Job Description

The Precision Genetics group within the Data and Genome Sciences Department is recruiting a Sr. Principal Scientist, Precision Bioinformatics site lead for our San Diego based Companion Diagnostics (CDx) efforts. We are seeking an experienced computational biologist with a proven track-record in building a flexible AI/ML engine for strategies using relevant human data.

You will lead a team of bioinformaticians and data scientists to generate fit for purpose AI/ML models using a combination of our Company’s proprietary data assets and public data resources, to generate novel CDx models that can be deployed in clinical trials. You will also support preparation of regulatory documents in support of clinical trials. In addition, you will be the site lead for the DAGS function at San Diego and will have oversight of the biospecimen operations and biobanking.

You will serve as a strategic partner to our discovery and clinical colleagues and will shape data science and AI/ML driven discovery strategies across our company's immunology portfolio. You will also assume a hands-on leadership role, implementing rigorous data analysis practices, aligning resources based on scientific priorities, and mentoring and developing team members. You will operate in a highly collaborative environment, partnering with peers across multiple locations and in the broader scientific community.

In this exciting role, you will:

• Manage, mentor and hire outstanding team members responsible for creating an end-to-end AI/ML engine that builds, evaluates, iterates, and tests performance of increasingly improved and stable models using relevant biological and clinical datasets.

• Implement feature engineering engine to identify, extract, evaluate, and incorporate a comprehensive suite of multi-scale/multi-omic features derived from fit for purpose proprietary data assets to support rapid generation of AI/ML models.

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

• Identify appropriate public data sources to facilitate and augment AI/ML model building.

• Oversee biospecimen and biobanking operations.

• Tackle complex projects, anticipate, and overcome challenges, and forecast timelines for deliverables to support pipeline objectives.

• Supervise the work of junior colleagues when appropriate.

• 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. plus a minimum of 10 years research experience

• A solid track record of 5+ years leading high-performance computational teams and developing top data science talent

• Demonstrated expertise in leveraging computational analysis to derive precision medicine AI/ML models deployed in the clinic.

• Ability to code in R/Python and establish best practices for reproducible data analyses

• Strong ability to work and influence in complex matrixed organizations

• Excellent oral and written communication skills

• Ability to establish and maintain productive cross-site and high caliber external collaborations

Preferred Experience and Skills:

• Experience in molecular diagnostics industry

• Experience in biobanking and biospecimen operations

• Familiarity with functional genomics analyses of human samples

• Familiarity with animal models of immune-mediated diseases

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.

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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.

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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”.

Under New York State, Colorado State, Washington State, and California State law, the Company is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the salary range for this job. 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 salary range:

$184,800.00 - $290,900.00

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/International

VISA Sponsorship:

Yes

Travel Requirements:

10%

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Hybrid

Shift:

Not Indicated

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

n/a

Job Posting End Date:

09/9/2024

*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.

Job Posting End Date:09/09/2024

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.

Requisition ID:R307832