Merck & Co, Inc

Director, Data Science, Foundation Model AI

Merck & Co, Inc • $194K — $305K *
Cambridge, MA 02139Hybrid
Pharmaceuticals & Biotech
5 - 7 years of experience
Reposted 5 days ago
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • PhD or MS in a relevant STEM field with significant experience in AI/machine learning.
  • Deep expertise in classical machine learning techniques, particularly in probabilistic models and causal analysis.
  • Proven leadership experience managing teams of machine learning researchers and engineers.
  • Expertise in training large models within multi-node, multi-GPU environments.
  • Strong knowledge in multi-modal foundation models and their architectures.

Responsibilities

  • Lead a team to develop large foundational AI models for biomedical applications.
  • Identify impactful research questions in collaboration with cross-functional teams.
  • Align research efforts with business objectives to drive value delivery.
  • Oversee model training and provide technical direction on multi-modal data interpretations.
  • Promote a culture of AI excellence and mentor team members in research.

Benefits

  • Medical, dental, and vision healthcare coverage for employees and their families.
  • Retirement benefits including 401(k) plans.
  • Generous paid holidays, vacation time, and sick leave.
  • Comprehensive insurance options for health and wellness.
Full Job Description
Job Description

As Director of foundational AI, you will be responsible for leading a team of machine learning researchers and engineers, overseeing both large foundation model development and the development of bespoke methods for extracting insights from noisy biological data. Your work will advance our understanding of complex diseases and support the development of innovative therapeutic strategies. In this pursuit, you will have at your disposal high-performance clusters with several hundred state-of-the-art GPUs, access to biological, computational, and engineering experts from across our company and external vendors, and a team of exceptional machine learning researchers. You will be part of a broader, cross-functional team of computational biologists, data scientists, software engineers, and machine learning researchers who strive to identify therapeutic targets and biomarkers.

Primary Responsibilities
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to identify research questions of high impact.
  • Align and prioritize the group's research and development work with our company business needs.
  • Articulate the group's agenda and demonstrate delivered business value to diverse stakeholders.
  • Provide deep technical guidance. Oversee the training of large multi-modal foundation models. Work with data, including various omics, imaging, and text modalities.
  • Interpret and critically analyze results from machine learning and AI models.
  • Cultivate and champion a culture of AI excellence within DAGS and across our company
  • Coach and advance the team of machine learning researchers.
  • Stay current with AI, machine learning, and statistics. Proactively propose and pilot promising research directions.
  • Publish research findings in relevant conferences and journals and actively contribute to the scientific community through knowledge sharing and collaborations.
  • Establish and nurture existing collaborations with academia and industry.


Required Education, Experience, And Skills
  • PhD in Computer Science, Statistics, Physics, Engineering, Mathematics, Data Science, AI/Machine Learning, Computational Biology, Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, or related STEM field and 7+ years of full-time experience or an MS and 10+ years of experience.
  • Deep technical expertise in classical machine learning, including probabilistic models and causal analysis. Demonstrated world-class expertise in at least one sub-area of machine learning or AI, as shown by publications in NeurIPS, ICML, ICLR, AISTATS, or equivalent venues, and/or open-source projects.
  • Experience leading teams of machine learning researchers and software engineers.
  • Experience training large models on multi-node, multi-GPU environments.
  • Experience designing novel architectures for multi-modal foundation models.
  • Experience in post-training foundation models, including familiarity with parameter-efficient fine-tuning, post-hoc interpretability, and preference optimization.
  • Strong proficiency in Python and awareness of software engineering best practices.
  • Experience with standard deep learning frameworks like the PyTorch ecosystem.
  • Excellent communication skills and ability to work collaboratively in a multi-disciplinary team.
  • Interest in life sciences problems and disease biology, and willing to learn from and teach others.


Preferred Skills and Experience
  • Experience training and working with large transformer-based models is strongly preferred.
  • Experience with modern generative modeling paradigms, such as diffusion modeling and flow matching.
  • Experience or interest in reinforcement learning (RL) and using RL for training reasoning models.
  • Familiarity and prior experience with biological data and biological foundation models are strong pluses.
  • Relevant publications in scientific journals and experience contributing to research communities, including NeurIPS, ICML, ICLR, etc.


#EligibleforERP

Required Skills:
AI Architecture, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Computer Science, Data Engineering, Data Science, Foundation Model Fine Tuning, Foundation Models, Generative AI, Genomics, Machine Learning (ML), Python (Programming Language), PyTorch, Software Development, Transformer Model

Preferred Skills:

Current Employees apply HERE

Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

Employee Status:
Regular

Relocation:
Domestic

VISA Sponsorship:
Yes

Travel Requirements:
10%

Flexible Work Arrangements:
Hybrid

Shift:
Not Indicated

Valid Driving License:
No

Hazardous Material(s):
n/a

Job Posting End Date:
06/12/2026
*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.

About Merck & Co, Inc

Schering-Plough Corporation is a major U.S.-based manufacturer of pharmaceuticals. It operates in three segments: Prescription Pharmaceuticals, Animal Health, and Consumer Health Care. Schering-Plough develops products targeting on allergy, cancer, hepatitis, cardiovascular, central nervous system, respiratory system, and more.  It was founded in 1851 by Ernst Christian Friedrich Schering as Schering AG in Germany. Schering-Plough manufactured several pharmaceutical drugs, the most well-known of which were the allergy drugs Claritin and Clarinex, an anti-cholesterol drug Vytorin, and a brain tumor drug Temodar. It also developed drugs targeting on central nervous system and the respiratory system. Schering Plough also owned and operated the major foot care brand name Dr. Scholl's and the skin care line Coppertone. These also became a part of the new company. Schering-Plough was a full member of the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA), a membership which is also maintained by the new Merck.

Merck & Co, Inc Careers

Join the visionary team at Merck & Co, Inc, a global leader in healthcare dedicated to advancing the world of medicine. As part of our professional community, you'll find dynamic job opportunities that foster innovation and leadership across various fields. Merck & Co, Inc is not just a company; it's a place where you can make a difference.

Work You’ll Do

At Merck & Co, Inc, we are committed to improving global health through groundbreaking research and innovative healthcare solutions. Our team is at the forefront of developing new therapies and vaccines that significantly impact public health worldwide. By joining us, you will collaborate with some of the brightest minds in the industry, using your skills to contribute to projects that save and improve lives around the globe.

Explore Career Paths

Whether you're seeking an internship, a graduate opportunity, or a professional position, Merck & Co, Inc offers a range of career paths in environments that promote rapid professional growth and development. Explore job opportunities in research, digital transformation, manufacturing, and more, all while benefiting from a culture that supports diversity and inclusion.

Innovate and Lead

Merck & Co, Inc is an ideal environment for those who lead with curiosity and the drive to innovate. Our leadership is committed to fostering a culture where inventive thinking and collaboration are encouraged, making it a perfect place for professionals who seek to make an impact through their work.

Develop Your Skills

With Merck & Co, Inc, you are not just getting a job; you're gaining access to unparalleled career development opportunities. Enhance your skills through diverse training programs, workshops, and continuous learning courses designed to help you grow at every stage of your career.

Benefits and Culture

We understand that our employees are our greatest asset, which is why we offer competitive benefits designed to support the health and well-being of you and your family. From comprehensive health care coverage and retirement plans to flexible working conditions and wellness programs, our benefits package is designed to meet the diverse needs of our team members.

Join Our Team

Ready to advance your career at Merck & Co, Inc? Search open positions that match your skills and interests. We are continuously hiring and looking for passionate, creative, and solution-driven team players. Prepare your resume, sharpen your interview skills, and become part of a company that's dedicated to making a difference.

Stay Connected

Keep up to date with career tips, insider perspectives, and industry-leading insights you can put to use today—all from the people who work here. Engage with us through our careers blog and by participating in networking events and employment fairs. Subscribe to receive personalized job alerts and the latest news tailored to your preferences. Discover the exciting and rewarding opportunities that await at Merck & Co, Inc. Join us in our mission to improve health and wellness around the world.
Learn more about Merck & Co, Inc
Size
68,000 employees
Market Cap
$282.6 billion
Industry
Pharmaceuticals & Biotech
Net Income
$7 billion
Founded
1668
5 Year Trend
+4.1%
Revenue
$47.9 billion
NASDAQ
MRK
* Ladders Estimates

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