MSD is hiring for the position of Specialist, Data Science in Pune, Maharashtra. This is a hybrid, full-time opportunity for professionals with experience in pharmaceutical analytics, strategic forecasting, data science, machine learning and commercial analytics.

The MSD Data Science Specialist role focuses on developing pharmaceutical forecasts and analytical solutions that support commercial and strategic decision-making. The selected candidate will work with cross-functional teams spanning Human Health, Supply Chain, Finance, Manufacturing, Research and regional/global demand planning.

Professionals with an Engineering, Management or Pharma postgraduate qualification and at least three years of relevant experience can consider this opportunity.

Job Overview

Key Responsibilities

As a Data Science Specialist at MSD, the selected professional will support pharmaceutical forecasting, analytics and data-driven business decision-making.

Key responsibilities include:

• Take responsibility for one or multiple therapy areas while demonstrating strong pharmaceutical domain knowledge.
• Conceptualize, develop and deliver forecasts and analytical solutions using strategic and statistical techniques.
• Select appropriate forecasting methodologies based on business context, available data, accuracy requirements and project timelines.
• Use machine learning algorithms, automation and data visualization to improve forecasting processes.
• Identify key risks, opportunities, uncertainties and business levers within pharmaceutical forecasts.
• Improve forecasting accuracy through advanced statistical methodologies.
• Drive innovation and automation to increase efficiency and robustness across forecasting processes.
• Contribute to the standardization and automation of analytical models, tools and processes.
• Collaborate with Supply Chain, Human Health, Manufacturing, Finance, Research and country, regional and global demand-planning teams.
• Build robust forecasting assumptions in partnership with business stakeholders.
• Translate complex analytical results into clear and actionable business insights.
• Create storyboards, presentations and visualizations for technical, non-technical and executive audiences.
• Manage timely delivery of forecasting projects, analytical solutions and forecasting tools.
• Create and maintain documentation according to internal standards.
• Support a culture of continuous learning, innovation, efficiency and analytical excellence.

Qualification and Experience

Candidates interested in the MSD Specialist Data Science Pune job should meet the following requirements:

Educational Qualification

Applicants should be postgraduates from relevant disciplines such as:

• Engineering
• Management
• Pharmaceutical Sciences / Pharma

The official job description specifically seeks Engineering, Management or Pharma postgraduates.

Experience Required

Candidates should have:

• 3+ years of experience in relevant professional roles.
• Around 1–2 years of experience in pharmaceutical strategic forecasting or analytics.

This position is therefore better suited to experienced candidates rather than fresh graduates.

Technical Skills Required

Candidates should have strong knowledge or working experience in:

• Data Science
• Machine Learning
• Pharmaceutical Analytics
• Strategic Forecasting
• Statistical Forecasting
• Monte Carlo Simulation
• Range Forecasting
• Python
• R
• SAS
• Data Visualization
• Data Modeling
• Business Intelligence
• Data Engineering
• Commercial Analytics
• Clinical Trial Data
• Drug Development
• Pharmaceutical Development

Applicants should be capable of developing machine learning and descriptive algorithms using Python, R, SAS or equivalent analytical technologies.

Pharmaceutical Domain Knowledge

The position requires more than technical data science expertise. Candidates should have a solid understanding of the pharmaceutical industry, including:

• Drug development
• Clinical trials
• Manufacturing
• Pharmaceutical supply chain
• Marketing and commercialization
• Regulatory requirements
• Clinical trial data
• Global and regional commercial strategies

This combination of pharmaceutical knowledge and data science skills is particularly important because the role translates business questions into forecasting and analytics solutions.

Strategic Forecasting Skills

Strategic forecasting is a major component of this MSD Data Science job.

Candidates should understand how to select forecasting approaches based on:

• Forecast context
• Data availability
• Required accuracy
• Business objectives
• Project timelines
• Risks and opportunities
• Forecast uncertainty

Working knowledge of Monte Carlo simulations and range forecasting is specifically required.

AI and Machine Learning Skills

MSD also prefers professionals who can use advanced analytics to improve traditional forecasting processes.

Experience with the following is advantageous:

• Artificial Intelligence
• Machine Learning
• NLP modeling
• Advanced statistical techniques
• Model evaluation
• Analytics automation
• Forecasting automation

Candidates who can demonstrate how AI/ML solutions generated measurable business value may have an additional advantage.

Business and Communication Skills

Along with technical expertise, applicants should possess:

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Strategic thinking
• Business acumen
• Stakeholder management
• Cross-functional collaboration
• Project management
• Decision-making ability
• Presentation skills
• Data storytelling
• Executive communication
• Ability to work with ambiguous business problems

The role requires candidates to communicate analytical findings effectively to technical teams, business stakeholders and senior executives.

Who Should Apply?

This MSD Data Science Specialist opportunity may be suitable for professionals currently working in roles such as:

• Data Scientist
• Pharmaceutical Data Scientist
• Forecasting Analyst
• Senior Forecasting Analyst
• Commercial Analytics Analyst
• Pharmaceutical Analytics Consultant
• Business Intelligence Analyst
• Healthcare Data Scientist
• Machine Learning Analyst
• Pharma Commercial Analytics Professional

Candidates with pharmaceutical industry exposure and hands-on experience in forecasting, Python/R/SAS, statistical modeling or machine learning should review the complete requirements before applying.

Benefits of This Opportunity

The official posting does not provide a detailed benefits package. However, the role offers professional exposure to several high-value areas, including:

• Pharmaceutical data science and advanced analytics
• Strategic forecasting
• Machine learning and automation
• Commercial decision-making
• Cross-functional global stakeholder collaboration
• Pharmaceutical business strategy
• Statistical modeling and forecasting innovation
• Hybrid working arrangement

Specific compensation, insurance, leave, incentives and other employee benefits should be confirmed directly with MSD during the recruitment process.

Salary

MSD has not disclosed the salary for this position in the provided job advertisement.

For structured-data and informational purposes, an estimated market range for an experienced Data Science/Pharmaceutical Analytics role in Pune may be approximately ₹12,00,000–₹24,00,000 per year.

Important: This is an independent market estimate and is not an officially disclosed MSD salary range. Actual compensation can vary significantly based on experience, current compensation, skills, internal job level and the company’s compensation policies.

How to Apply

Application Link