Job Description

Epidemiology Scientist
Location: London (Moorgate)
Function: Translational Epidemiology & Advanced Methods (TEAM), Global Epidemiology

Help shape the future of medicines by turning real‑world data into real‑world impact.

We are looking for an ambitious Scientist, Epidemiology to join our Translational Epidemiology & Advanced Methods (TEAM) Unit within the Global Epidemiology Department. This role will primarily support our Infectious Diseases and Vaccines portfolio, applying advanced epidemiologic methods and real-world data to address key questions across the product lifecycle.  While the successful candidate will have opportunities to contribute across multiple therapeutic areas as part of TEAM, we are specifically seeking an epidemiologist with a strong background, expertise, and interest in infectious disease and vaccine epidemiology.

You will work at the interface of science, medicine, and data – partnering with colleagues across R&D and beyond to generate evidence that informs development, safety, and use of our medicines worldwide.

What you’ll do

As a Scientist, Epidemiology you will:

Drive observational research and RWE generation

• Contribute to the design and development of robust observational studies and protocols across assigned products and therapeutic areas
• Lead and support studies using real‑world data from selected major U.S. databases, as well as UK and European sources (claims, EHRs, registries, biobanks, surveys and other RWD)
• Help develop analysis plans and data specifications, and interpret study findings to support internal decision‑making, regulatory submissions and publications
• Prepare high‑quality tables, figures, and summaries for internal governance, regulatory agencies, and scientific communications

Partner across the organisation

• Collaborate closely with colleagues in Clinical Research, Regulatory Affairs, Safety, Statistics & Statistical Programming, Outcomes Research, Health Economics, Discovery Medicine, and Commercial
• Contribute epidemiologic input to product safety and risk management, post‑marketing safety studies, clinical development plans, and regulatory interactions
• Work as part of cross‑functional teams to ensure epidemiologic evidence is appropriately generated, understood, and applied

Advance methods and science

• Maintain awareness of key external data sources, especially U.S., UK, and European assets, relevant to our therapeutic areas
• Stay current with evolving epidemiologic and analytic methods (e.g., propensity scores, causal inference; familiarity with ML/AI‑based approaches is a plus)
• Strengthen the company’s scientific reputation by authoring or contributing to manuscripts, presenting at scientific meetings, and participating in peer review where appropriate

What you bring

Minimum education

• PhD in Epidemiology

Required experience and skills

• Demonstrated experience leading epidemiologic projects using large databases (e.g., national surveys, administrative claims, EHRs, disease registries), including familiarity with UK and European data assets
• Experience in infectious disease and/or vaccine epidemiology, with a clear interest in applying epidemiologic methods to infectious diseases and vaccine research
• Strong skills in observational study design and protocol development
• Experience working with large datasets in partnership with statisticians/programmers; proficiency in SAS and/or R, including the ability to independently manipulate, analyse, and interpret epidemiologic data
• Research output commensurate with career stage (e.g., peer‑reviewed manuscripts, abstracts, scientific presentations)
• Solid knowledge of core epidemiologic and pharmacoepidemiologic methods and of healthcare data structures in major markets
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with strong problem‑solving ability
• Proven ability to work effectively in cross‑functional teams and collaborate with colleagues from diverse scientific and professional backgrounds

Preferred experience and skills

• Broad experience applying epidemiologic methods to pharmaceutical or biotechnology research questions
• Familiarity with Good Pharmacovigilance Practices (GVP), Good Pharmacoepidemiology Practices, and FDA/EMA guidance on RWE/RWD

Why join us?

• Work with rich, diverse real‑world data sources from the U.S., UK, Europe, and beyond
• Influence decisions across the product lifecycle – from early development through post‑marketing
• Be part of a collaborative, scientifically rigorous Epidemiology department with strong links across R&D
• Grow your career in an environment that values innovation in methods, curiosity, and scientific excellence

If you are passionate about leveraging real‑world data and epidemiologic methods to improve patient outcomes, we would like to hear from you.

Required Skills:

Preferred Skills:

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Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

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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. 

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