What are the responsibilities and job description for the Senior Data Scientist position at Merck?
Job Description
The S&T Data Science & Biostatistics team plays a critical role in enabling data-informed decision-making across Global Animal Health Manufacturing. We are seeking a Senior Data Science professional with strong statistical knowledge to join our team.
This role offers the opportunity to apply advanced statistical methods to complex challenges in pharmaceutical manufacturing, where data science applications differ from standard use cases: limited data availability, complex process mapping, and black-box bioprocesses that require robust statistical design and simulation.
You will contribute to key business areas such as quality control, yield optimization, maintenance, deviation management, and regulatory submissions. As part of an innovation-driven and globally dispersed team, this position provides an excellent platform to expand your expertise in both advanced data science and applied statistics.
Primary Responsibilities
Know anybody who might be interested? Refer this job!
The date shown below is the earliest possible closing date for this posting. However, we sometimes extend the job posting period as needed, so please feel free to apply anytime you see the "Apply" button available. You may also reach out to the recruiter directly via https://www.linkedin.com/in/badumtss/
Required Skills
Analytical Thinking, Atlassian Confluence, Atlassian JIRA, Biostatistics, Communication, Computer Science, Data Science, Economics, Git, Manufacturing, Mathematics, Pharmaceutics, Physics, Problem Solving, Python (Programming Language), R Analytics, R Code, R Programming, R Script, R Scripting, R Statistics, Statistics
Preferred Skills
Current Employees apply HERE
Current Contingent Workers apply 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:
No relocation
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
04/1/2026
The S&T Data Science & Biostatistics team plays a critical role in enabling data-informed decision-making across Global Animal Health Manufacturing. We are seeking a Senior Data Science professional with strong statistical knowledge to join our team.
This role offers the opportunity to apply advanced statistical methods to complex challenges in pharmaceutical manufacturing, where data science applications differ from standard use cases: limited data availability, complex process mapping, and black-box bioprocesses that require robust statistical design and simulation.
You will contribute to key business areas such as quality control, yield optimization, maintenance, deviation management, and regulatory submissions. As part of an innovation-driven and globally dispersed team, this position provides an excellent platform to expand your expertise in both advanced data science and applied statistics.
Primary Responsibilities
- Lead end‑to‑end data science and statistical projects to address manufacturing challenges, applying advanced methods (DOE, SPC, regression, GLMs, multivariate analysis, optimization, simulation, predictive modeling, machine learning, etc.)
- Perform data quality assessments, maintain metadata awareness, and prepare reports for stakeholders and regulatory submissions
- Develop reproducible, well‑documented code and data science pipelines
- Automate repeatable tasks and integrate data science into operational workflows
- Mentor colleagues and upskill stakeholders in statistical and data-driven thinking
- Communicate complex statistical and modeling results clearly, to both technical and non-technical audiences, and provide actionable recommendations
- Stay current with modern predictive modeling, statistical methods, machine learning and AI methodologies
- Collaborate closely with Operations, Quality, Engineering, and Regulatory teams across regions
- MSc (or higher) in Statistics, Mathematics, Computer Science, Physics, Economics, or related field with strong statistical and data science emphasis
- Relevant hands-on experience in a data science, statistician or biostatistics role, preferably in pharmaceutical or manufacturing environments
- Strong knowledge of DOE, SPC, GLMs, multivariate methods, simulations, predictive modeling, time series, stochastic processes, optimization, and machine learning
- Proficiency in R and/or Python
- Strong coding practices, with experience using collaborative tools (e.g., Git)
- Ability to work with incomplete or imperfect data and interpret results within the manufacturing/business context
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Comfortable working independently as well as collaboratively in a global team
- Experience applying AI methodologies
- Exposure to Agile/DevOps practices and tools (JIRA, Confluence, Git)
- Familiarity with distributed compute environments (e.g., Spark)
- Experience generating statistical reports for regulatory filings or audits
- Willingness to travel
- Exciting work in a great team, global projects, international environment
- Opportunity to learn and grow professionally within the company globally
- Hybrid working model, flexible role pattern
- Internal reward system plus referral program
- Up-to-date laptop and iPhone, parking in the garage for drivers or showers for bikers
- Competitive salary, incentive pay, and many more
Know anybody who might be interested? Refer this job!
The date shown below is the earliest possible closing date for this posting. However, we sometimes extend the job posting period as needed, so please feel free to apply anytime you see the "Apply" button available. You may also reach out to the recruiter directly via https://www.linkedin.com/in/badumtss/
Required Skills
Analytical Thinking, Atlassian Confluence, Atlassian JIRA, Biostatistics, Communication, Computer Science, Data Science, Economics, Git, Manufacturing, Mathematics, Pharmaceutics, Physics, Problem Solving, Python (Programming Language), R Analytics, R Code, R Programming, R Script, R Scripting, R Statistics, Statistics
Preferred Skills
Current Employees apply HERE
Current Contingent Workers apply 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:
No relocation
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
04/1/2026
- 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.