Associate Director R&D AI Solutions & Analytics

Acadia Pharmaceuticals; San Diego (CA); Hybrid; USD 156,000 - 195,600; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) Plan with company match

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

15+ vacation days

Paid parental leave benefit

Job summary

Acadia Pharmaceuticals is seeking an Associate Director, R&D AI Solutions & Analytics to lead the scaling of AI-driven analytics products. This role focuses on enhancing decision-making and optimizing development operations through AI capabilities.

The ideal candidate will have over 8 years of experience in analytics and AI solutions, along with a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field. Benefits include competitive salary, medical and retirement plans, and more.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in analytics, AI solutions, or digital innovation within pharmaceutical, biotech, or healthcare.
• Hands-on experience developing AI-driven data products and analytics solutions.
• Experience in regulated R&D environments including clinical development.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and scaling of AI-enabled analytics products.
• Drive adoption of R&D analytics through stakeholder engagement.
• Collaborate with Digital/IT organizations for deployment of AI solutions.

Skills

Analytics

AI Solutions

Digital Innovation

Stakeholder Engagement

Project Management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Data Science, Computer Science, Engineering, Life Sciences, Business Analytics

Tools

AI-driven data products

Operational Dashboards

Regulatory Compliance Knowledge

Job description

Position Summary

The Associate Director, R&D AI Solutions & Analytics will lead the design, implementation, scaling, and adoption of AI‑enabled analytics and digital innovation across Research & Development. The role focuses on delivering scalable analytics products, intelligent workflows, and AI‑driven solutions that enhance decision‑making, optimize clinical development operations, and deepen portfolio insights.

Location & Work Model

The position may be based in San Diego, CA; San Francisco, CA; or Princeton, NJ. The hybrid model requires the role to work in the office three days per week on average.

Primary Responsibilities

• Drive build and adoption of R&D analytics and AI solutions through stakeholder engagement, user feedback, and performance measurement.
• Support development of a high‑performing innovative culture focused on experimentation, agility, collaboration, and measurable impact.
• Promote scalable and reusable approaches to R&D analytics delivery, AI enablement, and operational intelligence.
• Provide mentorship and technical guidance to junior team members, contractors, and project contributors.
• Lead rapid prototyping, proof‑of‑concept development, and innovation initiatives aligned with enterprise R&D priorities.
• Collaborate with Digital/IT organizations and external vendors to support deployment and integration of enterprise AI and analytics solutions.
• Support implementation and scaling of AI‑powered use cases including clinical operations copilots, enrollment analytics, workflow automation, and decision‑support tools.
• Partner with R&D stakeholders to identify, prioritize, and execute high‑value analytics and AI use cases aligned with business objectives.
• Drive development and operationalization of scalable dashboards, operational metrics, and intelligent analytics products to improve clinical and operational performance.
• Lead the design and scaling of insights through analytics and AI‑enabled solutions supporting Clinical Development, Clinical Operations, Portfolio Strategy, and broader R&D functions.
• Other responsibilities as assigned.

Required Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Data Science, Computer Science, Engineering, Life Sciences, Business Analytics, or a related field.
• 8+ years of experience in analytics, AI solutions, or digital innovation within pharmaceutical, biotech, or healthcare environments.
• Hands‑on experience developing AI‑driven data products, analytics solutions, and operational dashboards.
• Experience working within regulated R&D environments including clinical development, safety, or regulatory.
• Knowledge of industry data standards such as CDISC and FHIR.
• Experience partnering with Digital/IT teams and external vendors to implement enterprise analytics and AI solutions.
• Ability to manage multiple concurrent initiatives and deliver scalable analytics products aligned to business priorities.
• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally.

Physical Requirements

This role involves regular standing, walking, sitting, and the use of hands for handling or operating equipment. The employee may also need to reach, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, and maintain visual, verbal, and auditory communication in a standard office environment and while working independently from remote locations. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds. This position requires the ability to travel independently overnight and/or work after hours as required by travel schedules or business needs.

Compensation and Benefits

Salary Range: $156,000—$195,600 USD

• Competitive base, bonus, new hire and ongoing equity packages
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Employer‑paid life, disability, business travel and EAP coverage
• 401(k) Plan with a fully vested company match 1:1 up to 5%
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan with a 2‑year purchase price lock‑in
• 15+ vacation days
• 13–15 paid holidays, including office closure between December 24th and January 1st
• 10 days of paid sick time
• Paid parental leave benefit
• Tuition assistance

EEO Statement

We are committed to building a diverse, equitable, inclusive, and innovative company, and we are looking for the best candidate for the job. That candidate may come from a less traditional background or may meet the qualifications in a different way. We strongly encourage you to apply, especially if the reason you are the best candidate isn’t exactly what we describe here.

It is the policy of Acadia to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and employment applicants without regard to considerations of race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, and other protected categories under applicable law.