Job Description
Postdoctoral Research Fellow – (Associate Scientist)
Be a part of a unique research experience with an academic focus in a commercial environment. Research Laboratories Postdoctoral Research Fellow Program aims to be a best-in-industry program for industrial postdoctoral researchers. With the resources, reach, and expertise of a large pharmaceutical company, postdoctoral researchers are positioned to excel in an institution committed to breakthrough innovation in research and discovery development.
Position Overview:
This position is in the vaccine modeling team of the Health Economic and Decision Sciences (HEDS) department withing Biostatistics and Research Decision Sciences (BARDS) at our Research and Development Division. BARDS HEDS provides strategic and analytic modeling expertise to measure and quantify the value of the company’s products. As part of an agile team, the fellow will develop and support a seamless mechanism of coordination and collaboration in a dynamic area of interdisciplinary research. Collaboration with modeling scientists, data scientists, IT partners, and subject matter experts will ensure effective deployment of ordinary differential equation and agent-based vaccine models, which will be used to simulate infectious disease spread, assess vaccine effectiveness at the population level, and evaluate key elements of vaccine trial designs.
At BARDS, we value in our working environment where employees are enabled to develop and contribute.
Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
Reporting under a Senior Director within the Vaccines team within HEDS, the fellow is expected to:
- Explore current vaccine-related structural assumptions and parametrization strategies employed in dynamic transmission models of infectious disease,
- Explore current methodologies for uncertainty quantification and model selection with respect to vaccine-related structural assumptions and parameterization strategies,
- Develop dynamic transmission models of infectious disease to evaluate the impact of different vaccine-related structural assumptions,
- Develop and evaluate different methods for model selection and uncertainty quantification in the context of vaccine-related structural assumptions used in dynamic transmission models of infectious disease,
- Develop excellent working relationships within partner across our Research and Development Division; ensure effective cross-functional collaboration across teams,
- Collaborate externally and solicit input from appropriate stakeholders and adopt latest techniques from relevant published literature, and
- Disseminate key research findings/methodology via scientific presentations at congresses and publications in scientific journals.
Education Minimum Requirement:
Candidates should currently hold a PhD OR will receive a PhD by the start of employment in Mathematics, Statistics, Computer Science, or a closely-related quantitative field.
Required Experience and Skills:
- Previous experience with mathematical modeling of complex dynamic systems,
- Previous experience working on interdisciplinary research projects and/or working within interdisciplinary teams,
- Ability to gather, organize, and synthesize complex information in order to draw conclusions and make recommendations,
- Strong creative problem solving skills, and
- Strong interpersonal, networking, presentation, and communication skills.
Preferred Experience and Skills:
- Previous experience with dynamic transmission models of infectious disease,
- Previous experience with agent-based model development and implementation,
- Previous experience with parameter estimation and identification,
- Background in economics and/or previous experience with cost-effectiveness analysis, and
- Ability to communicate effectively in English in both verbal and written formats
postdoctoralopportunities
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:
Cross-Functional Collaboration, Exploration, Infectious Disease, Interdisciplinary Research, Mathematics Modeling, Scientific Presentations, Uncertainty Quantification
Preferred Skills:
Behavioral Sciences, Behavioral Sciences, Biomedical Research, Business Networking, Clinical Research, Clinical Trial Designs, Communication, Community Research, Computer Networking, Economics, Health Education, Health Informatics, Higher Education Research, Innovation, International Research, Job Placement, Medical Research, Mentorship, Organizational Behavior, Policy Research, Preclinical Research, Qualitative Research, Research Administration, Research Development, R Programming {+ 6 more}
Current Employees apply HERE
Current Contingent Workers apply HERE
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:
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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.
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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:
08/7/2026*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: R407454
