Project Lead Statistician (Belgium)

UCB; Anderlecht; Hybrid; EUR 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

UCB is seeking a strategic Project Lead Statistician to head the Early Development Statistics team across Brussels, Monheim or Slough. You will shape study design, analytics and decision-making, guiding portfolio strategies and data integration for informed progression decisions.

You will influence global statistical leadership, collaborate with Development and Regulatory leads, and drive innovation while managing a diverse team and external partners in a hybrid work model.

Qualifications

• PhD in Biostatistics or Statistics with 10+ years in pharma.
• Management of global teams; experience designing, analyzing and reporting clinical trials across all phases.
• Experience with regulatory submissions and meetings is desirable.
• Proficiency in SAS or R and CDISC SDTM/ADaM standards; PK/PD knowledge.
• Strong ability to explain statistics to non-experts in English.

Responsibilities

• Set statistics team's strategy and be accountable for all deliverables.
• Guide overall strategy for compounds with Development and Regulatory leads.
• Share input on quantitative innovation, analytics and program design.
• Transform the statistics operating model and implement the UCB Data Strategy.
• Manage people, set objectives, mentor and foster learning.
• Plan resources, budgets and travel with fellow Project Lead Statisticians.

Skills

SAS or R proficiency

Global team management

Clinical trials design and analysis

Regulatory submissions experience

Communicating complex statistics

English language proficiency

Education

PhD in Biostatistics or Statistics

Master's degree with 12+ years pharma experience

Tools

CDISC SDTM/ADaM standards

Sample size / simulation software

PK/PD knowledge

Job description

We are looking for a strategic, collaborative and influential Project Lead Statistician to join us in our Early Development Statistics team, based in any of our Brussels (Belgium), Monheim (Germany) or Slough (UK) offices.

About The Role

As Project Lead Statistician, you will set the strategic direction for a statistics team. This could be for a therapeutic area, a complex compound with several indications, or a specialist area such as safety, launch or pre-clinical. You will be a key member of the Development Team for one or more compounds, contributing to shaping early development strategy through innovative study design, quantitative decision-making and integration of emerging clinical, biomarker, PK/PD and other data to inform progression decisions.

Who You Will Work With

You will join Biometrics and Data Science (BDS) as part of our Early Development Statistics team, working closely with Development and Regulatory leads, fellow Project Lead Statisticians and peers across BDS. You will share strategic input with senior management teams and executives. You may manage internal or external team members, including other managers, and you will help build a culture of continuous learning, empowerment and shared ownership.

What You Will Do

• You will set your statistics team's strategy and be accountable for all its deliverables to the wider project team.
• You will work closely with Development and Regulatory leads to guide and influence the overall strategy for your compounds.
• You will share strategic input with senior management on quantitative innovation, analytics, program design and digital transformation.
• You will help transform the statistics operating model and put the UCB Data Strategy into practice together with peers across BDS.
• You will be responsible for managing people, setting objectives, guiding careers and encouraging mentoring and continuous learning.
• You will represent UCB internally and externally and plan resources, budgets and travel with fellow Project Lead Statisticians.

Interested? For this role, we are looking for the following education, experience, and skills:

• PhD (preferred) in Biostatistics, Statistics or equivalent with 10+ years in the pharmaceutical industry; a Master's with 12+ years' experience is also considered.
• Several years in a management position of global teams. Extensive experience designing, analyzing and reporting clinical trials, with strong knowledge of drug development across all phases; multiple therapeutic areas preferred.
• Experience applying innovative statistical approaches, simulation and quantitative decision-making to support development decisions under uncertainty.
• Experience supporting or managing submissions to global health authorities (e.g., FDA, EMA, PMDA) and taking part in regulatory meetings is desired.
• Proficiency in SAS or R and sample size/simulation software, with experience with CDISC SDTM/ADaM standards and pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics desired.
• Proven ability to influence, navigate ambiguity and explain complex statistical ideas clearly to non-experts and senior management, with excellent written and spoken English.

Are you ready to ‘go beyond’ to create value and make your mark for patients? If this sounds like you, then we would love to hear from you!

About Us

UCB is a global biopharmaceutical company, focusing on neurology and immunology. We are over 9.000 people in all four corners of the globe, inspired by patients and driven by science.

Why work with us?

At UCB, we don’t just complete tasks, we create value. We aren’t afraid to push forward, collaborate, and innovate to make our mark for patients. We have a caring, supportive culture where everyone feels included, respected, and has equal opportunities to do their best work. We ‘go beyond’ to create value for our patients, and always with a human focus, whether that’s on our patients, our employees, or our planet. Working for us, you will discover a place where you can grow, and have the freedom to carve your own career path to achieve your full potential.

At UCB, we’ve embraced a hybrid-first approach to work, bringing teams together in local hubs to foster collaborative curiosity. Unless expressly stated in the description or precluded by the nature of the position, roles are hybrid with 40% of your time spent in the office.

UCB is an equal opportunity employer. All employment decisions will be made without regard to any characteristic protected by applicable laws.

Should you require any adjustments to our process to assist you in demonstrating your strengths and capabilities contact us on [e-mail]. Please note should your enquiry not relate to adjustments; we will not be able to support you through this channel.