Job Description

Job Description

Our Research Scientists are our Inventors. We identify and target steps in disease mechanisms or pathways that could be inhibited or enhanced. Our goal is to isolate a compound that is effective against a disease target. Using innovative thinking, state-of-the-art facilities and robust scientific methodology we collaborate to discover the next medical breakthrough.

We are currently recruiting for a key individual to contribute to our company's human genetics effort. This Director will perform both a critical strategic role, as well as a hands-on role, in overseeing the scientific direction of programs involving precision medicine for target identification and validation.

This Boston-based position will report to the Executive Director of Early Discovery Genetics (EDG) within the Genetics and Pharmacogenomics Department (GpGx). The qualified individual will be a recognized expert in the field of statistical genetics, bioinformatics, or genetic epidemiology (with an emphasis on human genetics of complex traits) and have a strong understanding of functional interrogation of genetic findings, systems biology, and drug development. In addition to providing strategic and operational leadership, the incumbent will sit on the EDG management, lead a team of approximately 5 direct reports, and work closely with other teams in EDG and Genetics & Pharmacogenomics (GpGx). He/she will be expected to operate in a highly collaborative environment, partnering with peers on-site (all therapeutic areas, quantitative biosciences, chemistry, translational pharmacology) and at other research sites including New Jersey, Pennsylvania and South San Francisco. This position will also require extensive interactions with external partners, including leaders in academia as well as other Pharma/biotech companies.

Specific responsibilities include:

* Participating in developing, and driving, the strategy to identify and prioritize Targets entering the early pipeline across all therapeutic areas as part of EDG leadership team.
* Leading a team of ~5 individuals including the hiring of new, outstanding scientists in statistical genetics, genetic epidemiology, and bioinformatics responsible for applying these tools to target identification and validation rooted in human genetics.
* Managing a budget responsible for the application of human genetics to drive target identification and validation.
* Developing new external collaborations with academia and industry partners to leverage tools to exploit human genetics in order to discover new drug targets.
* Partnering with a dedicated team of geneticists and functional biologists to build biological packages in support of targets that emerge from human genetics.
* Engaging with internal peers in diverse areas informatics, pharmacology, chemistry, therapeutic area biology, experimental medicine to identify opportunities for drug development based on human genetic discoveries.
* Integrate diverse omics / biological datasets with human genetic data to identify novel pathways for drug development across all therapeutic areas.
* Providing Genetics expertise across our company Discovery.
* Collaborating across functional areas and in a matrixed environment to develop integrated research plans, optimize resource allocation, and maximize efficiencies to best execute on programs.
* Working with other data analysts and experimentalists to identify genes and variants associated with human phenotypes in families with rare Mendelian traits, as well as individuals from the general population, or distinct population cohorts;
* Use of interrogation tools including Mendelian randomization and PheWAS to evaluate potential genetic targets for drug discovery
* Written and verbal communication of study results to the project team and the scientific community, including proposals for further experiments and publications in leading journals.

Education:

* MD, MD/PhD or PhD required.

Required:

* Demonstrated experience with a minimum of 6 years of experience after postdoctoral fellowship training in human statistical genetics, genetic epidemiology, or bioinformatics (peer-reviewed publication, history of achievement, patents, etc.) with an appreciation of the role of human genetics for target identification and validation.
* Demonstrated leadership skills. Proven ability to create and work within high-performance teams and/or matrix organization, strong influencing skills.
* Demonstrated ability to conduct research individually and collaboratively and prioritize work against departmental and company goals.
* Excellent oral and written communication skills, ability to establish and maintain productive cross-site and high caliber external collaborations.
* Proficiency to critically evaluate scientific and therapeutic proposals and adopt novel technologies to facilitate groundbreaking research.
* Proven track record in change management including ability to eliminate obstacles/barriers in order to implement change.
* Ability to create partnerships with key stakeholders.

This position is located in Boston/Cambridge MA.

We are a research-driven biopharmaceutical company. Our mission is built on the simple premise that if we follow the science that great medicines can make a significant impact to our world. We believe that a research-driven enterprise dedicated to world-class science can succeed by inventing medicine and vaccine innovations that make a difference for patients across the globe.

Who we are

We are known as Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, New Jersey, USA in the United States and Canada and MSD everywhere else. For more than a century, we have been inventing for life, bringing forward medicines and vaccines for many of the world's most challenging diseases. Today, our company continues to be at the forefront of research to deliver innovative health solutions and advance the prevention and treatment of diseases that threaten people and animals around the world.

What we look for

In a world of rapid innovation, we seek brave Inventors who want to make an Impact in all aspects of our business, enabling breakthroughs that will affect generations to come. We encourage you to bring your disruptive thinking, collaborative spirit and diverse perspective to our organization. Together we will continue Inventing For Life, Impacting Lives while Inspiring Your Career Growth.

INVENT.

IMPACT.

INSPIRE.

NOTICE FOR INTERNAL APPLICANTS

In accordance with Managers' Policy - Job Posting and Employee Placement, all employees subject to this policy are required to have a minimum of twelve (12) months of service in current position prior to applying for open positions.

If you have been offered a separation benefits package, but have not yet reached your separation date and are offered a position within the salary and geographical parameters as set forth in the Summary Plan Description (SPD) of your separation package, then you are no longer eligible for your separation benefits package. To discuss in more detail, please contact your HRBP or Talent Acquisition Advisor.

US and Puerto Rico Residents Only:

If you need an accommodation for the application process please email us at staffingaadar@msd.com
For more information about personal rights under Equal Employment Opportunity, visit:

EEOC Poster

EEOC GINA Supplement

OFCCP EEO Supplement

OFCCP Pay Transparency Rule

We are an equal opportunity employer, Minority/Female/Disability/Veteran proudly embracing diversity in all of its manifestations.

Search Firm Representatives Please Read Carefully
Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ, USA, also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., Kenilworth, 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:

Domestic

VISA Sponsorship:

Yes

Travel Requirements:

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Shift:

Valid Driving License:

Hazardous Material(s):

Number of Openings:

1
Requisition ID:R81405