Sr. Scientist, Precision Disease Genetics

Job Description

The Complex Disease Genetics (CDG) group within our Company's Data, AI and Genome Sciences (DAGS) Department is seeking motivated Senior Scientists to support our Cambridge-based research initiatives in complex disease genetics. We welcome applications from scientists with a graduate degree (PhD or equivalent) in statistical genetics, genetic epidemiology, computational biology, biostatistics, or a related field. The ideal candidate will have hands-on experience with human genetics and multi-omics data analysis and a strong interest in translational research for drug discovery and precision medicine.

As a key member of the Precision Disease Genetics group, you will contribute to the analysis of large-scale public and proprietary datasets—including population-based biobanks, patient cohorts, and family-based studies—integrating genetic, genomic, and clinical data.

Our Company has invested in external partnerships and collaborative initiatives to accelerate innovation in drug discovery and development. The CDG group leverages large-scale data resources, such as FinnGen, the Alliance for Genomic Discovery, Our Future Health, UK Biobank Pharma Proteomics Project, Open Targets, and other public and proprietary datasets, to advance our Company's drug development pipeline through human genetics.

Your work will contribute to our Company's drug development efforts by supporting target identification and validation and the implementation of precision medicine strategies across therapeutic areas. You will have the opportunity to work collaboratively with internal and external partners and to develop your expertise in human genetics and translational research.

In this exciting role, you will:

• Perform statistical genetics analyses for target discovery and validation using human genetics, multi-omics, and real-world data

• Support the development, implementation, and maintenance of analytical pipelines for reproducible genetic and genomic data analysis

• Conduct genetic association analyses using large-scale biobank data (e.g., UK Biobank, FinnGen, Our Future Health, Alliance for Genomic Discovery)

• Integrate and analyze public and proprietary genetic association summary statistics and conduct meta-analyses

• Perform post-GWAS analyses to help elucidate causal mechanisms and prioritize gene targets (e.g., fine mapping, colocalization, Mendelian Randomization, TWAS, polygenic risk prediction)

• Assist in integrating genetic association findings with multi-omics data (e.g., RNA-seq, ATAC-seq, QTLs) to support target prioritization

• Stay current with new methods in statistical genetics and participate in evaluating and implementing emerging analytical techniques

• Collaborate with wet-lab biologists, disease area experts, and data scientists to support research and patient stratification strategies

• Communicate scientific findings to internal teams and contribute to publications and presentations

Required Experience and Skills:

• PhD (or equivalent) in statistical genetics, genetic epidemiology, computational biology, biostatistics, or a related discipline, with some postdoctoral or equivalent research experience in complex disease genetics or related area

• Will consider candidates with either genetics/genomics background or real-world data background

• Research experience in human genetics, genomics, or related analysis, including genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and/or multi-omics analysis

• Familiarity with analytical pipelines and best practices for reproducibility and scalability in genetic data analysis

• Proficiency in programming languages commonly used in statistical genetics (e.g., R, Python, etc.)

• Experience working with large-scale datasets in could-based computing and high-performance computing environments

• Experience with complex phenotypes and/or real-world data (e.g., electronic health records, imaging, digital biomarkers)

• Exposure to molecular phenotypes, such as transcriptomics or proteomics

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams

Preferred Experience and Skills:​

• Interest or background in neuroscience, cardiovascular/metabolic diseases, immunology, or other complex diseases

As an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, we provide equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. As a federal contractor, we comply with all affirmative action requirements for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. For more information about personal rights under the U.S. Equal Opportunity Employment laws, visit:

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As an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, we provide equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. As a federal contractor, we comply with all affirmative action requirements for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. For more information about personal rights under the U.S. Equal Opportunity Employment laws, visit:

EEOC Know Your Rights

EEOC GINA Supplement​

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

U.S. Hybrid Work Model

Effective September 5, 2023, employees in office-based positions in the U.S. will be working a Hybrid work consisting of three total days on-site per week, Monday - Thursday, although the specific days may vary by site or organization, with Friday designated as a remote-working day, unless business critical tasks require an on-site presence.This Hybrid work model does not apply to, and daily in-person attendance is required for, field-based positions; facility-based, manufacturing-based, or research-based positions where the work to be performed is located at a Company site; positions covered by a collective-bargaining agreement (unless the agreement provides for hybrid work); or any other position for which the Company has determined the job requirements cannot be reasonably met working remotely. Please note, this Hybrid work model guidance also does not apply to roles that have been designated as “remote”.

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.

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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.

Employee Status:

Regular

Relocation: