Job Description

Be a part of the legacy: Postdoctoral Research Fellow Program

Our Research Laboratories’ Postdoctoral Research Fellow Program aims to be a best-in-industry program for industrial postdoctoral researchers, designed to provide you with an academic focus in a commercial environment. With the resources, reach, and expertise of a large pharmaceutical company, postdoctoral researchers will be positioned to excel in an institution committed to breakthrough innovation in research and discovery.

Position Overview:

As a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the Department of Epidemiology, you will contribute to the important study of viral immune and autoimmune responses following Epstein Barr Virus (EBV) infection, and how these immune responses may lead to multiple sclerosis (MS), a neurodegenerative disease that causes significant morbidity. To do so, you will collaborate closely with a multidisciplinary team of scientists from the EBV and neurology disease areas, including clinical development and epidemiology.

Although there is strong evidence to support a link between Epstein Barr Virus (EBV) and multiple sclerosis (MS), the mechanism by which Epstein Barr Virus (EBV) may cause multiple sclerosis (MS) is not known. Furthermore, there is no identified biomarker that may predict onset of multiple sclerosis (MS), either shortly or many years after Epstein Barr Virus (EBV) infection. In this role, you will use advanced analytic methods (including machine learning and -omics approaches) to identify patterns in host immune response associated with multiple sclerosis (MS). These findings can both generate new hypotheses as to how Epstein Barr Virus (EBV) infection may cause multiple sclerosis (MS) and also identify biomarkers that predict multiple sclerosis (MS). You will have the opportunity to present your work at scientific meetings as well as publish in peer-reviewed journals. Overall, this work will contribute to an understanding of how Epstein Barr Virus (EBV) may cause MS in order to help inform measurement of the impact of Epstein Barr Virus (EBV) therapeutics and vaccines on the reduction in risk of multiple sclerosis (MS).

As a Postdoctoral Research Fellow, you will work with a dedicated mentor team and collaborate, both internally and externally, with experienced scientists. You will be expected to present your research at scientific conferences. There may be opportunities for project-related travel, depending on your interest and the needs of the project.

Primary responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Develop statistical models of host and immune response variables predictive of multiple sclerosis (MS) in matched case-control study.

Identify and implement analytic methods (such as machine learning or group-based trajectory models) appropriate for large datasets (>6,000 variables) for exploratory analyses of serology data.

Explore external datasets in which findings could be replicated for purposes of validation.

Collaborate with both internal and external scientists to further the study of the role of immune responses in the relationship of Epstein Barr Virus (EBV) and multiple sclerosis (MS).

Evaluate internal and external data sources related to characterizing the burden of multiple sclerosis (MS) as well as other autoimmune diseases and their relationship with Epstein Barr Virus (EBV)

Publish results in peer-reviewed journals and present at scientific conferences.

Required:

Candidates must have received their PhD within 6 months of hire in epidemiology and/or biostatistics; infectious diseases or related field.
Candidates should have interest in the study of infectious disease and vaccines.
Experience in identifying and implementing appropriate statistical models.
Experience with conducting analyses using software such as R, SAS, or Stata.
Proficiency in written and verbal communication.

Preferred:

Knowledge related to immunology, pharmacoepidemiology, neurology, and/or oncology.
Skills and knowledge related to advanced analytic methods such as artificial intelligence and machine learning.
Experience conducting molecular epidemiology studies, including the analysis of serology samples and omics analyses.
Experience using large real-world healthcare data sources (e.g., insurance/administrative claims data)

This is a hybrid position based in West Point, Pennsylvania.

postdoctoralopportunities

Required Skills:

Adaptability, Adaptability, Analytical Chemistry, Biomarker Identification, Biostatistics, Cell Culture Techniques, Computational Biology, Data Analysis, Epidemiology, Immunoassays, Immunotherapy, Infectious Disease, Infectious Disease Research, In Vivo Mouse Models, Mathematical Biology, Molecular Biology, Multiple Sclerosis, Neuroanatomy, Neurology, Neuroradiology, Neurosurgery, Oncology, Programming Languages, Scientific Writing, siRNA Knockdown {+ 1 more}

Preferred Skills:

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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:

06/13/2026

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