Principal Scientist, Stat. Programming - A&R Standards, Innovation (Hybrid)

Merck & Co.; Rahway (NJ); Hybrid; USD 173,200 - 272,600; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package

401(k) retirement plan

Flexible work arrangements

Annual bonus eligibility

Job summary

Merck & Co. is seeking a seasoned statistical programming expert to join the BARDS division. You will contribute to the development and adoption of programming standards and tools to support drug and vaccine projects. Candidates should have a strong background in clinical trial programming and must demonstrate significant experience in using R, Python, and SAS.

This position offers competitive salary and benefits with a hybrid work arrangement, emphasizing the importance of collaboration across teams. Merck is committed to equal opportunity employment and encourages all qualified applicants to apply.

Qualifications

• BA/BS or MS in a related field plus significant statistical programming experience.
• Expertise in clinical trial programming and data management.
• Strong knowledge of statistical analysis and reporting.

Responsibilities

• Develop standards library using R, Python, and SAS.
• Address operational challenges with strategic solutions.
• Facilitate global programming best practices.

Skills

Statistical programming in R

Statistical programming in SAS

Statistical programming in Python

Interpersonal skills

Project management

CDISC standards knowledge

Education

BA/BS in relevant field with 12+ years experience

MS in relevant field with 10+ years experience

Job description

Job Description

In BARDS (Biostatistics and Research Decision Sciences), a distinguished department within our company's renowned Research and Development division, quantitative scientists, in partnership with other subject matter experts, apply state‑of‑the‑art scientific methodologies and tools to enable the discovery, development, regulatory approval, manufacturing, and marketing of medical drugs and vaccines for the benefit of patients and global human health.

Responsibilities

This position supports the strategic design, development, and delivery of efficient, flexible, and modular analysis and reporting and submission standards and tools that can be used for drug and/or vaccine projects across all therapeutic areas. It adheres to standard operating procedures and guidelines established by the department.

Key activities include:

• Drive the development and adoption of scalable, reusable multilingual standards library based on R, Python and SAS with an emphasis on open‑source adoption and automation, leveraging AI where appropriate.
• Address operational challenges that require strategic standard‑based solutions, resulting in improved analysis and reporting deliverables.
• Facilitate global adoption of standards and programming best practices.
• Contribute to strategic solutions in support of cross‑functional stakeholder groups in BARDS, GCD, and the Research & Development Division.
• Provide technical consultation and analytical support to statistical programmers and statisticians.
• Lead and actively contribute to departmental strategic initiative project teams.
• Represent the company on relevant industry initiatives including CDISC and PHUSE.

Primary Activities

• Drive the development and adoption of scalable, reusable multilingual standards library based on R, Python and SAS with an emphasis on open‑source adoption and automation, leveraging AI where appropriate.
• Address operational challenges that require strategic standard‑based solutions, resulting in improved analysis and reporting deliverables.
• Facilitate global adoption of standards and programming best practices.
• Contribute to strategic solutions in support of cross‑functional stakeholder groups in BARDS, GCD, and the Research & Development Division.
• Provide technical consultation and analytical support to statistical programmers and statisticians.
• Lead and actively contribute to departmental strategic initiative project teams.
• Represent the company on relevant industry initiatives including CDISC and PHUSE.

Education and Minimum Requirement

• BA/BS in Computer Science, Statistics, Applied Mathematics, Life Sciences, Engineering or related field plus 12 or more years statistical programming experience in a clinical trial environment.
• or MS in Computer Science, Statistics, Applied Mathematics, Life Sciences, Engineering or related field plus 10 or more years statistical programming experience in a clinical trial environment.

Department Required Skills and Experience

• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to negotiate and collaborate effectively.
• Excellent written, oral, and presentation skills.
• Superior knowledge and significant experience in setting strategy and developing analysis and reporting deliverables for R&D projects (data, analyses, tables, graphics, listings).
• Excellent project management skills; leadership across multiple and complex programs; determines approach and ensures consistency and directs development of others when opportunities arise; ability to engage key stakeholders.

Position Specific Required Skills and Experience

• Expertise in clinical trial programming, including data manipulation, reporting workflows, visualization, and production‑quality practices using multiple programming languages and tools.
• Superior knowledge and significant experience in setting strategy and developing analysis and reporting statistical programming deliverables (datasets, statistical analyses, report tables, and graphics) according to quality, compliance and timeliness requirements.
• Strong knowledge and understanding of CDISC SDTM and ADaM analysis dataset standards.
• Experience working with analytical research databases including various analysis datasets and procedures.
• Demonstrated understanding of statistics, clinical trial, and data management concepts as applied to drug/vaccine development.
• Demonstrated success in the assurance of deliverable quality and process compliance.
• Strategic thinking – ability to analyze operational activities and challenges and develop and implement strategic solutions.
• Ability to anticipate stakeholder requirements.
• Ability and interest to work across cultures and geographies.

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Experience developing flexible and efficient multilingual products for analysis and reporting using R, Python, SAS.
• Experience with process assessment, improvement and operational excellence methodologies.
• Experience developing and managing project plans.
• Experience using AI/GenAI tools, such as Claude Code, to enhance coding, automation, and workflow efficiency.
• Active in professional societies and ability to collaborate across regions.

Salary and Benefits

Salary range: $173,200.00 – $272,600.00. The salary is based on factors including relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, geographic location, government requirements, and business needs. Eligible for annual bonus and long‑term incentive, if applicable. A comprehensive benefits package includes 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 and Eligibility

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 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.

EEO Statement

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 Know Your Rights and EEOC GINA Supplement.

Additional Information

Job Posting End Date: 06/01/2026. Requisition ID: R398174. Visa sponsorship: Yes. Travel requirements: 10%. Flexible work arrangements: Hybrid. Domestic relocation: Yes.