Associate Principal Scientist in Computational Biology and Machine Learning

Our presence in the UK goes back a long way. For over 80 years, we’ve been researching, developing and supplying new medicines and vaccines that prevent and treat diseases that occur at every stage of life. Today we’re one of the top five biopharmaceutical companies in the UK and employ over 2,000 people across the UK. We are officially certified by the Top Employer Institute and been awarded the exclusive Top Employer United Kingdom Certification for the second year running.

Our mission is built on the simple premise that if we “follow the science” that great medicines can make a significant impact to our world. We believe that a research-driven enterprise dedicated to world-class science can succeed by inventing medicine and vaccine innovations that make a difference for patients across the globe.

Our Research Scientists are our Inventors. We identify and target steps in disease mechanisms or pathways that could be inhibited or enhanced. Our goal is to isolate a compound that is effective against a disease target. Using innovative thinking, state-of-the-art facilities and robust scientific methodology we collaborate to discover the next medical breakthrough.

We have exciting plans to establish a new state-of the-art Research and Discovery Centre in London’s ‘Knowledge Quarter’ opposite King’s Cross Railway station. Our new site, expected to be completed within the next 5 years, will employ circa 800 people across our research and commercial divisions.

We have a new opportunity for a highly motivated and exceptional Associate Principal Scientist in Computational Biology and Machine Learningto join our Genomics and Biomarker Sciences (GBS) Group at MSD’s Discovery Centre in Kings Cross, London.

Role overview:

The qualified individual will be a recognized expert in the field of Computational Biology, Computer Science, Statistics, Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence combined with knowledge of Biology. They will have a strong understanding of how to utilize multi-dimensional biological data, apply statistical and machine learning approaches to identify and validate novel drug targets and diseases biomarkers. They will be responsible for delivering insights in broad spectrum of diseases and identify opportunities for drug development from public and proprietary data sets, and from our biobank collaborations. The person in this role will be expected to operate in a collaborative matrix environment, working with experimental and computational scientists at London Discovery Centre, Francis Crick Institute, peers in Statistical Genetics and Genome Sciences groups in Boston, Cambridge and Pennsylvania and colleagues in Data Science and Machine Learning teams in Prague. You will be a part of a diverse and thriving global GBS team that is tightly integrated with multidisciplinary scientific environment at our London site. You will be interacting with leading academic groups and research centres across the UK/EU and expected to advance your internal and external scientific profile through presentations and peer-reviewed publications.

Roles and responsibilities:

• Use Statistical and Machine Learning methods to analyze Genomics, Human Genetics and other relevant data to identify targets, pathways and biomarkers in multiple Therapeutics Areas (e.g., CNS, Immunology, Cardiometabolic diseases) and disease relevant mechanisms (e.g., Mitochondrial Dysfunction, Oxidative Stress, Cellular Senescence and Proteostasis)

• Work closely with colleagues in Statistical Genetics, Computational Biology and Genome Sciences to develop and implement predictive modeling methods for target and biomarker discovery
• Maintain proficiency in applying classical and modern computational biology and machine learning approaches and be competent in explaining and justifying the methods used
• Engage with internal and external peers to identify best computational methodologies, automate data analysis and visualization tools
• Lead due diligence and evaluation of novel machine learning methods for early target and biomarkers discovery
• Provide high quality and timely support for target discovery projects across all TAs in collaboration with other functional area scientists
• Author written reports and verbal communication of study results to project team and key stakeholders
• Proactively give and receive feedback on projects, propose novel approaches, prepare presentations at national and international meetings, and publications in leading journals

Education Required:

• PhD (with 5+ years of academy/industry experience) in Computational Biology, Computer Science, Applied Mathematics, Statistics, Biostatistics or Physics or a related discipline

Experience required:

• Demonstrated expertise in applying Machine Learning and Statistical approaches to multi-omics data analysis and biological data integration
• Relevant biotech, pharmaceutical experience is preferred but not required
• Proficient in one or more programming languages (e.g., Python, R, SQL) and good working knowledge of public and industry standard bioinformatics databases and tool
• Competent working in Linux environment, able to navigate IT systems for efficient data management and deployment to the cloud or internal HPC clusters
• Demonstrated ability to conduct research individually and collaboratively, prioritize work against departmental and company goals
• Experience in analyzing data sets related to neurobiology and/or immunology is highly desirable
• Knowledge of the drug discovery and development process would be advantageous
• Proficiency to critically evaluate scientific research and ability to adopt novel informatics methods for translational applications
• Strong record of peer reviewed publications and history of achievement
• Strong multi-tasking and self-management skills
• Excellent communication skills (written, presentation, and oral) are required

Your role at our company is integral to helping the world meet new breakthroughs that affect generations to come, and we’re counting on your skills and inventiveness to help make meaningful contributions to global medical advancement. At our company, we’re inventing for life.

We are proud to be a company that embraces the value of bringing diverse, talented, and committed people together. The fastest way to breakthrough innovation is when diverse ideas come together in an inclusive environment. We encourage our colleagues to respectfully challenge one another’s thinking and approach problems collectively for the common good. We are an equal opportunity employer, committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace.

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Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ, USA, also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., Kenilworth, 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.

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Requisition ID:R128529