Director - Pharmacometrics AI Lead

MSD•Rahway, NJ

13d

About The Position

The Quantitative Pharmacology and Pharmacometrics (QP2) department drives model-informed drug discovery and development (MIDD) to routinely enable efficient drug discovery/development and/or regulatory decisions. The Pharmacometrics group within QP2 brings an experienced leadership team, deep modeling expertise and state-of-the-art modeling approaches across multiple therapeutic areas and modalities to drive portfolio impact from discovery through life-cycle management. The team is externally visible and continues to be at the leading edge of building innovative state-of-the-art tools together with applying AI/ML techniques to drive pipeline impact. As we enter a new era of AI-driven drug development, our mission is to amplify MIDD through cutting-edge AI, advanced analytics, and automation. With AI/ML now integral to decision-making at our Company, this role gives the Director the opportunity to shape pipeline impact and lead a talented team of pharmacometricians. We are seeking a visionary Pharmacometrics AI Lead to shape and execute on a bold, multi-year transformation agenda within QP2. This Director will work with the Pharmacometrics Head to frame and deliver on the integration of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and digital technologies into quantitative pharmacology workflows—positioning our Company at the forefront of AI-enabled drug development. A strong core foundation in standard Pharmacometric Approaches (e.g., PK/PD, disease progression modeling, MBMA) is essential, alongside the ability to translate emerging AI/ML capabilities into practical, high-impact applications within clinical development and regulatory contexts. This Director will shape next-generation MIDD approaches, accelerate decision-making across the portfolio, and unlock new value through data, automation, and predictive analytics.

Requirements

Ph.D. with at least 8 years of experience where “experience” means having a record of increasing responsibility and independence in a similar role in pharmaceutical drug development
Educational background in pharmacometrics, mathematics, or statistics/biostatistics or a related quantitative discipline
Deep hands-on expertise in pharmacometrics (e.g., population PK and PK/PD analyses, model-based meta-analysis, dose-response and exposure-response analyses, disease modeling, trial simulation, optimal study designs, strategic decision analyses)
Demonstrated leadership in applying AI/ML methods in drug development with at least 2 years of demonstrated examples (through publications or other) of utilizing AI/ML/NLP approaches for drug development.
Proven success in scaling digital solutions from pilot to enterprise deployment
Deep knowledge of drug development, pharmacokinetics and pharmacology, MIDD principles, regulatory expectations, and the evolving role of AI/ML in clinical development

Nice To Haves

Demonstrated external visibility in the field of pharmacometrics, through publications, presentations, and involvement in professional organizations shaping the industry dialogue on responsible and effective AI adoption in drug development
Experience in developing quantitative strategies impacting pipeline decisions
Strong understanding of data architecture, cloud platforms, and modern analytics ecosystems
Hands-on experience with specific AI tools (e.g. Python/R/Matlab for ML, TensorFlow/PyTorch, cloud-based ML platforms)
Ability to participate in and to steer an interdisciplinary team, and to oversee the work of other scientists
Demonstrated ability to craft compelling executive-level narratives and influence senior stakeholders
Good interpersonal and communication skills that ensure teamwork and productive interactions among various personalities/areas of expertise

Responsibilities

Identify high-value, scalable use cases that can innovate and accelerate development timelines and execute on the strategic integration of AI/ML into QP2 pharmacometric approaches to advance MIDD across the portfolio
Evaluate emerging AI/ML technologies, lead proof-of-concept initiatives, and translate successful pilots into enterprise-scale solutions that deliver real-world value
Participate in our Company's key Enterprise-wide AI/ML efforts as a departmental liaison on such workstreams in partnership with IT, our Company Enterprise Strategy Office, and other Partner functions to implement robust AI solutions
Take a leadership role in influencing and driving a longer-term departmental strategy for utilization of AI/ML in Pharmacometrics
Collaborate with QP2 TA Representatives and Pharmacometricians to identify opportunities for AI/ML usage in MIDD on our Company Programs
Lead adoption initiatives through training programs and upskilling efforts, fostering a culture of innovation and empowering teams to embrace AI/ML methodologies
Initiate and manage external collaborations which include technology providers, academia, and consortia to develop new AI/ML methodologies and lead our external outreach to the scientific pharmacometrics community
Maintain a current understanding of emerging AI/ML technologies/vendors and lead assessments for application to Pharmacometric workflows
Take a leading role in developing Agentic AI workflows that drive efficiencies in standard pharmacometric workflows