Associate Specialist, Data Science

Merck Gruppe - MSD Sharp & Dohme; Hyderabad; Hybrid; INR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Job summary

Merck Gruppe - MSD Sharp & Dohme invites applications for Associate Specialist - Data Science & AI to join its Data Science & AI team. You will tackle complex business problems using DS, ML, Generative AI, and agentic AI, delivering scalable solutions across markets.

You will collaborate with cross-functional teams internationally to understand problems, develop solutions, and support deployment and adoption. Prior pharma exposure is a plus but not mandatory.

Qualifications

• Bachelor or Master degree in computer science, Data Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Engineering, or another quantitative discipline.
• 2+ years of relevant experience in Data Science, Machine Learning, Analytics, or AI.
• Strong hands-on experience with Python and SQL.
• Familiarity with ML libraries such as scikit-learn, XGBoost, TensorFlow, PyTorch.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with business, market, Data Science, engineering, and technology teams to translate business challenges into practical Data Science and AI solutions.
• Design and develop reusable, configurable, and scalable AI/ML solutions applicable across markets with varying data and maturity.
• Perform data exploration, feature engineering, statistical analysis, experimentation, and predictive modelling with structured and unstructured data.
• Develop and evaluate ML solutions for segmentation, targeting, propensity modelling, recommendation, personalization, and optimization.
• Contribute to Generative AI and Agentic AI solutions, including LLM applications, RAG, AI assistants, AI agents, and agentic workflows.
• Build high-quality and reusable analytical and AI components using Python, SQL, and modern AI/ML frameworks.
• Apply evaluation approaches to assess model performance, reliability, and business relevance.
• Take ownership of assigned solutions and workstreams, ensuring quality, timelines, and documentation.
• Collaborate with MLOps to support deployment, monitoring, and maintenance of AI/ML solutions.
• Share knowledge and best practices across teams and markets.

Skills

Python

SQL

Data Science

Machine Learning

Generative AI

LLMs

Agentic AI

Collaboration

Ownership

Analytical Thinking

Education

Bachelor or Master in Computer Science/Data Science/Statistics/Mathematics/Engineering

Tools

scikit-learn

XGBoost

TensorFlow

PyTorch

Job description

Job Title: Associate Specialist - Data Science & AI

We are looking for an Associate Specialist, Data Science & AI to join our Data Science & AI team.

In this role, you will help solve complex business problems using Data Science, Machine Learning, Generative AI, and Agentic AI, with a strong focus on building reusable and scalable solutions that can create value across diverse international markets.

You will collaborate with Data Science, business, engineering, technology, and market teams across geographies to understand problems, develop solutions, and support their deployment and adoption.

We are looking for someone who combines strong technical foundations with curiosity, collaboration, ownership, and accountability. Experience in pharmaceutical or healthcare is a plus, but not mandatory.

Key Responsibilities

• Collaborate with business, market, Data Science, engineering, and technology teams to translate business challenges into practical Data Science and AI solutions.
• Design and develop reusable, configurable, and scalable AI/ML solutions that can be applied across markets with different business needs, data availability, and levels of maturity.
• Perform data exploration, feature engineering, statistical analysis, experimentation, and predictive modelling using structured and unstructured datasets.
• Develop and evaluate ML solutions for use cases such as segmentation, targeting, propensity modelling, recommendation, personalization, and optimization.
• Contribute to Generative AI and Agentic AI solutions, including LLM applications, RAG, AI assistants, AI agents, and agentic workflows.
• Build high-quality and reusable analytical and AI components using Python, SQL, and modern AI/ML frameworks.
• Apply appropriate evaluation approaches to assess model and AI solution performance, reliability, and business relevance.
• Take ownership of assigned solutions and workstreams, with accountability for quality, timelines, documentation, and outcomes.
• Collaborate with engineering and MLOps teams to support deployment, monitoring, maintenance, and continuous improvement of AI/ML solutions.
• Contribute to a collaborative Data Science & AI community by sharing knowledge, reusable assets, best practices, and learnings across teams and markets.

Required Experience, Skills and Qualifications:

• Bachelor or Master degree in computer science, Data Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Engineering, or another relevant quantitative discipline.
• 2+ years of relevant experience in Data Science, Machine Learning, Advanced Analytics, or AI.
• Strong hands‑on experience with Python and SQL.
• Good understanding of machine learning, statistics, feature engineering, experimentation, model evaluation, and validation.
• Hands‑on experience with common ML libraries and frameworks such as scikit‑learn, XGBoost, TensorFlow, PyTorch, or equivalent.
• Ability to work with complex datasets and translate business questions into structured analytical approaches.
• Strong analytical thinking and critical thinking skills.
• Good communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively across technical and business teams.
• Demonstrated ownership, accountability, learning agility, and willingness to work in an evolving AI landscape.
• Exposure to Generative AI, LLMs, RAG, AI agents, agentic frameworks, or vector databases.
• Experience in pharmaceutical, life sciences, healthcare, or commercial analytics is a plus, but not mandatory.

Required Skills:

Business Analysis, Business Analysis, Business Intelligence (BI), Complex Analysis, Computer Science, Data Analysis, Database Design, Data Curation, Data Engineering, Data Modeling, Data Research, Data Science, Data Strategies, Data Visualization, Exploratory Analysis, Lateral Thinking, Machine Learning (ML), Optimization Techniques, Propensity Models, Python (Programming Language), Software Development, Solutions Development, SQL Databases, Stakeholder Relationship Management, Structured Data {+ 2 more}

Preferred Skills:

Employee Status:

Regular

Relocation:

Domestic

VISA Sponsorship:

No

Travel Requirements:

10%

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Hybrid

Shift:

1st - Day

Valid Driving License:

Yes

Hazardous Material(s):

NA

Job Posting End Date:

09/18/2026

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

Requisition ID:

R415922