Director, Oncology Data Science
Merck
August 08, 2026
On-site
Boston, MA
Clinical Research and Development
Responsibilities:
- Investigate proprietary/public real-world molecular datasets and clinical trials using tissue and periphery assays to identify robust multimodal biomarkers of response/resistance across indications and lines of therapy, with line of sight to diagnostic development.
- Use advanced AI/ML to integrate multimodal data (RNAseq, WES, ctDNA, digital pathology, proteomics, immune activation assays, liquid biopsies) to discover biomarkers, molecular patient groups, and mechanisms reflected in longitudinal analytes.
- Present analyses to inform and interact with stakeholders across Translational Oncology, Molecular Diagnostics, Clinical Development, Statistics, Therapeutic Area Biology, and Commercial Development.
Qualifications:
- Education: Master’s (12+ years) or Ph.D. (8+ years) in Engineering, Applied Mathematics, Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, or related field; significant computational/statistical expertise and relevant pharma/biotech/academic experience.
Required Experience/Skills:
- Extensive computational methods experience in cancer biology.
- Demonstrated expertise with cloud-based computation environments (R/Python preferred).
- AI/ML experience (supervised/unsupervised learning, foundation models, modern coding).
- Genomic datasets across cancer types/therapeutic modalities with proven impact on drug development.
- Hands-on analysis of large genetic/genomic/immunogenomic/clinical datasets (e.g., TCGA, GTEx, DepMap, CPTAC) and RWD genomic/imaging/EHR.
- Leadership experience leading computational scientists.
- Strong communication; data-driven hypothesising; attention to detail; independent/flexible/collaborative.
Preferred Experience/Skills:
- Clinical-trial-derived genomic data analysis; companion diagnostic development (preferably NGS).
- Cancer biology understanding from molecular data; statistical learning/data mining expertise.
- Matrix collaboration; publishing record in high-profile journals.
Benefits/Compensation (if applicable): Annual bonus and long-term incentive (if applicable); comprehensive benefits (medical, dental, vision, retirement/401(k), paid holidays/vacation, sick/compassionate days). Salary range: $194,100–$305,600.
Application Instructions:
- Apply at https://jobs.merck.com/us/en (or via Workday Jobs Hub for current employees); application deadline stated on the posting.
- Investigate proprietary/public real-world molecular datasets and clinical trials using tissue and periphery assays to identify robust multimodal biomarkers of response/resistance across indications and lines of therapy, with line of sight to diagnostic development.
- Use advanced AI/ML to integrate multimodal data (RNAseq, WES, ctDNA, digital pathology, proteomics, immune activation assays, liquid biopsies) to discover biomarkers, molecular patient groups, and mechanisms reflected in longitudinal analytes.
- Present analyses to inform and interact with stakeholders across Translational Oncology, Molecular Diagnostics, Clinical Development, Statistics, Therapeutic Area Biology, and Commercial Development.
Qualifications:
- Education: Master’s (12+ years) or Ph.D. (8+ years) in Engineering, Applied Mathematics, Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, or related field; significant computational/statistical expertise and relevant pharma/biotech/academic experience.
Required Experience/Skills:
- Extensive computational methods experience in cancer biology.
- Demonstrated expertise with cloud-based computation environments (R/Python preferred).
- AI/ML experience (supervised/unsupervised learning, foundation models, modern coding).
- Genomic datasets across cancer types/therapeutic modalities with proven impact on drug development.
- Hands-on analysis of large genetic/genomic/immunogenomic/clinical datasets (e.g., TCGA, GTEx, DepMap, CPTAC) and RWD genomic/imaging/EHR.
- Leadership experience leading computational scientists.
- Strong communication; data-driven hypothesising; attention to detail; independent/flexible/collaborative.
Preferred Experience/Skills:
- Clinical-trial-derived genomic data analysis; companion diagnostic development (preferably NGS).
- Cancer biology understanding from molecular data; statistical learning/data mining expertise.
- Matrix collaboration; publishing record in high-profile journals.
Benefits/Compensation (if applicable): Annual bonus and long-term incentive (if applicable); comprehensive benefits (medical, dental, vision, retirement/401(k), paid holidays/vacation, sick/compassionate days). Salary range: $194,100–$305,600.
Application Instructions:
- Apply at https://jobs.merck.com/us/en (or via Workday Jobs Hub for current employees); application deadline stated on the posting.