Sr Director, Data Science

MSD

Senior Director leading quantitative systems pharmacology and mechanistic modeling for Merck’s oncology drug development portfolio. Guiding teams, regulatory submissions, and clinical development decisions.

Posted 8/19/2026full-timeRahway • California, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Pennsylvania • 🇺🇸 United StatesSenior💰 $210,400 - $331,100 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in leading quantitative systems pharmacology (QSP) strategies and developing mechanistic PK-PD models for clinical decision-making. Proven ability to mentor interdisciplinary teams, ensure regulatory compliance, and foster innovation in drug development.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Ph.D. In Pharmaceutical Drug DevelopmentMechanistic PK-PD And QSP ModelingOncology Therapeutic Area KnowledgeMATLAB, R, SimBiology, PythonBusiness Intelligence (BI) And Data Engineering

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Hard Skills

Mechanistic PK-PD ModelingQSP ModelingData EngineeringData VisualizationMachine Learning (ML)Software DevelopmentDatabase DesignData ScienceData ModelingRegulatory Submissions

Soft Skills

Interdisciplinary CollaborationProblem ScopingPlanningWritten And Verbal CommunicationStakeholder Relationship Management

Tools & Technologies

MATLABRSimBiologyPythonModeling And Simulation Packages

Industry Keywords

Systems PharmacologyOncologyPharmaceutical Drug DevelopmentIND And NDA SubmissionsRegulatory Agencies

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

Python

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Lead and shape the QSP strategy across the oncology portfolio
Align QSP strategy with program goals and organizational priorities
Lead, mentor, and develop a team of quantitative scientists in a matrixed role
Collaborate with QP2 Oncology, preclinical DMPK and modeling teams, biologists, clinicians, and other line functions
Use mechanistic/QSP modeling for dose selection, combination strategies, and clinical trial design
Ensure high-quality, regulatory-grade QSP deliverables for internal decisions, submissions, and scientific advice meetings
Prepare QSP reports, briefing documents, and presentations for regulatory strategy
Foster scientific rigor, excellence, collaboration, and innovation and develop QSP modeling best practices
Partner with senior leaders in Translational Modeling, Discovery, and Clinical Development on modeling strategies and program decisions
Represent the company at scientific conferences, external collaborations, consortia, and industry working groups
Monitor emerging QSP methodologies and promote innovation
Manage budget planning, QSP vendor identification, outsourcing of QSP analyses, and contract requisitions
Report directly to the Executive Director and Section Head, QP2 Oncology
Travel approximately 10%

Requirements

What you’ll need

Ph.D. with at least ten years of pharmaceutical drug development experience relating to systems pharmacology, systems biology, PKPD, mathematics, chemical/biomedical engineering or related field; alternatively, Master's or PharmD with at least fifteen years of experience
Extensive and in-depth experience developing mechanistic PK-PD and QSP models for decision-making in early- and late-stage clinical development
Demonstrated ability to lead an interdisciplinary team or taskforce and/or oversee others' work
Oncology therapeutic area or disease knowledge
Experience with modeling and simulation packages or programming languages such as MATLAB, R, SimBiology, or Python
Experience working with external QSP vendors
Experience utilizing QSP modeling in IND, NDA, and other submissions to global regulatory agencies
Record of increasing responsibility, independence, and impact on drug development decisions through mechanistic model-based approaches
Proficiency in written and verbal communication, interdisciplinary collaboration, problem scoping, and planning
Required skills: Business Intelligence (BI), Database Design, Data Engineering, Data Modeling, Data Science, Data Visualization, Machine Learning (ML), Software Development, Stakeholder Relationship Management, Waterfall Model
Ability to work in the United States or Puerto Rico; visa sponsorship available

Benefits

Comp & perks

Annual bonus eligibility
Long-term incentive eligibility, if applicable
Medical, dental, vision healthcare and other insurance benefits for employee and family
Retirement benefits, including 401(k)
Paid holidays
Vacation
Compassionate days
Sick days
Visa sponsorship
Remote work for employees not within commutable distance to primary sites
Hybrid work for employees within commutable distance to primary sites