Senior Statistical Programmer – CDISC Lead

PharmaLex; Lisboa; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Cencora is seeking a Senior Statistical Programmer (CDISC focus) to lead CDISC data standards and programming efforts across internal and external teams. The role emphasizes SDTM/ADaM, regulatory submission readiness, and governance of CDISC datasets using SAS and R.

The position requires substantial experience with regulatory components (Define.xml, SDRG, ADRG) and an ability to manage multiple study data activities while driving automation and training across the programming ecosystem.

Qualifications

• Master's or Bachelor with extensive CDISC regulatory exposure.
• Hands-on regulatory submission work with eCTD favored.
• Experience developing SDTM/ADaM datasets from raw data.

Responsibilities

• Lead CDISC dataset specs, SDTM/ADaM and governance.
• QC CDISC datasets, TFLs, and submission-ready outputs.
• Prepare Define.xml, SDRG, ADRG for regulatory filings.
• Perform SAS/R programming ensuring CDISC compliance.
• Drive process improvements and internal CDISC training.

Skills

CDISC-compliant programming

SAS

R

SDTM/ADaM

regulatory submissions

project management

Define.xml/SDRG/ADRG

Education

Master's in Statistics/Biostatistics/Data Science

6+ years clinical statistical programming

Tools

SAS

R

Job description

Job Details

Job Title: Senior Statistical Programmer (CDISC focus)

Location: Spain, Portugal or Poland

Job Type: Full-Time

Company Overview

Cencora is a leading organization in the pharmaceutical/biotechnology industry, dedicated to advancing healthcare through innovative research and development. With expertise spanning supply chain innovation, clinical trial support, and strategic consulting, we are committed to improving patient outcomes and are looking for a talented Senior Statistical Programmer to join our dynamic team.

Job Summary

We are seeking a highly skilled Senior Statistical Programmer with extensive experience in CDISC-compliant statistical programming. The Statistical Programmer will act as a subject matter expert (SME) in CDISC data standards and a project manager responsible for coordinating the preparation, execution, reporting and documentation of statistical programming activities internally and externally. This role requires deep expertise in CDISC-compliant programming, thorough understanding of regulatory submission requirements of data packages, and the ability to act as programming project lead across internal and external teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and contribute to the development, review, and documentation of CDISC-compliant dataset specifications and data sets, with primary focus on SDTM and ADaM; serve as an SME for CDISC standards governance.
• Perform quality control (QC) of CDISC dataset specifications, derived datasets, and standard or custom tables, figures, and listings (TFLs) to ensure quality and compliance with CDISC standards and regulatory guidelines.
• Generate or review TFLs for clinical study reports and regulatory submissions.
• Perform statistical programming using SAS and R, ensuring compliance with CDISC standards.
• Prepare submission-ready regulatory documentation including Define.xml, Study Data Reviewer’s Guide (SDRG), Analysis Data Reviewer’s Guide (ADRG), and other documentation as required (e.g., ISS/ISE), in alignment with regulatory authority expectations (e.g., FDA, EMA).
• Contribute to process optimization (e.g., SAS macro libraries, code or documentation templates, standard operating procedures (SOPs)), development of a modern programming ecosystem (e.g., R adoption, automation, AI integration), and internal training development and delivery to build a consistent, scalable internal CDISC programming infrastructure.
• Provide technical support to other team members to ensure that they have the required knowledge to fulfil their duties.
• Work collaboratively with statisticians and/or Data Management function to resolve all data issues arising and to document outcomes.
• Perform any other related activities assigned by the supervisor and participate in task forces/initiatives.
• Validating/debugging the codes written by other team members.
• Maintain quality and timeliness of project work.

Qualifications & Experience

• Master's degree in Statistics, Biostatistics, Data Science, or a related quantitative field with 6+ years of experience; or Bachelor’s degree in the same fields with 8+ years of experience, in clinical statistical programming within the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or CRO industry, with demonstrable hands‑on regulatory submission work
• Expert‑level proficiency in CDISC-compliant statistical programming in SAS, including development of SDTM and ADaM datasets from raw clinical data, with a strong understanding of CDISC Implementation Guides (SDTMIG, ADaMIG).
• Proven experience supporting regulatory submissions (eCTD), including preparation of SDTM/ADaM datasets, Define.xml, SDRG, ADRG, TFLs, and submission documentation aligned with FDA and EMA expectations. experience authoring or contributing to a Study Data Standardization Plan (SDSP) is preferred and a plus.
• Proven experience in the creation of macro libraries, format catalogs, enhanced visual output displays, training presentations, SOPs, and other documentation.
• Excellent organizational, project management, and written and verbal communication skills are required. Ability to work well with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders and build strong partnerships inside and outside the organization.
• Comfortable working across multiple phases of clinical development and able to shift gears quickly. Must be open to change and the unknown with a creative and resourceful nature; a self‑starter, proactive and results‑oriented with high performance standards.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines in a fast‑paced environment.
• Advanced SAS programming skills are required; proficiency or active development in R is strongly preferred.
• Strong understanding of clinical trial design, data analysis, and regulatory requirements.
• Excellent problem‑solving skills and attention to detail.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to guide diverse groups of people through complex processes in a team environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with SDSP, SDRG, or ADRG as primary author beyond execution‑level contribution is a strong plus.
• Experience with cross‑study data integration (e.g., in ISS/ISE) is a strong plus.
• Experience with Standard for Exchange of Nonclinical Data (SEND) is a plus.
• Experience of working with international teams remotely is a plus.
• Experience in management, Agile/scrum-type experience is a plus.
• Statistical background or knowledge is a plus

What Cencora offers

Benefit offerings outside the US may vary by country and will be aligned to local market practice. The eligibility and effective date may differ for some benefits and for team members covered under collective bargaining agreements.

Full time

Affiliated Companies

Affiliated Companies: PharmaLex Belgium SA

Equal Employment Opportunity

Cencora is committed to providing equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, age, disability, veteran status or membership in any other class protected by federal, state or local law.

The company’s continued success depends on the full and effective utilization of qualified individuals. Therefore, harassment is prohibited and all matters related to recruiting, training, compensation, benefits, promotions and transfers comply with equal opportunity principles and are non‑discriminatory.

Cencora is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities during the employment process which are consistent with legal requirements. If you wish to request an accommodation while seeking employment, please call 888.692.2272 or email [e-mail]. We will make accommodation determinations on a request‑by‑request basis. Messages and emails regarding anything other than accommodations requests will not be returned