Senior Data Scientist, Predictive Immune Biomarker Foundation Models

MSD UK; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 145,000 - 228,000; Full time

Job summary

Merck & Co., Inc. in Cambridge, MA seeks a Senior Scientist to join the Computational Precision Immunology team to develop predictive biomarkers from multi-modal data.

You will lead foundation model work, perform multi-omics QC and integration, and document methods and results for reproducible science. A PhD in computational biology and strong coding skills are required.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Computational Biology or related field.
• Proven track record in multi-omics analysis.
• Experience building, fine-tuning, benchmarking foundation models for patient stratification tasks.

Responsibilities

• Build, fine-tune, benchmark foundation models for predictive immune biomarker discovery.
• Perform QC and analysis of multi-omics data (bulk and single-cell RNA-seq, spatial transcriptomics, proteomics).
• Integrate multi-omics datasets including gene/protein expression, spatial transcriptomics, and genotype data.
• Document analysis methods and results in a timely manner.

Skills

Autoimmune Diseases

Biomarkers

Computational Biology

Data Science

RNA‑Seq

Single-cell RNA‑Seq

Omics

Machine Learning

High Performance Computing

AWS Cloud

Education

Ph.D. in Computational Biology

Tools

R

Python

Bash

HPC

AWS

Job description

The Precision Genetics group within the Data, AI and Genome Sciences Department is seeking a Senior Scientist to join our Computational Precision Immunology team in Cambridge, MA. We are looking for a skilled data scientist with extensive experience to develop predictive biomarkers in immunology based on multi-modal and multi-scale data analyses.

Key Responsibilities

• Foundation Models: Build, fine-tune, troubleshoot, and benchmark foundation models for predictive immune biomarker discovery.
• Multi-omics Analysis: Perform quality control (QC) and analysis of different molecular data types including bulk and single-cell RNA-seq (e.g., Limma, Seurat, scanpy), spatial transcriptomics (e.g., CosMx, 10x Visium), and proteomics (e.g., OLINK, mass spectrometry-based approaches).
• Multi-omics Integration: Integrate multi-omics datasets, including gene/protein expression, spatial transcriptomics, and genotype data.
• Documentation: Prepare detailed documentation of analysis methods and results in a timely manner.

Required Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Computational Biology or a related field.
• A proven track record in multi-omics analysis.
• Hands‑on experience with building, fine‑tuning, benchmarking foundation models, preferably for patient stratification related downstream tasks.
• Fundamental understanding of AI/ML methods, multi‑omics data analysis, and omics integration (e.g., RNA‑Seq, single‑cell RNA‑Seq, genotype, spatial transcriptomics, OLINK).
• Proficiency in R, Python, and Bash, with the ability to establish best practices for reproducible data analyses.
• Experience with high‑performance computing (HPC) systems and AWS Cloud Services (e.g., IAM, S3 buckets).
• A collaborative and self‑motivated individual with a strong work ethic, capable of managing multiple objectives in a dynamic environment and adapting to changing priorities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Good understanding of autoimmune disease biology.
• Experience in processing and analyzing real‑world data.
• Familiarity with spatial transcriptomics analysis.
• Knowledge of statistical and population genetics principles.

Required Skills

Autoimmune Diseases, Biomarkers, Cellular Immunology, Computational Biology, Data Science, Genetic Analysis, High Performance Computing (HPC), Immunology Research, Machine Learning (ML), Omics, RNA-Seq, Stratification, Transcriptomics

US and Puerto Rico Residents Only

Our company is committed to inclusion, ensuring that candidates can engage in a hiring process that exhibits their true capabilities.

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 EEOC GINA Supplement

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.

The salary range for this role is $144,800.00 - $227,900.00

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. More information about benefits is available at https://jobs.merck.com/us/en/compensation-and-benefits.

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/International

VISA Sponsorship

Yes

Travel Requirements

10%

Flexible Work Arrangements

Not Applicable

Shift

Not Indicated

Valid Driving License

No

Hazardous Material(s)

n/a