Associate Director, Data Science (Functional Genomics)

Merck; San Diego (CA); Hybrid; USD 176,000 - 277,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) Match

Medical, dental, vision

Paid time off

Job summary

Merck requires an Associate Director of Data Science to build and lead a functional genomics analytics capability. You will guide hit calling, multi-evidence integration, and AI-driven target prioritization across discovery programs in Cambridge and beyond.

You will mentor a team of scientists, drive reproducible research practices, and collaborate with experimentalists, software engineers, and external partners to accelerate data-driven decision making.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree with hands-on experience in large-scale NGS and functional genomics.
• Proven ML experience applied to single-cell data and biological interpretation.
• Experience designing biological assays and integrating multi-omics data.
• Proficiency in R or Python and Git version control.

Responsibilities

• Lead scalable computational analytics for pooled, arrayed, single cell, and optical CRISPR screens.
• Invent methods for single-cell perturbation screening and lineage tracing.
• Build image-analysis pipelines for high-content CRISPR screens.
• Integrate genomics and imaging results with transcriptomics and proteomics.
• Apply modern AI/ML and LLM-powered workflows to triage targets.
• Mentor scientists and set standards for reproducible research.
• Collaborate across disciplines to advance analytical platforms.

Skills

NGS analysis

Single-cell RNA-Seq

Machine learning

Python

R

Git

AWS

Linux

Education

MS in Computational Biology / Bioinformatics / related STEM

PhD preferred for 4+ years experience

Tools

AWS

Linux

Image analysis pipelines

Job description

Merck requires an Associate Director of Data Science to build and lead a functional genomics analytics capability. You will guide hit calling, multi-evidence integration, and AI-driven target prioritization across discovery programs in Cambridge and beyond.

You will mentor a team of scientists, drive reproducible research practices, and collaborate with experimentalists, software engineers, and external partners to accelerate data-driven decision making.