The successful candidate will bring exceptional matrix leadership and managerial skills to drive cheminformatics and data science innovation that amplifies pipeline impact across our discovery organization. They will lead a team of highly skilled cheminformatics professionals and create an environment that supports the growth of data science talent through sustained engagement with stakeholders in chemistry, biology, and IT.

In this role, the candidate will guide the development and application of cheminformatics capabilities that enable and enhance decision-making across the drug discovery process. The team serves as a force multiplier-translating key scientific questions into scalable data architectures, workflows, and algorithmic innovations that are broadly deployed across programs.

They will partner closely with stakeholders to ensure optimal use of resources and platforms provided by our research division’s IT department, and to embed cheminformatics solutions into the DMTA cycle. Through active participation in cross-functional and cross-divisional data science communities, they will help shape and advance a data-fluent culture across the organization.

As a people manager, the successful candidate will demonstrate a passion for talent development and foster a diverse, inclusive, and high-performing team culture that empowers individuals and strengthens collaboration across sites.

Responsibilities

• Sets vision and strategy for cheminformatics capabilities and platforms that accelerate scientific learning and decision-making in drug discovery
• Leads a multi-site team of cheminformatics and data science specialists, spanning data engineering, analytics, and scientific software development
• Actively develops talent, fosters diversity of thought, and builds an inclusive culture that engages and empowers all team members
• Engages stakeholders across the drug discovery spectrum-from early target identification and chemical biology through lead optimization and safety-to understand needs and enable impactful solutions
• Translates scientific challenges into scalable data architectures, workflows, and algorithmic approaches that can be broadly leveraged across multiple projects
• Drives development of next-generation cheminformatics workflows through integration of modern technologies, including machine learning (e.g., generative and predictive modeling), knowledge graphs, and emerging AI approaches
• Ensures that developed capabilities are effectively deployed and adopted in collaboration with project teams and modeling partners
• Builds and maintains strong partnerships with IT to co-develop robust, sustainable platforms supporting scientific workflows
• Balances strategic investment in new capabilities with effective utilization of existing solutions to maximize organizational value
• Collaborates with leaders across Bioinformatics, Biostatistics, Quantitative Biology, and Modeling to align on data science strategy and priorities
• Contributes to cross-divisional alignment on the role of data science and informatics in the organization
• Works closely with Modeling, Structure, and Biophysics leadership to identify opportunities where cheminformatics can enhance broader modeling and discovery efforts
• Maintains visibility across the discovery portfolio to identify emerging needs and opportunities for scalable cheminformatics support, Auditing Research Pipettes Operations Investments Calculations Communication Life Sciences Biotechnology Pharmaceuticals Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office Support Services Microsoft Outlook Technical Services General Mathematics Laboratory Equipment Organizational Skills Intellectual Curiosity Commercial Real Estate Artificial Intelligence Laboratory Instrumentation +0 Low Voltage Technician TEKsystems

Framingham, MA*On-Site

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Physics, DataOps Research Chemistry Leadership Innovation Statistics Compassion Biophysics Mathematics Scalability Informatics Biochemistry Data Science Communication Data Analysis Team Building Biostatistics Data Modeling Collaboration Drug Discovery Decision Making Cloud Computing Cheminformatics Knowledge Graph Computer Science Machine Learning Telephone Skills Data Engineering Chemical Biology People Management Influencing Skills Advanced Analytics Talent Development Workflow Management Predictive Modeling Contingent Workforce Computational Biology Stakeholder Engagement Mathematical Chemistry Artificial Intelligence Computational Chemistry Pharmaceutical Sciences Dynamic Mechanical Analysis Influencing Without Authority MLOps (Machine Learning Operations) Computer-Aided Drug Design & Discovery Quantitative Structure Activity Relationship, * BS, MS or PhD in cheminformatics, bioinformatics, chemistry, biology, biochemistry, physics, statistics, computational chemistry, computational biology, data science, AI/ML, computer science, math, pharmaceutical sciences, engineering, or a related STEM field, * PhD and 7+ years of professional experience applying computational and data science approaches to interdisciplinary scientific problems in drug discovery, MS and 9+ years of experience, OR BS and 13+ years of experience.

• 2+ years of managerial experience with demonstrated strength in team building, talent development, and inclusive leadership
• Experience designing and implementing modern computational workflows, including coding best practices, cloud-based systems, and MLOps/DataOps approaches
• Strong understanding of cheminformatics, data analytics, and data engineering in the context of early drug discovery
• Experience enabling predictive modeling and advanced analytical approaches in a collaborative, matrixed environment
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate across functions and influence strategy across scientific and technical domains
• Experience engaging effectively with IT organizations to co-develop scalable platforms
• Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to translate complex technical concepts into actionable solutions

EligibleforERP, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Cheminformatics, Chemistry, Cloud Computing, Computational Chemistry, Computer Aided Drug Design, Data Modeling, Data Science, Drug Discovery Process, Machine Learning (ML), Model Development, People Management, Quantitative Structure Activity Relationship (QSAR), Stakeholder Engagement, Stakeholder Relationship Management, Metrology

Visionary Innovation Electricity Reliability Prototyping 3D Modeling Sheet Metal Fabrication Workmanship Spreadsheets Supply Chain Traceability Communication Machine Tools CNC Machining Semiconductors Systems Design Vacuum Systems Detail Oriented SolidWorks (CAD) Assembly Drawing Machinery Design Change Management Bill Of Materials Power Electronics CAD Data Exchange Thermal Management Library Management Electrical Diagrams Mechanical Drafting Hydraulic Machinery Time Off Management Constructive Feedback Mechanical Engineering Artificial Intelligence Technical Documentation Product Data Management Configuration Management Engineering Change Order Engineering Design Process Data Version Control (DVC) Performance Systems Analysis Continuous Improvement Process Computer Numerical Control (CNC) Geometric Dimensioning And Tolerancing ASME Boiler And Pressure Vessel Code (BPVC)

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.

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The salary range for this role is $236,000.00 - $371,500.00

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.