Principal Data Scientist, Precision Genetics

Merck & Co. • Cambridge, MA

264d • Onsite

About The Position

The Precision Genetics group within the Data, AI and Genome Sciences (DAGS) Department is recruiting a Principal Data Scientist/Director to integrate a plethora of genetics, multi-omics data and phenotypic data in consortium databases. We are seeking an experienced computational biologist with a proven track-record in building causal AI/ML models using cross-sectional and longitudinal multi-omics data. You will develop strategy and lead the effort to generate causal AI/ML models using a combination of our Company's proprietary data assets and public data resources for our Company's novel drug discovery and/or biomarker development programs. You will work closely with our discovery and clinical colleagues and will shape data science and AI/ML-driven discovery strategies across our company's therapeutic areas. You will perform hands-on scientific work, implementing rigorous data analysis practices, aligning resources based on scientific priorities. You will work in a highly collaborative environment, partnering with peers across multiple locations and in the broader scientific community.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in analytic sciences such as mathematics, statistics, computer science, physics, computational biology, plus a minimum of 8 years post-doctoral research experience.
• Demonstrated expertise in methodology development for integrating cross-sectional and longitudinal multi-omics data.
• Proficiency in R/Python and familiar with best practices in analyzing large-scale multi-omics data.
• Strong ability to work and influence in complex matrixed organizations.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in modeling genetics data.
• Experience in modeling longitudinal multi-omics data.
• Familiarity with functional genomics analyses of human samples.

Responsibilities

• Leverage genetics and other multi-omics data at both bulk tissue and single-cell levels in the UK Biobank and other databases to develop causal AI/ML models aimed at identifying novel drug targets or robust biomarker models for various therapeutic areas.
• Implement and evaluate current cutting-edge methods for integrating multi-omics and clinical data, identifying gaps that require internal development efforts.
• Supervise the work of junior scientists when appropriate.
• Communicate complex causal AI/ML models and insights derived from biological data to stakeholders via compelling visualization using state-of-the-art best practice.
• 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Industry: Chemical Manufacturing
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree