Artificial Intelligence (AI) Ethics and Governance Senior Specialist

MSD

United Kingdom

Hybrid

GBP 98,000 - 154,000

Full time

8 days ago

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Job summary

Merck & Co., Inc. is seeking an AI Ethics and Governance Senior Specialist to join our global team, developing AI risk assessment and governance processes across the organization.

You will work with subject matter experts and stakeholders across the business to ensure responsible AI practices and regulatory compliance. The role involves collaborating on human and animal health, IT, supply chain, clinical research, and operations, with opportunities to influence policy and drive safe AI

Qualifications

6+ years relevant working experience.
Experience in AI ethics and responsible AI with knowledge of AI, ML, Generative AI, agentic systems.
Experience in trust, safety, risk management, governance or related.
Ability to communicate technical viewpoints to senior stakeholders clearly.

Responsibilities

Find and mitigate risks in AI projects, identify impacts and mitigations.
Promote governance processes and adoption of responsible AI.
Implement AI safety testing and explainable AI, audit data sets and models for bias.
Develop policy processes and technical controls to build a responsible AI ecosystem.
Research AI developments and regulatory changes; contribute to external initiatives.

Skills

AI ethics

Governance

Risk management

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree

Tools

Python

Generative AI

LLMs

Job description

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Ethics and Governance Senior Specialist

Artificial intelligence is transforming the way we save and improve lives. The rising use of machine learning and advanced analytics brings great potential as well as risks of unintended consequences. Effectively scaling AI from bench to production rests on doing the right thing, with ethical policies, responsible development, and implementations that respect people, fairness, inclusion, and prevent harm.

About the Role

As an AI Ethics and Governance Senior Specialist, you will be part of our varied and dynamic global AI Ethics and Governance team developing AI risk assessment and governance processes in the organization.

You will be part of a key global project, working alongside subject matter experts and honing your skills and expertise in responsible AI. We are a highly collaborative team and our work is inherently cross-functional. You will have the chance to meet and work with stakeholders across the organization including senior leaders and have exposure to projects in human and animal health, business operations, supply chain management, clinical research, and IT.

Be a pioneer in the rapidly growing and recognized field of Responsible AI. In this role, you will have the opportunity to explore and work on our team’s multiple focus areas depending on your interest and expertise:

Primary Responsibilities

Find and Mitigate Risks in AI Projects as a Senior AI Analyst. Leverage your skills and knowledge in AI systems to identify and assess potential risks and impacts, recommend appropriate mitigations, and prevent harm!
Be recognized as an expert in AI ethics and governance. Work with business and technical stakeholders to understand business problems and AI risk. Represent the global AI Ethics and Governance team - guide stakeholders on company governance processes and promote adoption of responsible AI.
Implement AI safety testing and explainable AI. Test and audit data sets, models and AI solutions for bias, fairness, and explainability using open-source and enterprise tools.
Develop and implement policy processes and technical controls. Further the field of AI ethics. Be involved with building a safe, responsible, and ethical AI ecosystem in the organization and external industry.
Research and stay on top of AI developments, best practices, and regulatory changes. Experience opportunities to develop guidance and contribute to external initiatives.

Desired Self-Profile

Self-motivated and driven to learn new topics and develop your domain expertise; Finds excitement in working at the bleeding edge in an emerging field.
Passionate about building a fairer and more inclusive AI ecosystem with respect for all; Has a keen interest in AI ethics, responsible AI, including policy, legal or regulatory landscape for emerging technologies, data privacy, or intellectual property.
Enjoys working in a varied and cross-functional team; Has good communication and interpersonal skills and enjoys sharing knowledge and coaching others.

Required Experience and Skills

Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in any Field.
6+ years relevant working experience
Qualifications in analytical and technology disciplines, such as Engineering, Sciences, Mathematics, Computer Science or in Law, Philosophy or Psychology are encouraged to apply. Candidates are evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Candidates with relevant experience are encouraged to apply.
Experience in AI ethics and responsible AI, with in-depth knowledge of AI, ML, Generative AI, agentic systems, and the emerging technology landscape.
Experience in with technical trust and safety, risk management, governance or related.
Ability to take ownership and work cross-functionally. Ability to foster a collaborative, positive and inclusive team culture and ways of working with stakeholders from varied fields.
Ability to communicate and express technical viewpoints to senior stakeholders with succinctness and clarity

Desired Experience and Skills

Hands‑on code development experience in Generative AI, agentic systems, machine learning and data science (Python, generative models / LLMs, synthetic data generation)
Knowledge of technical AI safety testing and XAI
Knowledge of law, IP, policy, regulatory processes, or industry standards in AI or related fields
Domain knowledge in pharmaceutical business areas such as research, clinical, manufacturing, commercial and corporate functions is highly regarded

Culture & Values

Imagine getting up in the morning for a job as important as helping to save and improve lives around the world. Here, you have that opportunity. You can put your empathy, creativity, digital mastery, or scientific genius to work in collaboration with a varied group of colleagues who pursue and bring hope to countless people who are battling some of the most challenging diseases of our time. Our team is constantly evolving, so if you are among the intellectually curious, join us—and start making your impact today.

We are proud to be a company that embraces the value of bringing varied, talented, and committed people together. The fastest way to breakthrough innovation is when varied ideas come together in an inclusive environment. We encourage our colleagues to respectfully challenge one another’s thinking and approach problems collectively. We are an equal opportunity employer, committed to fostering an inclusive and varied workplace.

As an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, we provide equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. As a federal contractor, we comply with all affirmative action requirements for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. For more information about personal rights under the U.S. Equal Opportunity Employment laws, visit:

EEOC Information

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EEOC GINA Supplement

We are proud to be a company that embraces the value of bringing together, talented, and committed people with diverse experiences, perspectives, skills and backgrounds. The fastest way to breakthrough innovation is when people with diverse ideas, broad experiences, backgrounds, and skills come together in an inclusive environment. We encourage our colleagues to respectfully challenge one another’s thinking and approach problems collectively.

Learn more about your rights, including under California, Colorado and other US State Acts

Salary and Benefits

The salary range for this role is $129,000.00 - $203,100.00. This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. An employee’s position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, geographic location, government requirements, and business or organizational needs.

The successful candidate will be eligible for annual bonus and long-term incentive, if applicable.

We offer a comprehensive package of benefits. Available benefits include 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. More information about benefits is available at https://jobs.merck.com/us/en/compensation-and-benefits.

Location

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

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.

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