Senior Specialist, Data Science

Merck; Cambridge (MA); Hybrid; USD 129,000 - 203,000; Full time

Job summary

Merck is seeking a Senior Data Scientist to join the Clinical Data Science Realization Team (DSRT) in Rahway. You will translate business questions into scalable AI solutions that support clinical decision-making and operations.

This hybrid role combines hands-on data science with strategic business partnership, building ML models from real-world data and communicating insights to stakeholders to drive measurable impact.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in a quantitative field.
• Advanced degree preferred (PhD or MS+3+ years).
• Hands-on ML/data science with Python or R.

Responsibilities

• Build, design, and deploy clinical AI models and AI-driven applications using real-world clinical data.
• Serve as the primary U.S.-based data science partner translating needs into data science solutions.
• Drive use case development, prioritization, and workshops to identify high-value AI opportunities.
• Translate AI outputs into business impact with clear communications to non-technical stakeholders.
• Collaborate with global teams across data science, MLOps, and engineering to deliver scalable solutions.

Skills

Machine Learning

Python

R

Data Science

Data Visualization

Stakeholder Management

Independent Work

Education

Bachelor’s degree in mathematics, statistics, data science, computer science, or related field

PhD or Master’s + 3+ years industry experience

Tools

Python

R

MLOps

Job description

Job Description

Senior Data Scientist for Clinical Data Science Realization Team in Rahway

About The Role

We are seeking a Senior Data Scientist to join the Clinical Data Science Realization Team (DSRT) within the Data Science & Scientific Informatics (DSSI) organization. This team sits at the intersection of clinical science, AI, and real-world application—delivering scalable data science solutions that directly support clinical decision-making and operations. You will play a critical, high-visibility role as the primary U.S.-based data science partner, translating complex clinical and business questions into impactful AI solutions.

What You’ll Do

This is a hybrid role combining hands-on data science with strong business partnership:

• Build & deploy clinical AI solutions Design, develop, and deliver machine learning models and AI-driven applications using real-world clinical data
• Act as a strategic partner to stakeholders Serve as the first point of contact for U.S.-based business and IT teams, translating clinical and operational needs into data science solutions
• Drive use case development and prioritization Facilitate workshops and working sessions to identify, shape, and advance high-value AI opportunities
• Translate complex AI into business impact Clearly communicate technical concepts and model insights to non-technical stakeholders to enable adoption
• Collaborate across global teams Partner closely with data scientists, MLOps, and engineering teams across the U.S. and Prague to deliver scalable solutions

Required Experience & Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in mathematics, statistics, data science, computer science, or related field
• Advanced degree (PhD or Master’s + 3+ years industry experience) preferred
• Hands-on experience with machine learning and data science using Python or R
• Proven ability to translate business or scientific questions into actionable models and insights
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to explain complex concepts to non-technical audiences
• Self-driven and comfortable operating independently in a globally distributed team environment

Required Skills

Animal Vaccination, Business Intelligence (BI), Collaborative Development, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Database Design, Data Engineering, Data Modeling, Data Science, Data Visualization, Disease Prevention, End to End Management, Information Technology (IT) Support, IT Project Lifecycle, Machine Learning (ML), Prioritization, Python (Programming Language), Software Development, Stakeholder Relationship Management, Veterinary Medicine, Waterfall Model, Working Independently

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.

Requirements

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.

Learn more about your rights, including under California, Colorado and other US State Acts

Salary

The salary range for this role is $129,000.00 - $203,100.00. 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.

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.

Employee Status

Regular

Relocation

No relocation

VISA Sponsorship

No

Travel Requirements

10%

Flexible Work Arrangements

Hybrid

Shift

1st - Day

Valid Driving License

No

Hazardous Material(s)

N/A

Job Posting End Date

• 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.

Requisition ID

R399865