Director, Data Science – Pharmacokinetics, Dynamics, Metabolism, and Bioanalytics (PDMB)

Job Description

We are seeking a visionary and transformative leader for the position of Director, Data Science, within our Pharmacokinetics, Dynamics, Metabolism, and Bioanalytics (PDMB) department. This role is responsible for driving the overarching data science strategy for PDMB, leading a world-class team of data scientists, and pioneering the development and deployment of cutting-edge AI/ML innovations.

The ideal candidate is a proven scientific and business leader with a "tri-lingual" ability to speak the languages of science, technology, and business strategy. You will be responsible for coaching, mentoring, and developing a high-performing team while forging critical partnerships with internal R&D functions and external academic and industry collaborators.

This role is central to our mission, requiring you to identify needs and opportunities and deliver data science solutions that improve quality and efficiency, enable critical Go/NoGo decisions and create substantial business value across our R&D portfolio.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership: 

• Define and execute the comprehensive data science strategy. 

• Coach, mentor, and lead a high-performing data science team to deliver transformative solutions.

• Maintain strong relationships with partner functions.

AI/ML Innovation: 

• Oversee the development and deployment of novel data science innovations.

• Deploy Generative AI (GenAI) and Large Language Models (LLMs).

• Create scalable platforms for R&D data analytics.

• Develop generative models for scientific applications using GNNs or Transformers.

• Design computational frameworks to enhance predictivity and augment decisions for complex therapeutic portfolios.

Cross-Functional Partnership: 

• Forge strong, collaborative partnerships with internal R&D leaders across Chemistry, Biology, DMPK, Bioanalysis, Toxicity, Formulation, and Translational Medicine.

• Engage with cross-functional stakeholders to identify and manage high ROI data science projects.

External Collaboration & Influence: 

• Identify opportunities for strategic external collaborations with academic institutions and AI institutes. 

• Keep a finger on the pulse of the field and represent the company at AI/ML events.

Required Qualifications & Experience

Education:

• Ph.D. or MS in a scientific or computational discipline (e.g., Biochemistry, Biophysics, Computational Biology, Chemistry, Engineering, Computer Science or related STEM field).

Required Experience:

• A PhD and a minimum of 7 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, with a proven track record of progressing leadership roles OR an MS and 10 years of experience.

Required ​Technical Expertise:

• Domain knowledge across multiple R&D functions, including but not limited to molecular design, bioanalysis, ADME, PK/PD, translational, and (digital) clinical trials.

• Expert-level knowledge of modern AI/ML, including Generative AI, LLMs, Graph Neural Networks (GNNs), and Transformers, applied to scientific challenges.

• Excellent communication skills to explain complex concepts in terms appropriate to a range of audiences.

Preferred Qualifications & Experience

• Demonstrated experience in building, leading, and developing high-performing data science teams.

• Project leadership and management experience.

• A strong record of publication in top-tier, peer-reviewed machine learning conferences (e.g., ICML, ICLR, NeurIPS) and scientific journals.

#EligibleforERP

Required Skills:

ADME, Bioanalysis, Biochemical Analysis, Biological Sciences, Computational Biology, Data Modeling, Data Science, Data Visualization, DMPK, Drug Metabolism, Graph Neural Network (GNN), Leadership, Machine Learning (ML), PBPK Modeling, PKPD Modeling, Project Leadership, Stakeholder Relationship Management, Technical Acumen, Toxicity Studies

Preferred Skills:

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.

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:

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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.

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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, 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

$187,000.00 - $294,400.00

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/International

VISA Sponsorship:

Yes

Travel Requirements:

No Travel Required

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Hybrid

Shift:

Not Indicated

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

n/a

Job Posting End Date:

01/7/2026

*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:R378875

Salary : $187,000 - $294,400