Assoc. Dir, DSCS Digital Technologies, Decision Intelligence (m/f/d)

MSD; Dublin; Hybrid; EUR 127,000 - 199,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k)

Healthcare benefits

Paid holidays

Vacation

Sick days

Job summary

MSD is seeking an Associate Director, Decision Intelligence within the DSCS Digital Technologies team. The role focuses on advanced analytics, operations research, and decision support to drive data-driven decisions across development sciences and clinical supply.

You will model, simulate, and optimize complex processes while shaping data architectures and AI-enabled workflows. The position requires 5+ years in technical analytics, strong Python and ML skills, and experience with data pipelines

Qualifications

• 5+ years in data science, OR data engineering or related technical role.
• Pharmaceutical development or clinical supply chain experience preferred.
• Strong Python and ML model development experience.

Responsibilities

• Translate business problems into mathematical models for simulation and optimization.
• Design analytics integrated with WebApps/Agents to streamline user interaction.
• Develop probabilistic forecasting and stochastic optimization techniques.
• Build business cases and track KPIs for digital transformation.
• Contribute to data foundations and pipelines and to web app development.
• Collaborate with Change Management and SMEs to implement AI-enabled processes.
• Contribute to the DDT Decision Intelligence Roadmap and reusable components.

Skills

Python

Databricks

MLOps

GitHub

VSCode

AI/Agentic AI

Operations Research

Data Analytics

Education

PhD + 1y

Bachelor’s in Engineering/OR/Data Science

Tools

Databricks

GitHub

VSCode

Job description

Job Description

Position Overview - Basic Functions & Responsibility

Digital is the multiplier that will allow Development Sciences and Clinical Supply (DSCS) to deliver better experiments faster, efficient filing and launch, more robust supply chains and higher-confidence decisions across the portfolio. The DSCS Digital Technologies (DDT) organization is tasked with the mission to pioneer and deploy innovative digital technologies that drive the acquisition, automation and utilization of data to enhance insights, efficiency, and quality of DSCS processes and methods.

The DSCS Digital Technologies (DDT) organization within the Research team is accountable for driving the digital transformation, data architecture, and technology solutions that enable execution and operations within the DSCS organization.

The Associate Director, Decision Intelligence

The Associate Director, Decision Intelligence is a technical role responsible for developing advanced analytics and operations research capabilities to enable data-driven decision making and inform DSCS business operations. This role will focus on modeling, simulation and optimization frameworks to solve complex business problems.

Primary Activities

• Translate business problems into mathematical models/frameworks for business process simulation and optimization.
• Design robust and sustainable analytics that can be seamlessly integrated with WebApps and/or Agents to streamline user interaction.
• Develop and implement probabilistic forecasting and stochastic optimization techniques to enable strategic decision making given uncertainty.
• Serve as a business analyst to develop business cases for new digital capabilities. Define and track KPIs aligned with the value proposition for digital transformation within DSCS.
• Contribute to designing, building, and implementing modern data foundations and pipelines.
• Contribute to the development of custom web applications (WebApps) that allow business users to seamlessly interact with data products and model outputs.
• Work strategically with Change Management and DSCS functional area SMEs to design and implement AI-enabled business processes.
• Contribute to the advancement of the DDT Decision Intelligence Strategic Roadmap, developing reusable methods and components that support decision intelligence capabilities across business domains.

Required Skills and Qualifications

• Experience: 5+ years in data science, operations research, data engineering or a related highly technical role.
• Pharmaceutical development and/or clinical supply chain experience. Understanding of CMC development across modalities (ie small molecule, large molecule, vaccine) strongly preferred.
• Core Technical Stack: Strong expertise in Python. Experience building and deploying advanced machine learning models. Databricks and MLOps experience preferred.
• Business Analysis: Proven track record of gathering complex requirements from non-technical stakeholders and translating them into actionable, technical roadmaps.
• Agentic AI & Automation: Familiarity with or strong interest in Agentic AI and integrating AI agents into workflows.
• DevOps & Developer Tools: Proven experience with GitHub for version control. Highly comfortable leveraging AI-assisted development tools like Cline. Proficiency working in VScode or other equivalent integrated development environment. Experience deploying apps or agents in preferred.
• Analytical Skills: Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to tackle complex business challenges and translate them into mathematical problem statements and corresponding technical solutions.
• Collaboration & Influence: Demonstrated ability to develop strong, trust-based relationships to drive change and execute priorities with a diverse group of technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills; demonstrated ability to communicate technical concepts clearly to non-technical stakeholders, including senior executives.
• Independence: Independent decision-making abilities with a proactive approach to leading projects and delivering results.

Education and Skills

• Education: PhD with 1+ year of experience or Bachelor’s degree with 5+ years of experience in Engineering, Operations Research, Data Science, or comparable technical field.

Additional location(s) Compensation Information:

The salary range for the additional location (US) of this role is:
{USD 142400.00 - 224100.00}

This range reflects the Company’s reasonable expectation of the base salary applicable to this role at the time of 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

Required Skills:

Analytical Problem Solving, Biotechnology Manufacturing, Data Analytics, Data Science, Decision Analysis (DA), Decision Management, GitHub, Machine Learning (ML), Operations Research, Python (Programming Language), Regulatory Compliance, SQL Databases, Version Control, Version Control System

Preferred Skills:

Current Employees apply HERE

Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

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 in 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

Travel Requirements:

10%

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Hybrid

Shift:

Not Indicated

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

N/A

Job Posting End Date:

10/31/2026

*A job posting is effective until 11:59:59PM on the day BEFOREthe listed job posting end date. Please ensure you apply to a job posting no later than the day BEFORE the job posting end date.