MS

Senior Scientist, Biostatistics

MSD H-1BH-2AH-2BOPT Research and Science Full-timeUnited States $117,000.00 - $184,200.00
Posted Sep 11, 2026 · Expires Oct 7, 2026

Quick facts

Pay
$117,000.00 - $184,200.00
Type
Full-time
Location
United States
Background
PhD
Experience
3+ years
Industry
Research and Science — 76 open jobs
Visa in listing
H-1B, H-2A, H-2B, OPT
Apply
Free to apply — never pay anyone for a job offer or visa sponsorship

Job description

Job Description In BARDS (Biostatistics and Research Decision Sciences), a distinguished department within our company’s renowned Research and Development division, quantitative scientists, in partnership with other subject matter experts, apply state-of-the art scientific methodologies and tools to enable the discovery, development, regulatory approval, manufacturing, and marketing of medical drugs and vaccines for the benefit of patients and global human health.

Responsibilities: Develops, coordinates, and provides biostatistical support for related drug/vaccine projects under supervision in Late Development Statistics. Interacts with Clinical, Regulatory, Statistical Programming, Data Management and other Scientists part of our Research & Development Division in designing and analyzing clinical trials, and in coordinating the statistical activities for clinical drug/vaccine projects. The incumbent may initially work in a specific disease therapeutic area.

Primary activities: Serves as statistical representative in the cross-functional teams for the clinical trial planning, execution, and reporting. Develops individual protocols and data analysis plans and determines appropriate statistical methodology for data analysis. Participates in database design meetings to ensure that the data evaluated are in high quality and satisfy analysis requirements. Collaborates with the statistical programming staff to ensure that all programs meet analysis requirements, internal standard operating procedures, and external regulatory requirements. Evaluates appropriateness of available software for planned analyses and ascertains needs for potential program development of novel statistical methodology. Analyzes data and interprets results from clinical trials to meet objectives of the study protocol. Independently applies and implements basic and complex techniques to these analyses. Prepares oral and written reports to effectively communicate results of clinical trials to the project team, management, regulatory agencies, or individual investigators. Provides responses to queries relating to study design, analysis, and interpretation posed by the clinical monitors, regulatory agencies, and/or investigators. Is responsible for planning and ensuring the accuracy of Statistical Review Aids submitted to regulatory agencies. Participates with management in discussions with corresponding scientific personnel at regulatory agencies and with investigators concerning proposed or ongoing studies. Involved in research activities for innovative statistical methods and applications in clinical trial development.

Education and Minimum Requirement: PhD or equivalent degree in statistics/biostatistics or related discipline, or a Master’s degree with a minimum of 3 years relevant experience.

Required Skills and Experience: Knowledge of statistical analysis methodologies and experimental design. Working knowledge of statistical and data processing software e.g. SAS and/or R. Good oral and written communication skills. Able to work effectively with personnel with different functional background. Demonstrate strong interest in statistical research activities and in application of novel methods to clinical trial development. Must also demonstrate the ability to learn, be proactive and motivated, and consistently focus on details and execution.

Preferred Skills and Experience: An understanding of biology of disease and drug discovery and development.

BARDS2020 #eligibleforERP

Required Skills: Data Management, Data Science, Numerical Analysis, Scientific Modeling, Statistical Analysis, Statistical Research, Statistics

Preferred Skills: Current 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. The salary range for this role is $117,000.00 - $184,200.00 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 . You can apply for this role through (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: Yes Travel Requirements: 10% Flexible Work Arrangements: Hybrid Shift: Not Indicated Valid Driving License: No Hazardous Material(s): n/a Job Posting End Date: 09/14/2026 *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.

Visa sponsorship record

No public sponsorship records found

We didn't find H-1B, H-1B1, E-3 or green card (PERM) filings under the name MSD in the Department of Labor and USCIS data. That doesn't mean the job can't be sponsored — the company may file under a different legal name, be new to sponsorship, or sponsor a visa that isn't in these datasets (for example H-2B or J-1).

Tip: ask the recruiter early, in writing, which visa they sponsor and whether they cover the legal and filing fees.

Which visas can work for this job

Occupation: Statisticians (SOC 15-2041).

  • Mentioned in the listing

    H-1B, H-2A, H-2B, OPT

  • H-2B / H-2A (seasonal and temporary work)

    Temporary non-agricultural (H-2B) or agricultural (H-2A) jobs. The employer files a labor certification and petition; you apply for the visa at a US consulate. H-2B has a yearly cap of 66,000 (plus supplemental visas); H-2A has no cap.

  • EB-3 “other workers” green card

    Permanent residence for jobs that need less than 2 years of training. Waits for this category are long (often several years).

  • H-1B

    H-1B needs a role that requires at least a bachelor's degree, so it's usually not an option here.

Salary vs prevailing wage

Level III (experienced)

Statisticians · United States (national median of areas). Annual prevailing wages set by the Department of Labor (OFLC).

L1L2L3L4
LevelPrevailing wageH-1B lottery odds*
Level I$68,412~15%
Level II$87,194~31%
Level III$107,182~46%
Level IV$125,236~61%

This job pays $117,000 a year — that's Level III (experienced). In the wage-weighted H-1B lottery a Level III registration gets 3 entries; estimated selection chance about 46% — better than average.

* Odds are DHS projections for the FY2027 wage-weighted lottery (actual results vary by year and employer). Since the FY2027 cap season the H-1B lottery is weighted by wage level: Level I = 1 entry, II = 2, III = 3, IV = 4. The level is set by the offered wage against the prevailing wage for the occupation and worksite. Separately, a $100,000 fee for new H-1B petitions for workers outside the US was announced in 2025; as of September 2026 a federal court ruling keeps it unenforceable while appeals continue — check the current status.

Sources: U.S. Department of Labor OFLC disclosure data (H-1B/H-1B1/E-3 LCA, PERM), OFLC prevailing wage data, USCIS H-1B Employer Data Hub, E-Verify participating employers. Data loaded: LCA FY2024–FY2026, PERM, USCIS Data Hub, OFLC wages; updated 2026-10-03. Employers are matched by name, so records of companies with similar names can occasionally be mixed up. This is general information, not legal advice — talk to an immigration attorney about your case.