Associate Director, Scientific Reference Data and Ontologies

Company: Merck
Location: Rahway
Posted on: June 1, 2025

Job Description:

Job DescriptionThe Associate Director of Scientific Nomenclature and Reference Data is responsible for assigning accurate chemical nomenclature to small molecules and biologics, as well as creating and maintaining reference data utilized across the company. The incumbent will play a pivotal role in meeting cross-divisional and regulatory requirements by their strong scientific background, excellent communications skills, and project management skills to derive high-quality reference data to meet the diverse needs of the business in a timely manner.Primary activities include, but are not limited to:

• Creating and maintaining reference data and chemical nomenclature throughout the lifecycle
• Entering reference and nomenclature data into a centralized database
• Performing data integrity review activities, including proofreading
• Developing rules to ensure data quality
• Contributing as a key player to discussions relating to the evolving standards of reference data and chemical nomenclature
• Leading nomenclature and reference data projects or other data management tasks
• Facilitating timely delivery of high-quality scientific nomenclature to meet the diverse needs of the business
• Supporting maintenance and testing for the reference data systems, including SDLC
• Identifying opportunities to improve efficiency, effectiveness and quality and implement changes
• Building and maintaining excellent relationships with end users/stakeholders, including outreach and engagement
• Identifying, evaluating, and/or developing new reference data sources
• Demonstrating knowledge of company policies and procedures governing information disclosureChemical Nomenclature
  • Leveraging knowledge of IUPAC and CAS nomenclature to assign chemical names to small molecules and biologics
  • Researching existing chemical names for accuracy
  • Maintaining up to date knowledge of IUPAC and CAS standards and rulesReference Data
    • Utilizing knowledge of the drug development process and of master data principles for small molecules, biologics, vaccines, devices to assign company identifiers and descriptive metadata
    • Maintaining current knowledge of data standards for pharmaceutical products, such as IDMP ISO standards for identifying medicinal products and WHO Drug Dictionary
    • Maintain pharmaceutical product reference data (non-company)Qualifications:Education:
      • Degree in chemistry, chemical engineering, or related scientific discipline plus relevant pharmaceutical/biotech industry experience - Bachelor's and 8+ years, Master's and 6+ years, PhD and 3+ yearsRequired:Chemical Nomenclature
        • Completed at least one year of organic chemistry coursework
        • Knowledge and experience with chemical nomenclature (IUPAC or CAS style), structures, and stereochemistry
        • Experience with structure drawing software (ChemDraw, ACD, etc.)
        • Reference Data
        • Knowledge or experience with terminology (dictionaries, thesauri, taxonomies, ontologies) or reference/master data standards (U.S. and/or international)
        • Experience with master data management systems, content, and processes
        • Experience in master data management, data standards and business rules, provenance and stewardship
        • Experience with biomedical and/or chemical searching resources (SciFinder, STN, Medline/PubMed, Dialog, etc.)
        • Familiarity with small molecules, biologics, and vaccines
        • Broad understanding of drug discovery, development and research, clinical data coding and experience working within a regulated environment
        • Ability to engage stakeholders to determine reference/master data requirements in support of their business needs, and deliver the data solution
        • Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to convey technical and business information
        • Strong prioritization and project management skills, with high attention to detail
        • Ability to work effectively in a matrix environment
        • Ability to work independently to drive tasks to completion and to act with appropriate accountability
        • Excellent customer service orientation with prompt response to inquiries
        • Ability to present in a group environment
        • Ability to work under pressure in a changing environment with flexibility
        • Proficiency with Microsoft Office products, especially ExcelPreferred:
          • Knowledge of database structure and available tools to manage, extract, and report data
          • Computer programming skills (i.e., XML, Python, etc.)
          • Knowledge of text mining, machine learning, natural language processing, and data visualization
          • Database searching skills (i.e. SQL)
          • Familiarity with ontologies and data standards relevant to the biomedical industry (e.g. GO, MedDRA, CDISC, MESH, UMLS, HL7, WHO-Drug and ATC classes, IDMP)
          • Experience designing and developing taxonomies, reference data or controlled vocabularies
          • Familiarity with medical devices
          • Experience with FAIR principles and other standards
          • Experience writing and maintaining process documentation#eligibleforERPCurrent Employees apply Current Contingent Workers apply 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 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: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.U.S. Hybrid Work ModelEffective 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".The Company is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the salary range for this job in certain states and cities within the United States. Final determinations with respect to salary will take into account a number of factors, which may include, but not be limited to the primary work location and the chosen candidate's relevant skills, experience, and education.Expected US salary range:$135,500.00 - $213,400.00Available benefits include bonus eligibility, long term incentive if applicable, health care and other insurance benefits (for employee and family), retirement benefits, paid holidays, vacation, and sick days. A summary of benefits is listed .San Francisco Residents Only:We will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records for employment in compliance with the San Francisco Fair Chance OrdinanceLos 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 OrdinanceSearch 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:RegularRelocation:DomesticVISA Sponsorship:NoTravel Requirements:10%Flexible Work Arrangements:HybridShift:Not IndicatedValid Driving License:NoHazardous Material(s):n/aJob Posting End Date:05/28/2025*A job posting is effective until 11:59:59PM on the day BEFOREthe 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:R324696
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Keywords: Merck, Wayne , Associate Director, Scientific Reference Data and Ontologies, Executive , Rahway, New Jersey