Artificial Intelligence (AI) Ethics and Governance Senior Specialist

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 varied and dynamic global AI Ethics and Governance team developing 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:

• →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 responsible AI.
• →Implement AI safety testing and explainable AI. Test and audit data sets, models and AI solutions for bias, fairness, and explainability using open-source and enterprise tools.
• →Develop and implement policy processes and technical controls. 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.

• 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 varied and cross-functional team; Has good communication and interpersonal skills and enjoys sharing knowledge and coaching others.

• Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in any Field.
• 6+ years relevant working experience
• Qualifications in analytical and technology disciplines, such as Engineering, Sciences, Mathematics, Computer Science or in Law, Philosophy or Psychology are encouraged to apply. Candidates are evaluated on a case-by case basis. Candidates with relevant experience are encouraged to apply.
• 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 technical 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 varied fields.
• Ability to communicate and express technical viewpoints to senior stakeholders with succinctness and clarity

• Hands-on code development experience in Generative AI, agentic systems, machine learning and data science (Python, generative models / LLMs, synthetic data generation)
• Knowledge of technical AI safety testing and XAI
• 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

Imagine getting up in the morning for a job as important as helping to save and improve lives around the world. Here, you have that opportunity. You can put your empathy, creativity, digital mastery, or scientific genius to work in collaboration with a varied group of colleagues who pursue and bring hope to countless people who are battling some of the most challenging diseases of our time. Our team is constantly evolving, so if you are among the intellectually curious, join us—and start making your impact today.

We are proud to be a company that embraces the value of bringing varied, talented, and committed people together. The fastest way to breakthrough innovation is when varied ideas come together in an inclusive environment. We encourage our colleagues to respectfully challenge one another’s thinking and approach problems collectively. We are an equal opportunity employer, committed to fostering an inclusive and varied workplace.

Current Employees apply HERE

Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

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:

EEOC Know Your Rights

EEOC GINA Supplement​

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

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.