Specialist, Data Science

Job Description

 At our company we are leveraging analytics and technology, as we invent for life on behalf of patients around the world. We are seeking those who have a passion for using data, analytics, and insights to drive decision making, that will allow us to tackle some of the world’s greatest health threats.

Within our commercial Insights, Analytics, and Data organization we are transforming to better power decision-making across our end-to-end commercialization process, from business development to late lifecycle management. As we endeavor, we are seeking a dynamic talent to serve in the role of Specialist - Data Science.

This role involves working with our partners in different Business Units (Oncology and Pharma, Specialty & Infectious Diseases) and Domain areas (HCP/Account Analytics, Patient Analytics, Segmentation & targeting, Market Access, etc.) across products in different life cycles to help create scalable and production-grade analytics solutions, ranging from data visualization & reporting to advanced classical ML models and GenAI based agents/agentic capabilities.

You will work in the Customer Knowledge and Measurement Analytics function – supporting Oncology BU, where you will play a pivotal role in leveraging your traditional ML and GenAI expertise to address critical business challenges and derive insights to drive key decisions. Working alongside experienced Data Scientists and Business Analysts, you will have the opportunity to collaborate in translating business queries into analytical problems, employing your critical thinking, problem-solving, statistical, machine learning, and data visualization skills to deliver impactful solutions.

We are seeking candidates with prior experience in the healthcare analytics or consulting sectors, prior hands-on experience in Data Science (building end-to-end ML models). It is preferred that you have a good understanding of Physician and Patient-level data (PLD) from leading vendors such as IQVIA, Komodo, and Optum. Familiarity with HCP Analytics, PLD analytics, concepts like persistence, compliance, line of therapy, etc., or Segmentation & Targeting is highly desirable. You will be part of a dynamic team that collaborates with our partners across therapeutic areas. Furthermore, effective communication skills are crucial, as this role requires interfacing with executive and business stakeholders.

Who you are:

• You understand the foundations of statistics, probability, traditional ML and GenAI and can work in high-performance computing/cloud environments, with experience/knowledge in aspects across statistical analysis, model development, data engineering, data visualization, and data interpretation
• You structure your Data Science approach according to the necessary task, while appropriately applying the correct level of model complexity to the problem at hand
• You are self-motivated, and have demonstrated abilities to think independently as a Data Scientist and are able to own workstreams end-to-end partnering with BIA/Business Stakeholders
• You have an agile mindset of continuous learning and will focus on integrating enterprise value into team culture
• You are kind, collaborative, and capable of seeking and giving candid feedback that effectively contributes to a more seamless day-to-day execution of tasks

 Key responsibilities:

 

• Lead a team of Analysts – Data Science to solve complex business problems.
• Lead the team in understanding the business requirements and translating them into analytical problem statements.
• Applying GenAI to accelerate analytics workflows
• Define technical requirements (datasets, business rules, technical architecture), provide technical direction to the team and manage end-to-end projects
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to design and implement solutions that meet business requirements
• Present the findings to senior business stakeholders in a clear and concise manner
• Manage and mentor junior data scientists through technical and professional guidance, trainings etc.
• Develop deep expertise in the therapeutic area of interest, contribute to thought leadership in the domain through publications and conference presentations.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree with 5-7 years industry experience
• Proficiency in Python/R, SQL and Excel
• Experience in healthcare analytics or consulting sectors
• Experience working with real world evidence (RWE) and patient level data (PLD) from leading vendors such as IQVIA, Komodo, Optum etc.
• Experience in HCP Analytics, Segmentation and Targeting and Patient Level Data analytics (e.g., creating Patient Cohorts, knowledge of Lines of Therapy, Persistency, Compliance, etc.)
• Experience in leading small sized teams

·       Strong foundations of Statistics, Traditional ML and GenAI

Preferred Qualifications:

• Advanced degree in STEM (MS, MBA, PhD)
• Experience in Oncology therapeutic area commercial analytics
• Knowledge of Statistics, Probability, Classical ML models, LLMs, Commercial Analytics
• Experience of supporting End to End Project Management

Our Human Health Division maintains a “patient first, profits later” ideology. The organization is comprised of Sales, Marketing, Market access, Digital analytics and Commercial professionals who are passionate about their role in bringing our medicines to our customers worldwide.  

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. We are an equal opportunity employer, committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace.

Required Skills:

Analytics Insights, Analytics Insights, Business Decisions, Business Intelligence (BI), Business Needs, Data Analysis, Database Design, Data Engineering, Data Modeling, Data Modeling Techniques, Data Organization, Data Research, Data Science, Data Visualization, Executive Leadership, Healthcare Analytics, Influencing Skills, Machine Learning (ML), Model Driven Design, Project Life Cycle Management, Python (Programming Language), Software Development, Solutions Development, SQL Databases, Stakeholder Relationship Management {+ 4 more}

Preferred Skills:

Current Employees apply HERE

Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

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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:

No

Travel Requirements:

10%

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Hybrid

Shift:

1st - Day

Valid Driving License:

Yes

Hazardous Material(s):

NA

Job Posting End Date:

09/17/2026

*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.