Lead Data Scientist — Virtual Pharmacology Models

QIMA; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

QIMA is launching a new Life Sciences programme to develop virtual pharmacology models. We seek a Lead Data Scientist to own the initiative, assess datasets, build proof‑of‑concept models, and prepare solutions for internal and client use.

You will work with scientists, IT and AI experts across Europe, with potential travel to labs in France, Northern Ireland and Germany. The role is hands-on and requires a PhD, 8–10 years of data science experience, and a proven ML track record on complex

Qualifications

• PhD in data science, biostatistics, bioinformatics, machine learning or related field.
• 8-10 years of experience in data science, biostatistics and machine learning.
• Proven track record delivering complex ML projects using biological datasets.
• Strong experience building data pipelines, assessing data quality, and defining data needs.
• Experience working with scientists and translating scientific questions into modelling approaches.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to explain complex concepts to non-specialists.
• Ideally experience presenting work to clients, partners or external stakeholders.
• Entrepreneurial, hands-on approach and ability to work independently on new projects.

Responsibilities

• Review and assess proposals from QIMA's Business Units.
• Examine underlying data in detail for quality, structure, depth and breadth.
• Recommend one or two models with strongest potential for development.
• Build and manage required data pipelines.
• Clean, structure, integrate and analyse complex biological datasets.
• Develop ML models and proof of concepts.
• Identify data gaps and plan additional experiments with scientists.
• Establish validation criteria and prepare models for independent validation.
• Improve models through testing and iteration.
• Ensure code, data and models are reproducible and documented.
• Present results to scientific, technical, commercial and non-specialist audiences.
• Support preparation of a model for potential commercialisation (SaaS or services).
• Contribute to IP documentation and protection.

Skills

Python

R

Machine learning

Data analytics

Education

PhD in data science / biostatistics / bioinformatics

Tools

Snowflake

MLOps

Job description

QIMA is launching a new Life Sciences programme to develop virtual pharmacology models. We seek a Lead Data Scientist to own the initiative, assess datasets, build proof‑of‑concept models, and prepare solutions for internal and client use.

You will work with scientists, IT and AI experts across Europe, with potential travel to labs in France, Northern Ireland and Germany. The role is hands-on and requires a PhD, 8–10 years of data science experience, and a proven ML track record on complex