Artificial Intelligence (AI) Ethics and Governance Senior Specialist

Job Description

Artificial intelligence is transforming the way we save and improve lives. The rising use of machine learning and advanced analytics brings great potential as well as risks of unintended consequences. Effectively scaling AI from bench to production rests on doing the right thing, with ethical policies, responsible development, and implementations that respect people, fairness, inclusion, and prevent harm.

As an AI Ethics and Governance Senior Specialist, you will be part of our dynamic global AI Ethics and Governance team working on AI risk assessment and governance processes in the organization.

You will be part of a key global project, working alongside subject matter experts and honing your skills and expertise in responsible AI. We are a highly collaborative team and our work is inherently cross-functional. You will have the chance to meet and work with stakeholders across the organization including senior leaders and have exposure to projects in human and animal health, business operations, supply chain management, clinical research, and IT.

Be a pioneer in the rapidly growing and recognized field of Responsible AI. In this role, you will have the opportunity to explore and work on our team’s multiple focus areas depending on your interest and expertise:

Primary Responsibilities

• Find and Mitigate Risks in AI Projects as a Senior AI Analyst. Leverage your skills and knowledge in AI systems to identify and assess potential risks and impacts, recommend appropriate mitigations, and prevent harm!

• Be recognized as an expert in AI ethics and governance. Work with business and technical stakeholders to understand business problems and AI risk. Represent the global AI Ethics and Governance team - guide stakeholders on company governance processes and promote adoption of responsble AI.

• Implement Explainable AI (XAI). Test and audit data sets, models and AI solutions for bias, fairness, and explainability using open-source and enterprise tools.

• Support development and implementation of policy processes and further the field of AI ethics. Be involved with building a safe, responsible, and ethical AI ecosystem in the organization and external industry.

• Research and stay on top of AI developments, best practices, and regulatory changes. Experience opportunities to develop guidance and contribute to external initiatives.

If you would describe yourself as:

• Self-motivated and driven to learn new topics and develop your domain expertise; Finds excitement in working at the bleeding edge in an emerging field.

• Passionate about building a fairer and more inclusive AI ecosystem with respect for all; Has a keen interest in AI ethics, responsible AI, including policy, legal or regulatory landscape for emerging technologies, data privacy, or intellectual property.

• Enjoys working in a cross-functional team; Has good communication and interpersonal skills and enjoys sharing knowledge and coaching others.

Education Qualification:

• Bachelor’s degree required

• Masters preferred

Required Experience and Skills:

• 6+ years relevant work experience in AI ethics and responsible AI, with in-depth knowledge of AI, ML, Generative AI, agentic systems and the emerging technology landscape.

• Experience in with trust and safety, risk management, governance or related.

• Ability to take ownership and work cross-functionally. Ability to foster a collaborative, positive and inclusive team culture and ways of working with stakeholders from fields.

• Ability to communicate and express technical viewpoints to senior stakeholders with succinctness and clarity

• Qualifications in analytical and technology disciplines, such as Engineering, Sciences, Mathematics, Computer Science or in Law, Philosophy or Psychology are encouraged to apply.

Desired Experience and Skills:

• Hands-on code development experience in Data Science, Machine Learning, Generative AI, and agentic systems (Python, generative models / LLMs, synthetic data, etc.)

• Knowledge of XAI (SHAP, LIME, etc.)

• Knowledge of law, IP, policy, regulatory processes, or industry standards in AI or related fields

• Domain knowledge in pharmaceutical business areas such as research, clinical, manufacturing, commercial and corporate functions is highly regarded

Required Skills:

Data Engineering, Design Applications, Information Security, Machine Learning (ML), Software Development, Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC), System Designs, System Integration, Testing

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

$129,000.00 - $203,100.00

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:

No relocation

VISA Sponsorship:

No

Travel Requirements:

10%

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Hybrid

Shift:

1st - Day

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

N/A

Job Posting End Date:

05/27/2026

*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.