Associate Director, Research Data Protection & Analytics

Job Description

Position Overview:

Information Sciences is seeking an Associate Director, Research Data Protection & Analytics to support R&D efforts related to insider risk, trade secret protection, and research data governance through advanced analysis and strategic collaboration.  This role plays a critical part in driving data-driven decision-making by uncovering actionable insights from complex datasets and delivering key metrics and insights. Under the direction of the group lead, the successful candidate will manage day-to-day program activities, foster strong stakeholder partnerships, and champion innovative solutions that enhance operational efficiency.  With a passion for science and technology, this position offers the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to protecting valuable organizational assets.

If you thrive on solving complex information challenges, enjoy leading cross-functional collaborations, and are motivated by the opportunity to enhance the impact of scientific research through innovative information strategies, then we encourage you to apply.

 

Primary Activities:

The primary activities include, but are not limited to:

• Principal responsibility for managing the day-to-day activities for the program

• Contribute to asset identification

• Lead the maintenance and lifecycle tracking of assets

• Coordinate external monitoring strategies and communications

• Perform data analysis to derive insight and identify potential opportunities for the organization

• Deliver routine metrics to leadership to provide insight about activities their organization

• Identify patterns and trends in large datasets to extract actionable insights

• Utilize complex analytical techniques to enhance data processing capabilities

• Conduct in-depth data analysis to understand data relationships and inform decision-making processes

• Develop and maintain dashboards, KPIs, and reporting for research data protection and insider risk activities

• Analyze patterns in research data movement, access, and handling to identify risk trends and improvement opportunities

• Partner with R&D stakeholders to understand research workflows and apply risk-based protection controls

• Support asset identification and lifecycle tracking for critical research data and other crown jewel assets

• Translate analytical findings into recommendations for leadership and program strategy

• Partner closely with cross-functional teams to communicate data-driven recommendations and findings to stakeholders at various levels, including senior management

• Collaborate with team members to define key metrics and develop analytical frameworks

• Building stakeholder engagement through targeted outreach and communications

• Cultivating strategic partnerships, understanding business needs, establishing rapport, and nurturing open communication to facilitate development of client focused programs and initiatives

• Agent for change in how we do our work

• Contributes to assessment of current and future information needs

• Strong commitment to compliance and ethical standards in data handling and analysis

 

Skills:

Education/Experience

Degree in a scientific, medical, data science, or mathematical discipline plus experience in pharmaceutical/biotech industry: 

• Bachelor’s and 9+ years of experience

• Master’s and 7+ years

• PhD and 3+ years

 

Required

Technical & Asset Protection

• Experience with data loss prevention and information protection strategies

• Strong information governance skills, including identifying sensitive data, applying data classifications, mapping data handoffs/transfers across systems, and defining KPIs

• High degree of scientific literacy, enabling effective risk prioritization and the development and continuous enhancement of data protection

• Experience creating or evolving policies, standards, and procedures for information protection, with a strong commitment to compliance and ethical standards

• Experience with programming languages such as Python or R, and proficiency in SQL for data extraction, manipulation, and analysis

• Ability to consolidate, interpret, and derive insights from complex datasets, and effectively communicate findings to both technical and non-technical audiences

• Ability to maintain in-depth knowledge of the research pipeline, disease and therapeutic areas, and relevant industry trends

Collaboration & Communication

• Work collaboratively in a matrixed, cross-functional, and interdisciplinary environment, while developing and maintaining strong relationships with key internal departments and stakeholders

• Ability to influence and drive outcomes without direct authority

• Conduct outreach and training to promote data protection and governance practices

Work Style

• Systematic problem-solving, quick grasp of things and superior attention to detail in developing tailored solutions, high degree of reliability and integrity

• Well-organized and balances taking direction from others (sponsors, partners, clients) with taking initiative to manage multiple projects and learning responsibilities

Preferred

• Experience with natural language processing, machine learning, automation, PowerApps, PowerBI

• Experience with advanced functionality of Teams

• Knowledge of statistical concepts/modeling

Required Skills:

Data Analysis, Data Extraction, Data Loss Prevention (DLP), Information Protection, Machine Learning (ML), Microsoft Power Business Intelligence (BI), Prioritization, Scientific Literacy

Preferred Skills:

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.

Learn more about your rights, including under California, Colorado and other US State Acts

The salary range for this role is

$142,400.00 - $224,100.00

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. More information about benefits is available at https://jobs.merck.com/us/en/compensation-and-benefits.

You can apply for this role through https://jobs.merck.com/us/en (or via the Workday Jobs Hub if you are a current employee). The application deadline for this position is stated on this posting.

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:

No

Travel Requirements:

10%

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Hybrid

Shift:

Not Indicated

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

n/a

Job Posting End Date:

07/7/2026

*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.