Head of Materials AI at Merck

Work Location:  San Jose, CaliforniaShift:  Department:  EL-CT CTORecruiter:  Anthony MelinoThis information is for internals only. Please do not share outside of the organization.Your RoleEMD Electronics is in the middle of a fundamental shift in how R&D gets done. Over the next several years, AI, automation, and connected data infrastructure will reshape every stage of the materials discovery cycle, from ideation and simulation to lab experimentation and analysis. The Head of Materials AI leads the team and portfolio at the center of that transformation.This is not a greenfield role. You will inherit a deployed portfolio of AI products with real users, a multidisciplinary team of scientists and engineers already in motion, and a committed strategic investment behind you. The mandate is to scale what works, sharpen what doesn't, and define the operating model for AI-amplified R&D before the industry converges around one.Strategic Scope & ImpactMulti-year transformation portfolio spanning AI co-scientists, Bayesian optimization, ML-based simulation, lab digitization, and ELN infrastructure across all global R&D sitesAnnual program budget from the technology leadership board and multi-year investment commitmentDirect influence on how R&D scientists design experiments, capture data, and analyze results closing the gap between AI capability and daily research practiceExternal representation of EMD Electronics' AI leadership e.g. at conferences etc.Key ResponsibilitiesStrategy & PortfolioDefine and execute the Materials AI roadmap across the Connected Amplified System-Ready R&D phasesOwn and prioritize a portfolio of concurrent AI and digital programs; manage budget, vendors, and delivery milestonesPresent strategy and progress to the Technology Leadership Board and Electronics CTOTeam LeadershipLead and develop a multidisciplinary team (AI engineers, computational scientists, product managers, data governance) across Germany, the US, and AsiaFoster cross-functional collaboration across CTO, R&D sites, DD&IT, and business functions globallyTechnical & Operational Delivery Architect and scale a deployed multi-agent AI co-scientist platform into the primary R&D workflow toolExtend modeling and ML interatomic potential (MLIP) simulation capabilities to new material systems and R&D use casesComplete global lab digitization: 100+ instruments connected to ELN, 1.7M historical experiments migratedStakeholder ManagementBuild and maintain relationships with Electronics CTO, Technology Leadership Board, R&D site leads, and external vendors and partnersRepresent EMD Electronics' AI capabilities externally through conferences, partnerships, and customer engagementsWho You AreMinimum Qualifications:Advanced degree (PhD or equivalent) in computer science, data science, chemistry, materials science, or a related field or equivalent experience10 + years leading technical teams and large-scale digital transformation programs, including exposure to R&D or science-driven organizationsHands-on experience with AI/ML — LLMs, Bayesian optimization, or data-driven modeling — in a real deployment contextTrack record delivering digital products in a complex, multi-stakeholder environment; ability to bridge data/AI strategy and operational deliveryPreferred Qualifications:Experience in new product development, scale up commercialization. Proficiency in agentic AI architectures, large language model-based systems, and modern data infrastructureProven ability to drive technological adoption, not just building tools, but embedding them in how people workExperience leading international and multi-site teams of scientists and engineers across disciplinesUnderstanding of scaled agile frameworks for managing concurrent digital programsFamiliarity with research and development workflows and scientific data, including wet lab, simulation, or instrumentation contextsBackground in semiconductor or specialty chemicals research and development is an advantageExecutive communication and presence; comfortable presenting to senior leadership and external audiencesLocation:  San Jose, United States; Germany; Taiwan; Korea; JapanBase Pay Range for this position – $227,300-$340,900 The offer range represents the anticipated low and high end of the base pay compensation for this position. The actual compensation offered will be determined by factors such as location, level of experience, education, skills, and other job-related factors. Position may be eligible for sales or performance-based bonuses. Benefits offered by the Company include health insurance, paid time off (PTO), retirement contributions, and other perquisites. For more information click here: The Company is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. No employee or applicant for employment will be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, gender identity, transgender status, marital status, or any other classification protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.  This policy of Equal Employment Opportunity applies to all policies and programs relating to recruitment and hiring, promotion, compensation, benefits, discipline, termination, and all other terms and conditions of employment. Any applicant or employee who believes they have been discriminated against by the Company or anyone acting on behalf of the Company must report any concerns to their Human Resources Business Partner, Legal, or Compliance immediately. The Company will not retaliate against any individual because they made a good faith report of discrimination.