Senior Machine Learning Scientist, Foundation Model

MSD Malaysia; Cambridge (MA); Hybrid; USD 145,000 - 228,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Vision care

401(k) plan

Paid holidays

Vacation

Sick days

Job summary

Merck & Co., Inc. in the United States is seeking a Senior Machine Learning Scientist to develop and train large-scale Foundation Models on biological data, supporting target and biomarker discovery and biomolecular research.

The role involves collaboration across computational biologists, data scientists, engineers, and researchers, with access to high-performance GPUs and advanced AI/ML tooling. A PhD and expert PyTorch experience are required, along with strong communication skills and a

Qualifications

• PhD required in a relevant STEM field
• Strong expertise in modern AI/ML, training large transformer-based Foundation models
• Experience with pre-training large-scale multi-GPU models

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define research questions and data requirements
• Design, train, and implement transformer-based Foundation Models for target and biomarker discovery
• Publish research findings and contribute to the scientific community

Skills

Python

PyTorch

Transformer models

Foundation models

Large-scale training

Diffusion models

Representation learning

GPUs

Education

PhD in a relevant STEM field

Tools

PyTorch ecosystem

Job description

Job Description

Our Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML) capabilities are critical accelerators of our mission to invent new medicines that save and improve lives. Core to the Data, AI, and Genome Sciences (DAGS) function is an AI/ML-first approach to improving target and biomarker discovery, validation, and selection, and elucidating complex disease mechanisms. As Senior Machine Learning Scientist, you will be responsible for developing and training large scale Foundation Models based on biological data. Your work will advance our understanding of complex diseases and support the development of innovative therapeutic strategies. In this pursuit, you will have at your disposal high-performance clusters with several hundred state-of-the-art GPUs, access to biological, computational, and engineering experts from across Our Company and external vendors. You will be part of a broader, cross-functional team of computational biologists, data scientists, software engineers, and machine learning researchers who strive to identify therapeutic targets and biomarkers.

Primary Responsibilities

Collaborate with cross-functional team to identify research questions, data requirements, and develop appropriate, modern AI/ML solutions. Design and develop, train, and implement novel ML algorithms particularly transformer-based Foundation Models for Target and Biomarker discovery leveraging large scale biological data. Stay up to date with the latest advancements in modern AI/ML approaches and apply relevant advancements to improve existing methodologies and models. Publish research findings in relevant conferences and journals, and actively contribute to the scientific community through knowledge sharing and collaborations.

Required Education, Experience, And Skills

PhD in Computer Science, Applied Math, Physics, Computational Biology, Biostatistics, Bioinformatics, Engineering, AI/ML, Genetics/Genomics, or a related STEM field. Strong expertise and experience in modern AI/ML approaches, training and working with large transformer-based Foundation models, representation learning, diffusion models, and related methodologies. Experience with pre-training large-scale and/or multi-modal Foundation Models on multiple GPUs. Proficiency in programming languages such as Python, and experience with standard deep learning frameworks like the PyTorch ecosystem. Interest in life sciences problems and disease biology, and willing to learn from and teach others. Excellent communication skills and ability to work collaboratively in multi-disciplinary team.

Preferred Skills and Experience

Familiarity and prior experience with biological data and biological foundation models are strong pluses. Relevant publications in scientific journals and experience contributing to research communities, including NeurIPS, ICML, ICLR, etc.

#EligibleforERP

Required Skills: Algorithms, Applied Mathematics, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Biological Data Analysis, Computational Sciences, Data Science, Deep Learning, Foundation Models, Genomics, Machine Learning (ML), Machine Learning Algorithms, Programming Languages, Python (Programming Language), PyTorch, Representation Learning, Transformer Model

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.

• medical


• dental


• vision healthcare and other insurance benefits (for employee and family)


• retirement benefits, including 401(k)


• paid holidays


• vacation


• compassionate and sick days

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

The application deadline for this position is stated on this posting.

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: 10/5/2026 *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.

Our company is a global health care leader with a diversified portfolio of prescription medicines, vaccines and animal health products. The difference between potential and achievement lies in the spark that fuels innovation and inventiveness; this is the space where we have codified our legacy for over a century. Our success is backed by ethical integrity, forward momentum, and an inspiring mission to achieve new milestones in global healthcare.