AVP and Head of Computational and Structural Chemistry

Job Description

New hires working in our US & Puerto Rico locations will be required to demonstrate that they have been fully vaccinated for COVID-19 or qualify for a medical or religious exemption or accommodation to this vaccination requirement, subject to applicable law.

We believe that our computational and structural capabilities are the critical accelerators to delivering on our mission to invent medicines that save and improve lives. We are seeking an outstanding leader who can empower our highly-talented team and industry-leading platform to accelerate the delivery on this mission as a key component of our global Discovery Chemistry team and in support of the wider Discovery Organization.

This position:

• Leads the Computational and Structural Chemistry department, a network organization (~115 FTEs) across multiple geographies that supports the entire pipeline through: computational modeling, informatics, structural chemistry, protein biochemistry, mass spectrometry and biophysics.

• Sets vision and strategy for this team and platform capabilities that accelerate our ability to invent medicines.

• Actively develops talent, maximizes diversity of thought and drives inclusive culture that empowers and engages all team members.

• Reports into Head of Discovery Chemistry. Sits on as a member of the Discovery Chemistry leadership team, contributes to DC strategy and tactics and cross-network talent development.

• Member of multiple network governance committees and workstreams intended to ensure drive maximal impact from this these capabilities across the network

• The Computational and Structural Chemistry department enables the invention of novel medicines through:

  • Molecular modeling capabilities that inform our design/make/test/analyze cycles towards drug-likeness

  • Cheminformatics capabilities that maximize our ability to leverage our data to drive new insights and hypotheses and enable increasingly accurate predictions

  • World-class structural capabilities that yield structures that to inform on design across all modalities and stages of development

  • Protein biochemistry team that leverages internal and external capabilities to provide high quality reagents in support of the entire portfolio

  • Mass spectrometry team that advances our industry leading platform to impact high-throughput experimentation, protein design and high-throughput screening

  • Biophysics/BioNMR team that supports our pipeline through detailed characterization of protein/protein and protein/ligand interactions (affinity screens, structure-activity relationships, protein characterization)

Education Requirement:

Ph.D. in Chemistry or appropriate scientific discipline is preferred.

Experience required:

• Minimum 15 years of industry experience with significant leadership roles in either in silico or experimental components of the role (preferred is experience with both)

Skills required:

• Clear evidence of pipeline impact and platform innovation, demonstrated passion for team building and talent development, champion for diverse and inclusive culture, strong external reputation leader

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 …

Imagine getting up in the morning for a job as important as helping to save and improve lives around the world. Here, you have that opportunity. You can put your empathy, creativity, digital mastery, or scientific genius to work in collaboration with a diverse group of colleagues who pursue and bring hope to countless people who are battling some of the most challenging diseases of our time. Our team is constantly evolving, so if you are among the intellectually curious, join us—and start making your impact today.

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.

New hires in office-based roles in the US & Puerto Rico will be required, subject to applicable law, to demonstrate that they have been fully vaccinated for COVID-19 or qualify for a medical or religious exemption to this vaccination requirement that can be accommodated without an undue burden to the operation. However, subject to applicable law, employees working in roles that the Company determines require routine collaboration with external stakeholders, such as employees in health services, customer facing commercial, or research based roles, will be required to be fully vaccinated as a condition of employment.

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.

For more information about personal rights under Equal Employment Opportunity, visit:

EEOC Poster

EEOC GINA Supplement​

OFCCP EEO Supplement

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We are proud to be a company that embraces the value of bringing diverse, talented, and committed people together. The fastest way to breakthrough innovation is when diverse ideas come together in an inclusive environment. We encourage our colleagues to respectfully challenge one another’s thinking and approach problems collectively. We are an equal opportunity employer, committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace.

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:

Relocation:

VISA Sponsorship:

Travel Requirements:

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Shift:

Valid Driving License:

Hazardous Material(s):

Number of Openings:

Requisition ID:R160691