Senior Data Scientist, Neuroscience Biomarker Discovery

Job Description

Our Company’s Data, AI & Genome Sciences Department in Cambridge, MA is seeking a Senior Specialist (Senior Scientist), Data Science - Neuroscience Biomarker Discovery to join our ongoing efforts of using cutting-edge data analytic approaches to identify biomarkers and inform translational strategies in Neuroscience. The qualified individual will be a motivated data scientist or computational biologist with a track record of developing and using advanced AI/ML methodologies to analyze proteomics data and integrate with other data modalities to drive biomarker discovery. In this role, they will develop and deploy computational approaches to integrate biofluid proteomics data with other omics data from patient cohorts and preclinical models to identify biomarkers for disease severity or progression, pathological subtypes, and target pathway biology in Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and pain. To achieve these goals, they will drive the development of new approaches that enable target-biomarker-indication mapping and contextualization. They will work alongside other data scientists, geneticists, AI/ML scientists in the department to develop and apply innovative approaches to analyze and integrate proteomics data with WGS, bulk/single-cell/spatial RNAseq, and metabolomics data to identify disease subtypes and predict therapeutic responses of biomarkers and clinical endpoints in specific subgroups of patients. 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:

• Support data analytics projects to drive precision biomarker discovery, inform translational strategies, and enable data-driven decision-making of multiple Neuroscience drug discovery programs. 

• Help formulate and drive integrative analysis of biofluid proteomics data with other omics data modalities and across multiple patient cohorts to contextualize biofluid biomarker dynamics, and map biomarkers to target biology, disease mechanisms, and patient subpopulations in neurodegenerative diseases and pain.

• Collaborate with AI/ML scientists to develop and incorporate new methodologies into existing frameworks to enhance integrative data analysis capabilities.

• Collaborate with data generation, analytics and IT teams to build platforms for data sharing and knowledge dissemination. 

• 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 into 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 wider 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, Genetics/Genomics, or a STEM related discipline, preferably with 3+ years of experience in integrative multimodal data analytics.

• Demonstrated experience in developing novel and integrative analytic approaches to converting data into actionable insights.

• 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 integrative multi-omics analysis approaches, especially biofluid proteomics.

• Familiarity with public databases, repositories, and consortia for neurological disease research, especially those include biofluid proteomics data (e.g., BioFINDER, ADNI, PPMI, UKBB).

• 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).

• Ability to critically evaluate and apply novel data analysis methods.

• Strong problem-solving skills, self-motivated, attention to detail, and ability to handle multiple projects.

• 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:

• Prior experience in driving pipeline decisions through data analytics in industry settings.  

• Extensive experience in QC and analysis of data generated with various proteomics platforms (Olink/SomaScan/LC-MS/Seer).

• Working knowledge of leveraging knowledge graphs for data integration.

#EligibleforERP

Required Skills:

Alzheimer's Disease, Biological Research, Biomarker Identification, Biomarkers, Collaborative Research, Computational Biology, Database Design, Data Engineering, Data Modeling, Data Science, Data Visualization, Detail-Oriented, Genome, Machine Learning (ML), Neurodegenerative Diseases, Neurological Disorders, Neuroscience, Omics, Parkinson's Disease, Programming Languages, Proteomics, Self Motivation, Stakeholder Relationship Management

Preferred Skills:

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Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

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. Please click here if you need an accommodation during the application or hiring process.

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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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.

You can apply for this role through https://jobs.merck.com/us/en (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

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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:

06/10/2026

*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.