Business Analyst – Automation, Analytics & AI

Merck • Rahway, NJ

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Business Analyst – Automation, Analytics & AI (BA – AA & AI) supports the identification, delivery, and sustainment of country-level automation, analytics, and AI solutions that enhance clinical trial operations. Working under the guidance of the Clinical Research Director (CRD) and in close collaboration with the RRO Automation Analytics & AI Lead (RAAI Lead) and Senior Business Analysts, the role assists with business case preparation, data analysis, dashboard/report building, workflow documentation, solution testing, training, and user support.
The BA – AA & AI helps ensure solutions are compliant, adopted, and continuously improved and may be involved in supporting alignment and scalability for regional and global solutions. As needed, the BA – AA & AI may also support initiatives driven by Regional Operations teams, such as Global Site Agreements (GSA), Global Trial Optimization (GTO), Global Sites Budgets and Payments (GSBP) and Essential Document Management (EDM).

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in life science discipline, business analytics, computing science, engineering, or related field, with 2+ years of hands-on experience in data analysis, process improvement, or technology-enabled projects (including exposure to automation platforms, analytics tools, or AI frameworks), or
• An associate degree or equivalent post‑secondary qualification in a life science discipline, business analytics, computing science, engineering, or related field, combined with a minimum of 4 years of relevant hands-on experience in data analysis, process improvement, or technology-enabled projects (including exposure to automation platforms, analytics tools, or AI frameworks).
• Business analysis skills: Ability to gather and document requirements, translate business needs into data or solution specifications, and support testing and validation activities.
• Data literacy: ability to analyze datasets, build reports, and visualize metrics; attention to data quality.
• Technical aptitude: hands-on with Excel and at least one BI tool; foundational understanding of automation platforms and AI-assisted tools, with willingness to learn approved platforms.
• Organization & communication: clear written/verbal English; structured documentation; effective collaboration in a matrixed setting.
• Compliance awareness: basic understanding of operating in regulated environments and adherence to procedures.
• Learning mindset: proactive, curious, and coachable; embracing feedback and continuous improvement.
• Automation Framework Design
• Business Analysis
• Data Analysis
• Process Improvements
• Project Management
• Regulatory Compliance
• User Acceptance Testing (UAT)
• User Feedback

Nice To Haves

• Exposure to clinical research operations or adjacent functions.
• Experience with Business Intelligence (BI) tools (e.g., Power BI/Tableau) and basic data wrangling (Excel/PowerQuery/DAX; introductory Structured Query Language (SQL)).
• Familiarity with workflow documentation and testing/UAT practices.
• Internships or project work in healthcare/life sciences/regulatory environments desirable.
• Current Employees apply HERE
• Current Contingent Workers apply HERE
• US and Puerto Rico Residents Only:
• 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 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: No
• Valid Driving License: No
• Hazardous Material(s): N/A

Responsibilities

• Assist in compiling business cases, gathering requirements, mapping processes, and documenting user stories and acceptance criteria.
• Conduct data exploration and prepare baseline metrics to define problem statements and expected benefits.
• Verify with relevant central repositories and teams if there are similar tools to avoid duplication; summarize reuse opportunities and recommendations for the Sr. BA – AA& AI and RAAI Lead.
• Build and maintain country dashboards and basic automations under supervision using approved platforms.
• Prepare test scripts, perform user acceptance testing (UAT) coordination, and document outcomes; support validation and release documentation.
• Support configuration and minor enhancements; triage user feedback and escalating defects/issues as needed.
• Produce routine operational reports and Key Performance Indicators (KPI) dashboards; maintain data definitions and refresh cadence.
• Track solution performance metrics (e.g., adoption, data quality, cycle time) and prepare updates for stakeholders.
• Ensure adherence to ICH GCP, Company policies, and local regulations in documentation and solution usage.
• Support change management activities (training materials, user guides, quick reference content) and deliver end-user training sessions.
• Collaborate with country, regional and headquarters teams, such as Sr. BA - AA & AI/ RAAI Lead, and Global Clinical Data Integration (GCDI) / Information Technology (IT) partners; share learnings and templates with peers.

Benefits

• 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

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level