Associate Director Real World Data Science

Astellas Pharma Inc.; United Kingdom; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A global pharmaceutical company is seeking an Associate Director of Real World Data Science located in the UK. You will lead the design and execution of observational studies, contributing to data-driven insights that inform drug development and market strategies. Candidates must have extensive pharmaceutical experience, proficiency in SQL and statistical analysis, and a strong commitment to patient-centric practices. This is a full-time, hybrid role requiring occasional office presence.

Benefits

Hybrid working model

Commitment to patient-centric culture

Equal opportunity employer

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in the pharmaceutical industry, focusing on observational studies and RWD analysis.
• Proficiency in SQL and SAS or R required; knowledge of Python beneficial.
• Strong communication skills and ability to work in cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Provide data science support for drug development and marketed products.
• Design and execute observational studies using in-house RWD.
• Mentor junior members of the RWD Analytics team.

Skills

Data visualization

Statistical analysis

Machine learning methodologies

SQL

SAS

Education

Doctorate or master's degree in statistics, data science, pharmacoepidemiology

Tools

Python

EHR databases

Job description

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Associate Director Real World Data Science

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Client:

Location:

United Kingdom

Job Category:

Other

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EU work permit required:

Yes

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Job Reference:

92972b078453

Job Views:

21

Posted:

12.08.2025

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Job Description:

Description Associate Director, Real-World Data ScienceAbout Astellas: At Astellas we are a progressive health partner, delivering value and outcomes where needed. We pursue innovative science, focussing initially on the areas of greatest potential and then developing solutions where patient need is high, often in rare or under-served disease areas and in life-threatening or life-limiting diseases and conditions. We work directly with patients, doctors and health care professionals on the front line to ensure patient and clinical needs are guiding our development activities at every stage. Our global vision for Patient Centricity is to support the development of innovative health solutions through a deep understanding of the patient experience. At Astellas, Patient Centricity isn’t a buzzword - it’s a guiding principle for action. We believe all staff have a role to play in creating a patient-centric culture and integrating an awareness of the patient into our everyday working practices, regardless of our role, team or division. We work closely with regulatory authorities and payers to find new ways to ensure access to new therapies. We deliver the latest insights and real-world evidence to inform the best decisions for patients and their care-givers, to ensure the medicines we develop continue to provide meaningful outcomes. Beyond medicines, we support our stakeholder communities to drive initiatives that improve awareness, education, access and ultimately standards of care. The Opportunity: As an Associate Director of RWDS, you will be an analytic researcher, informing and conducting Real-World Data (RWD) studies across various stages of the project lifecycle. You will work directly within the RWDS team to execute observational studies for internal and external use, and partner closely with colleagues in Development, Medical Affairs, and Pharmacovigilance/Pharmacoepidemiology. Additionally, you will collaborate with others in RWDS, Biostatistics, and the broader Quantitative Sciences & Evidence Generation department to enhance our RWD and analytics offerings. RWDS is a multidisciplinary team that provides strategic input on real-world evidence (RWE), study design, and statistical and programming support for projects. Team members apply their unique knowledge, skills, and experience in collaborative teams to deliver decision-shaping real-world evidence. Hybrid Working: At Astellas we recognise the importance of balancing your work and home life, so we offer a hybrid working solution allowing time to connect with colleagues in person at the office alongside the flexibility to work from home; optimising the most productive work environment for you to succeed and deliver. Key Responsibilities:

Provide best-in-class data science support to Astellas drug development programs & marketed products in relation to RWD.

Design of observational studies (primary and/or secondary data).

Execute (program and analyze) observational studies using in-house RWD or oversee vendors or other RWDS staff in executing observational studies.

Write, review, or contribute to key study documents to ensure optimal methodological & statistical presentation. These documents include, protocols, analysis plans, tables and figure (TLF) specifications, study reports, and publications.

Ensure efficient planning, execution and reporting of analyses.

Advise as a subject matter expert in specific data access partnerships.

Represent the company on matters related to RWD analysis at meetings with regulatory authorities, key opinion leaders and similar experts/bodies as needed.

Contributes to vendor selection with partner functions.

Participate in the creation and upkeep of best practices, tools/macros, and standards related to methods, data and data analysis at Astellas.

Collaborate with RWDS and Biostatistics colleagues and cross-functional teams in Development, Medical Affairs and Pharmacovigilance.

Mentor and guide junior members of the RWD Analytics team.

Essential Knowledge & Experience:

Extensive experience in the pharmaceutical industry, with hands-on experience in the design and execution of observational studies and in analyzing RWD, including major EHR and claims databases from the US, UK, EU, and/or Japan.

Experience in analyzing a diverse set of RWD study types (descriptive, association, prediction, causation), including incidence & prevalence, treatment patterns, healthcare resource utilization, cost, outcomes, and effectiveness.

Advanced and broad knowledge of statistical methods, along with a solid understanding of industry practices and guidelines related to the analysis of RWD.

Proficiency in SQL and SAS or R is required; working knowledge of Python is beneficial.

Well-versed in data visualization, statistical analysis, and machine learning methodologies.

Proficient in non-interventional research design for both primary data collection (i.e., prospective) and secondary use of data.

Committed to seeking innovative methodologies to generate data-driven insight.

Experience working across geographies with globally distributed teams..

Self-starting performer with a demonstrated capacity to operate both independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, team-oriented setting

Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with experience working in cross-functional teams.

Education:

A doctorate or master's degree in statistics, data science, pharmacoepidemiology, or equivalent.

Additional Information:

This is a permanent, full-time position.

This position is based in the United Kingdom.

This position follows our hybrid working model. Role requires a blend of home and a minimum of 1 day per quarter in our London office. Flexibility may be required in line with business needs. Candidates must be located within a commutable distance of the office.

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. #LI-London#LI-Hybrid#LI-EN1