Associate Scientist, Post Doc Fellow- Computational Pathology & Spatial AI

MSD; Cambridge (MA); Hybrid; USD 82,000 - 92,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental and vision benefits

401(k) retirement plan

Paid holidays and vacation

Job summary

Merck & Co., Inc. is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Cambridge, MA to develop next‑generation multimodal AI approaches that integrate histopathology, transcriptomics, and spatial biology.

The role focuses on tumor microenvironment architecture and generating new biological insights from routine H&E images. The candidate will advance AI/ML methods, build interpretable models, and collaborate across data science, pathology, biology, and translational research teams.

Qualifications

• PhD required or expected by spring 2027 across quantitative field.
• Strong expertise in ML/DL and data science.
• Proficient in Python and PyTorch.
• Experience with computer vision, multimodal modeling, and biomedical data analysis.

Responsibilities

• Advance AI/ML methods that connect pathology images with molecular and spatial biology data.
• Develop interpretable computational approaches to study tissue organization and tumor microenvironment biology.
• Integrate multimodal datasets to support biomarker discovery and hypothesis generation.
• Collaborate with data science, pathology, biology, and translational research teams.
• Communicate findings through presentations, publications, and cross-functional discussions.

Skills

Computational pathology

Deep learning

Computer vision

Multimodal AI

Transcriptomics

Foundation models

Oncology

Tumor microenvironment

Spatial biology

Machine learning

Python

PyTorch

Education

PhD in Computer Science, AI/ML, Computational Biology, Bioinformatics, Biomedical Engineering, Statistics, Applied Mathematics or related quantitative discipline

Tools

PyTorch

Job description

Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Computational Pathology and Spatial AI

Within DAGS, our AI/ML team develops biologically grounded and interpretable machine learning methods to accelerate biomarker discovery across oncology. We are seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Research Fellow to develop next‑generation multimodal AI approaches that integrate histopathology, transcriptomics, and spatial biology to characterize tumor microenvironment architecture and generate novel biological insights from routine H&E pathology images.

What You'll Do:

• Advance AI/ML methods that connect pathology images with molecular and spatial biology data.


• Develop interpretable computational approaches to study tissue organization, tumor microenvironment biology, and disease‑relevant patterns.


• Integrate multimodal datasets to support biomarker discovery and biological hypothesis generation.


• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams across data science, pathology, biology, and translational research.


• Communicate scientific findings through presentations, publications, and cross‑functional discussions.

Education Requirement:

• Must currently hold a PhD OR


• Receive a Ph.D. no later than spring 2027


• PhD in Computer Science, AI/ML, Computational Biology, Bioinformatics, Biomedical Engineering, Statistics, Applied Mathematics, or a related quantitative discipline.

Required Skills and Experience:

• Computational Pathology, Deep Learning, Computer Vision, Multimodal AI, Transcriptomics, Foundation Models, Oncology, Tumor Microenvironment, Spatial Biology.


• Strong expertise in machine learning, deep learning, and data science.


• Proficiency in Python and deep learning frameworks such as PyTorch.


• Experience with computer vision, representation learning, multimodal modeling, or biomedical data analysis.


• Demonstrated research productivity through publications, preprints, or conference presentations.


• Ability to communicate complex technical concepts to multidisciplinary scientific teams.

Preferred Skills and Experience:

• Computational pathology.


• Spatial transcriptomics, RNA‑seq, or single‑cell omics analysis.


• Foundation models, transformers, and multimodal learning.


• Tumor microenvironment biology and oncology biomarker discovery.


• Publications in venues such as MICCAI, CVPR, NeurIPS, ISMB, AACR, or related journals.

The salary range for this role is: $82,000- $92,000

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.

Required Skills:

• Academic Research, Adaptability, Bioinformatics, Biological Imaging, Computer Vision, Data Analysis, Machine Learning, Scientific Research, Transcriptomics

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:

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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

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 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: Domestic

VISA Sponsorship: Yes

Travel Requirements: 10%

Flexible Work Arrangements: Hybrid

Shift: Not Indicated

Valid Driving License: No

Hazardous Material(s): N/A

Job Posting End Date: 10/12/2026*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.