in silico technologies.

In addition to a passion for machine learning, the chosen candidate should have excellent interpersonal, communication, and collaboration skills. The chosen candidate should embrace and model our core values of diversity and inclusion, including fostering a supportive culture where all can thrive. The chosen candidate should be able to effectively collaborate in a dynamic, integrated, and multidisciplinary team environment. The chosen candidate should demonstrate a clear ability to perform impactful scientific innovation in a team-oriented manner that builds trusted partnerships across vast stakeholder networks. The chosen candidate should have a demonstrated ability to publish and present research, including an established track record of interaction with the broader academic community. The chosen candidate will join a diverse group of scientific problem solvers who are dedicated to creating the life-changing medicines and vaccines of tomorrow.

Education Minimum Requirement:

• 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.

• Highly-motivated and technology-centric scientist that is passionate about modernizing our process development practices across biologics, vaccines, and small molecule modalities.

• Demonstrated scientific ability through publications and presentations in scientific conferences.

• Excellent communication skills, demonstrated creativity, and effective interpersonal skills.

• Ability to deliver complex solutions under compressed timelines in a dynamic environment.

• Ability to work in a team environment with cross-functional interactions.

Preferred Experience and Skills:

• Background in leveraging a broad range of machine learning tools, including development and application of data science methodologies for predictive capabilities.

• Expertise in data analysis, including machine learning, deep learning, generative AI, chemometrics, statistical analysis, and multivariate data analysis.

• Experience in new technology research, including a demonstrated track record of identifying, developing, and deploying data-rich tools and methodologies.

• Collaborative research efforts that are praised by the broader scientific community and are exemplary of a multidisciplinary group.

• Evidence of cross-functional collaboration in an academic or industrial setting.

• Motivated to learn new skills, willingness to take on new challenges, and scientific curiosity.

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:
10%

Flexible Work Arrangements:
Not Applicable

Shift:
Not Indicated

Valid Driving License:
No

Hazardous Material(s):
n/a

Job Posting End Date:
10/1/2024

*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.