Associate Director, Data Science, Neurodegenerative Causal Biology

Job Description

Associate Director, Data Science - Neurodegenerative Causal Biology

Our Company's Data, AI & Genome Sciences Department in Cambridge, MA is seeking an Associate Director, Data Science - Neurodegenerative Causal Biology, within the Translational Neuroscience Analytics team to drive data analysis delineating causal biology across CNS cell types as a part of our ongoing efforts of precision biomarker discovery in neurodegenerative diseases. The qualified individual will be a motivated data scientist or computational biologist with a track record of extracting predictive and actionable insights from multi-modal datasets, especially single-nucleus and spatial transcriptomics data in neurodegenerative diseases. In this role, they will develop and deploy analytic pipelines to integrate single-nucleus and spatial transcriptomics datasets from large patient cohorts and preclinical studies to establish causal models that link neurodegenerative disease pathology and target pathway biology across different CNS cell types and perform in silico perturbation simulations to predict therapeutic responses and identify novel biomarkers for specific therapeutics development programs. They will work alongside with other data scientists and AI/ML scientists in the department to develop and apply innovative approaches to perform such analysis and further integration with clinical, genetic, and other omics data types. They will also be closely collaborating with cross-functional teams of data scientists, bench biologists, and clinical colleagues to drive our neuroscience biomarker and translational strategies.

Primary responsibilities:

• Lead data analytic projects to drive precision biomarker discovery, inform translational strategies, and enable data-driven decision-making of multiple Neuroscience drug discovery programs.
• Build and deploy analytic workflows leveraging state-of-art statistical and AI/ML methods to analyze single-cell and spatial multi-omics datasets, with a specific focus on target MOA and biomarker discovery in neurodegenerative diseases.
• Formulate and drive integration of spatial and single cell data to build unified predictive framework incorporating causal inference captured in different CNS cell types (e.g., neurons and microglia).
• Collaborate with internal AI/ML teams to develop and incorporate new methodologies into existing frameworks to enhance data analysis capabilities.
• Work with experimental biologists, functional area experts, and clinical scientists to support drug discovery and development programs at various stages.
• Provide data science / computational biology input in research strategy, experimental design, provide data analytical input, and assist in interpreting results from both in-vitro and in-vivo studies.
• Communicate data analytic results effectively to project teams, key stakeholders, as well as the broader scientific community through written and verbal means, including proposals for further experiments, presentations at internal and external meetings, and publications in leading journals.

Required Qualifications:

• PhD in Data Science, Computational Biology, Computer Science, Neuroscience, Bioinformatics, Biostatistics, Biophysics, Genomics, or a related STEM discipline, with a minimum of 5 years of experience in multimodal data analytics.
• Deep understanding of computational methodologies for single-cell and/or spatial transcriptomics analysis and extensive experience in their applications, preferably in neurological disorders.
• Experiences in leveraging advanced AI/ML models (e.g., transformers, foundation models), causal gene regulatory network reconstruction, and in silico perturbation simulation for single-cell data analysis.
• Ability to critically evaluate and apply novel data analysis methods in translational applications.
• Experience of integrative omics data analysis utilizing large public datasets from neurodegenerative disease patient cohorts (e.g, ROSMAP, SEA-AD).
• Familiarity with neurobiology, particularly neurodegenerative diseases.
• Proficient in one or more programming languages (e.g., Python, R), HPC environments and/or cloud-based platforms, as well as version control systems (e.g., Github).
• Strong problem-solving skills, self-motivated, attention to detail, and ability to handle multiple projects.
• Extensive experience to conduct research in a collaborative environment and excellent ability to communicate scientific questions, methodologies, findings and insights.
• Track record of contributions to peer-reviewed publications in the field of data science or computational biology.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Outstanding scientific caliber with strong capabilities to identify key analytic questions and formulate rigorous data analytic plans to address critical scientific needs of drug discovery programs.
• Familiarity with spatial transcriptomics data generated with CosMx.

#EligibleforERP

Required Skills:
Biomarkers, Causal Inference, Collaborative Research, Computational Biology, Computer Science, Data Analysis, Data Engineering, Data Modeling, Data Science, Data Visualization, Gene Regulation, Genome, Machine Learning (ML), Neurodegeneration, Neurodegenerative Diseases, Neuroscience, Omics, Programming Languages, Research Strategies, R Programming, Scientific Research, Single Cell Analysis, Stakeholder Relationship Management, Statistics, Version Control

Preferred Skills:
Spatial Data Analysis, Transcriptomics

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Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

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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.

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U.S. Hybrid Work Model

Effective September 5, 2023, employees in office-based positions in the U.S. will be working a Hybrid work consisting of three total days on-site per week, Monday - Thursday, although the specific days may vary by site or organization, with Friday designated as a remote-working day, unless business critical tasks require an on-site presence.This Hybrid work model does not apply to, and daily in-person attendance is required for, field-based positions; facility-based, manufacturing-based, or research-based positions where the work to be performed is located at a Company site; positions covered by a collective-bargaining agreement (unless the agreement provides for hybrid work); or any other position for which the Company has determined the job requirements cannot be reasonably met working remotely. Please note, this Hybrid work model guidance also does not apply to roles that have been designated as "remote".

The salary range for this role is
$159,600.00 - $251,200.00

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 ;br>
You can apply for this role through (or via the Workday Jobs Hub if you are a current employee). 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:
No Travel Required

Flexible Work Arrangements:
Hybrid

Shift:
Not Indicated

Valid Driving License:
No

Hazardous Material(s):
n/a

Job Posting End Date:
02/9/2026
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