Job Description

The Quantitative Pharmacology and Pharmacometrics (QP2) department drives model-informed drug discovery and development (MIDD) to routinely enable efficient drug discovery/development and/or regulatory decisions. The Pharmacometrics group within QP2 brings an experienced leadership team, deep modeling expertise and state-of-the-art modeling approaches across multiple therapeutic areas and modalities to drive portfolio impact from discovery through life-cycle management. The team is externally visible and continues to be at the leading edge of building innovative state-of-the-art tools together with applying AI/ML techniques to drive pipeline impact. As we enter a new era of AI-driven drug development, our mission is to amplify MIDD through cutting-edge AI, advanced analytics, and automation. With AI/ML now integral to decision-making at our Company, this role gives the Director the opportunity to shape pipeline impact and lead a talented team of pharmacometricians.

We are seeking a visionary Pharmacometrics AI Lead to shape and execute on a bold, multi-year transformation agenda within QP2. This Director will work with the Pharmacometrics Head to frame and deliver on the integration of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and digital technologies into quantitative pharmacology workflows—positioning our Company at the forefront of AI-enabled drug development.  A strong core foundation in standard Pharmacometric Approaches (e.g., PK/PD, disease progression modeling, MBMA) is essential, alongside the ability to translate emerging AI/ML capabilities into practical, high-impact applications within clinical development and regulatory contexts. This Director will shape next-generation MIDD approaches, accelerate decision-making across the portfolio, and unlock new value through data, automation, and predictive analytics.

Key Responsibilities:

• Identify high-value, scalable use cases that can innovate and accelerate development timelines and execute on the strategic integration of AI/ML into QP2 pharmacometric approaches to advance MIDD across the portfolio

• Evaluate emerging AI/ML technologies, lead proof-of-concept initiatives, and translate successful pilots into enterprise-scale solutions that deliver real-world value

• The incumbent will participate in our Company's key Enterprise-wide AI/ML efforts as a departmental liaison on such workstreams in partnership with IT, our Company Enterprise Strategy Office, and other Partner functions to implement robust AI solutions

• Will take a leadership role in influencing and driving a longer-term departmental strategy for utilization of AI/ML in Pharmacometrics

• Collaborate with QP2 TA Representatives and Pharmacometricians to identify opportunities for AI/ML usage in MIDD on our Company Programs

• Lead adoption initiatives through training programs and upskilling efforts, fostering a culture of innovation and empowering teams to embrace AI/ML methodologies

• Initiate and manage external collaborations which include technology providers, academia, and consortia to develop new AI/ML methodologies and lead our external outreach to the scientific pharmacometrics community

• Maintain a current understanding of emerging AI/ML technologies/vendors and lead assessments for application to Pharmacometric workflows

• Take a leading role in developing Agentic AI workflows that drive efficiencies in standard pharmacometric workflows

Required Experience:

• Ph.D. with at least 8 years of experience where “experience” means having a record of increasing responsibility and independence in a similar role in pharmaceutical drug development

• Educational background in pharmacometrics, mathematics, or statistics/biostatistics or a related quantitative discipline

• Deep hands-on expertise in pharmacometrics (e.g., population PK and PK/PD analyses, model-based meta-analysis, dose-response and exposure-response analyses, disease modeling, trial simulation, optimal study designs, strategic decision analyses)

• Demonstrated leadership in applying AI/ML methods in drug development with at least 2 years of demonstrated examples (through publications or other) of utilizing AI/ML/NLP approaches for drug development.

• Proven success in scaling digital solutions from pilot to enterprise deployment

• Deep knowledge of drug development, pharmacokinetics and pharmacology, MIDD principles, regulatory expectations, and the evolving role of AI/ML in clinical development

Preferred Experience:

• Demonstrated external visibility in the field of pharmacometrics, through publications, presentations, and involvement in professional organizations shaping the industry dialogue on responsible and effective AI adoption in drug development

• Experience in developing quantitative strategies impacting pipeline decisions

• Strong understanding of data architecture, cloud platforms, and modern analytics ecosystems

• Hands-on experience with specific AI tools (e.g. Python/R/Matlab for ML, TensorFlow/PyTorch, cloud-based ML platforms)

• Ability to participate in and to steer an interdisciplinary team, and to oversee the work of other scientists

• Demonstrated ability to craft compelling executive-level narratives and influence senior stakeholders

• Good interpersonal and communication skills that ensure teamwork and productive interactions among various personalities/areas of expertise

Why This Role Matters

This is more than a strategy role—it’s an opportunity to redefine how data, science, and technology converge to transform drug development. You will play a pivotal leadership role in advancing AI-driven innovation that directly impacts patient outcomes worldwide.

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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.

The salary range for this role is

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. 

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