Merck · 18 hours ago
Associate Director, Data Science, Neurodegenerative Causal Biology
USA - Massachusetts - Cambridge (320 Bent Street)
Full-time
Hybrid
Lead/Staff, Director/Executive
$160K/yr - $251K/yr
5+ years expMerck is seeking an Associate Director in their Data, AI & Genome Sciences Department to lead data analysis efforts in neurodegenerative diseases. The role involves developing analytic pipelines to integrate datasets and drive precision biomarker discovery while collaborating with cross-functional teams.
BiotechnologyHealth CareMedicalPharmaceutical
Responsibilities
Lead data analytic projects to drive precision biomarker discovery, inform translational strategies, and enable data-driven decision-making of multiple Neuroscience drug discovery programs
Build and deploy analytic workflows leveraging state-of-art statistical and AI/ML methods to analyze single-cell and spatial multi-omics datasets, with a specific focus on target MOA and biomarker discovery in neurodegenerative diseases
Formulate and drive integration of spatial and single cell data to build unified predictive framework incorporating causal inference captured in different CNS cell types (e.g., neurons and microglia)
Collaborate with internal AI/ML teams to develop and incorporate new methodologies into existing frameworks to enhance data analysis capabilities
Work with experimental biologists, functional area experts, and clinical scientists to support drug discovery and development programs at various stages
Provide data science / computational biology input in research strategy, experimental design, provide data analytical input, and assist in interpreting results from both in-vitro and in-vivo studies
Communicate data analytic results effectively to project teams, key stakeholders, as well as the broader scientific community through written and verbal means, including proposals for further experiments, presentations at internal and external meetings, and publications in leading journals
Qualification
Required
PhD in Data Science, Computational Biology, Computer Science, Neuroscience, Bioinformatics, Biostatistics, Biophysics, Genomics, or a related STEM discipline, with a minimum of 5 years of experience in multimodal data analytics
Deep understanding of computational methodologies for single-cell and/or spatial transcriptomics analysis and extensive experience in their applications, preferably in neurological disorders
Experiences in leveraging advanced AI/ML models (e.g., transformers, foundation models), causal gene regulatory network reconstruction, and in silico perturbation simulation for single-cell data analysis
Ability to critically evaluate and apply novel data analysis methods in translational applications
Experience of integrative omics data analysis utilizing large public datasets from neurodegenerative disease patient cohorts (e.g, ROSMAP, SEA-AD)
Familiarity with neurobiology, particularly neurodegenerative diseases
Proficient in one or more programming languages (e.g., Python, R), HPC environments and/or cloud-based platforms, as well as version control systems (e.g., Github)
Strong problem-solving skills, self-motivated, attention to detail, and ability to handle multiple projects
Extensive experience to conduct research in a collaborative environment and excellent ability to communicate scientific questions, methodologies, findings and insights
Track record of contributions to peer-reviewed publications in the field of data science or computational biology
Preferred
Outstanding scientific caliber with strong capabilities to identify key analytic questions and formulate rigorous data analytic plans to address critical scientific needs of drug discovery programs
Familiarity with spatial transcriptomics data generated with CosMx
Benefits
Medical
Dental
Vision healthcare and other insurance benefits (for employee and family)
Retirement benefits, including 401(k)
Paid holidays
Vacation
Compassionate and sick days
Company
Merck
Merck is a biopharmaceutical company that offers medicines and vaccines for various diseases.
10001+ employees
Funding
Current Stage
Public CompanyTotal Funding
$5.59MKey Investors
Private Capital AdvisorsGavi, the Vaccine Alliance
2018-11-25Post Ipo Equity· $0.59M
2016-01-21Series Unknown· $5M
1980-12-19IPO
Leadership Team
Betty Larson
Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer
Dean Li
Executive Vice President and President, Merck Research Laboratories
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