Artificial Intelligence (AI) Ethics and Governance...

Artificial intelligence is transforming the way we save and improve lives. The rising use of machine learning and advanced analytics brings great potential as well as risks of unintended consequences. Effectively scaling AI from bench to production rests on doing the right thing, with ethical policies, responsible development, and implementations that respect people, fairness, inclusion, and prevent harm.

As an AI Ethics and Governance Senior Specialist, you will be part of our dynamic global AI Ethics and Governance team working on AI risk assessment and governance processes in the organization.

You will be part of a key global project, working alongside subject matter experts and honing your skills and expertise in responsible AI. We are a highly collaborative team and our work is inherently cross-functional. You will have the chance to meet and work with stakeholders across the organization including senior leaders and have exposure to projects in human and animal health, business operations, supply chain management, clinical research, and IT.

Be a pioneer in the rapidly growing and recognized field of Responsible AI. In this role, you will have the opportunity to explore and work on our team's multiple focus areas depending on your interest and expertise:

Primary Responsibilities

• Find and Mitigate Risks in AI Projects as a Senior AI Analyst. Leverage your skills and knowledge in AI systems to identify and assess potential risks and impacts, recommend appropriate mitigations, and prevent harm!

• Be recognized as an expert in AI ethics and governance. Work with business and technical stakeholders to understand business problems and AI risk. Represent the global AI Ethics and Governance team - guide stakeholders on company governance processes and promote adoption of responsble AI.

• Implement Explainable AI (XAI). Test and audit data sets, models and AI solutions for bias, fairness, and explainability using open-source and enterprise tools.

• Support development and implementation of policy processes and further the field of AI ethics. Be involved with building a safe, responsible, and ethical AI ecosystem in the organization and external industry.

• Research and stay on top of AI developments, best practices, and regulatory changes. Experience opportunities to develop guidance and contribute to external initiatives.

• Self-motivated and driven to learn new topics and develop your domain expertise; Finds excitement in working at the bleeding edge in an emerging field.

• Passionate about building a fairer and more inclusive AI ecosystem with respect for all; Has a keen interest in AI ethics, responsible AI, including policy, legal or regulatory landscape for emerging technologies, data privacy, or intellectual property.

• Enjoys working in a cross-functional team; Has good communication and interpersonal skills and enjoys sharing knowledge and coaching others.

Education Qualification:

• Bachelor's degree required

• Masters preferred

Required Experience and Skills:

• 6+ years relevant work experience in AI ethics and responsible AI, with in-depth knowledge of AI, ML, Generative AI, agentic systems and the emerging technology landscape.

• Experience in with trust and safety, risk management, governance or related.

• Ability to take ownership and work cross-functionally. Ability to foster a collaborative, positive and inclusive team culture and ways of working with stakeholders from fields.

• Ability to communicate and express technical viewpoints to senior stakeholders with succinctness and clarity

• Qualifications in analytical and technology disciplines, such as Engineering, Sciences, Mathematics, Computer Science or in Law, Philosophy or Psychology are encouraged to apply.

Desired Experience and Skills:

• Hands-on code development experience in Data Science, Machine Learning, Generative AI, and agentic systems (Python, generative models / LLMs, synthetic data, etc.)

• Knowledge of XAI (SHAP, LIME, etc.)

• Knowledge of law, IP, policy, regulatory processes, or industry standards in AI or related fields

• Domain knowledge in pharmaceutical business areas such as research, clinical, manufacturing, commercial and corporate functions is highly regarded, Data Engineering, Design Applications, Information Security, Machine Learning (ML), Software Development, Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC), System Designs, System Integration, Testing

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.

Learn more about your rights, including under California, Colorado and other US State Acts (https://www.msdprivacy.com/us/en/CCPA-notice/)

The salary range for this role is

$129,000.00 - $203,100.00

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.