Post Doc Fellow, Data Science for Multi-omics and Biomarker Modeling in Neuroscience

We are a research-driven biopharmaceutical company committed to “following the science” to deliver medicines and vaccines that make a global impact. We focus on critical steps in disease pathways to identify targets and discover compounds that can modify disease. Through innovative thinking, state-of-the-art facilities, and rigorous scientific methodology, we collaborate to advance the next medical breakthrough.

We are seeking a highly motivated, data science focused Postdoctoral Research Fellow to join the Neuroscience Translational Analytics team within Data, AI & Genome Sciences Department at our Cambridge site.

The successful candidate will develop and apply novel AI/ML methods linking biofluid biomarkers with tissue-based multi-omics (e.g. single-cell and spatial omics) to drive precision patient subtyping and predictive modeling in neurodegenerative diseases, with a primary focus on Alzheimer’s disease (AD). You will design end-to-end ML/DL pipelines and new algorithms from cross-cohort data ingestion and harmonization to modeling, validation, and delivery of tools for in silico target perturbation and biomarker dynamics prediction - centered on AD biology while ensuring methods generalize to other disease and therapeutic areas. You will work closely with data scientists, computational biologists, and neuroscientists to deliver benchmarked models and reusable codebases that enable patient subtype specific mechanism discovery.

Key responsibilities

1. Design and implement end-to-end AI/ML pipelines for biomarker discovery and patient subgroup stratification using multi-modal data (e.g., multi-omics, clinical/lab values, imaging), including robust ETL (ingestion, QC, normalization, harmonization) and reproducible workflow orchestration.
2. Develop and innovate on ML/DL methods tailored to study objectives: formalize hypotheses, translate mathematical ideas into implementable algorithms, conduct ablation and robustness analyses, and iterate based on emerging data and stakeholder feedback.
3. Build and benchmark models beyond standard off-the-shelf approaches, including: multi-omics integration models at scale; models for patient subtyping and progression prediction models for in silico perturbation and biomarker dynamics.
4. Translate model outputs into actionable insights: produce clear visualizations, summaries; deliver well-documented code, APIs, and reproducible analyses.
5. Develop high-quality documentation and internal tools to enable reuse and scaling.
6. Collaborate with computational, experimental, and clinical partners on study design, cohort definition, data interpretation, and prioritization of follow-up validation experiments.
7. Contribute to scientific communication: publications and preprints, present findings to cross-functional teams, internal and external meetings and conferences.

Required qualifications

1. PhD in Computer Science, Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Computational Biology/Bioinformatics, or a related quantitative field; or equivalent research experience.
2. Demonstrated experience developing and applying new AI/ML models for healthcare/biomedical data (e.g., multi-omics, clinical/lab data, real-world data, imaging).
3. Strong grounding in probability, linear algebra, optimization, and numerical methods with a deep understanding of modern ML/DL algorithms.
4. Ability to read, critique, and implement state-of-the-art ML papers, and to adapt/extend existing algorithms to novel biological problems and data types.
5. Proficiency in Python with solid object-oriented design and software engineering best practices; hands-on experience with deep learning frameworks (e.g., PyTorch) and end-to-end ML workflows; computer science foundations enabling translation from math to production code.
6. Strong scientific track record, demonstrated by peer-reviewed publications in AI/ML, computational biology, or related venues, or other scientific achievements (e.g., awards, patents, open-source contributions, grants).

Preferred qualifications

1. Knowledge of Alzheimer’s disease or neurodegenerative biology.
2. Experience with biomarker discovery and/or patient stratification.
3. Expertise in one or more of multi-omics integration at scale (genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics; single-cell/spatial preferred), graph/network methods, causal inference.

The salary range for this role is:

$71,900 - $113,200

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.

Required Skills:

Accountability, Adaptability, Analytical Chemistry, Cell Culture Techniques, Computational Biology, Data Analysis, Immunoassays, In Vivo Mouse Models, Mathematical Biology, Molecular Biology, Parasitology, Programming Languages, Scientific Research, Scientific Writing, siRNA Knockdown, Statistical Analysis, Synthetic Chemistry

Preferred Skills:

US and Puerto Rico Residents Only:

Our company is committed to inclusion, ensuring that candidates can engage in a hiring process that exhibits their true capabilities. Please click here if you need an accommodation during the application or hiring process.

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”.

San Francisco Residents Only: We will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records for employment in compliance with the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance

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

Search Firm Representatives Please Read Carefully

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:

Domestic

VISA Sponsorship:

Yes

Travel Requirements:

10%

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Hybrid

Shift:

Not Indicated

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

N/A

Job Posting End Date:

03/13/2026

1. A job posting is effective until 11:59:59PM on the day BEFORE the listed job posting end date. Please ensure you apply to a job posting no later than the day BEFORE the job posting end date.

Requisition ID:R386368

Are you looking for more jobs nearby? Find your favorite jobs now by visiting our online jobs page.