Director Biostatistics

Treeline; Watertown (MA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

Treeline is seeking a Director of Biostatistics to lead the statistical strategy, design, and trial-level execution for early-phase oncology trials (Phase I/II). The role oversees SAPs, complex modeling, and real-time data analyses to support PoC development and IND submissions.

The ideal candidate will have a PhD or MS with extensive biotech/pharma experience, expert skills in R and SAS, and a proven ability to communicate complex results to leadership and study teams.

Qualifications

• PhD in Biostatistics or Statistics with 6+ biotech/pharma years OR MS with 8+ biotech/pharma years.
• Minimum 3 years hands-on design, modeling and analysis of early-phase oncology trials (Phase I/II).
• Proven track record from protocol design to CSR for oncology trials.

Responsibilities

• Lead statistical design and execution of oncology trial protocols, including sample size, randomization, and adaptive design simulations.
• Implement dose-finding methods such as BOIN and cohort expansion models.
• Program, validate, and perform analyses for trial data cuts, Safety Review Committees, and Dose Escalation Meetings.
• Author SAPs, design tables/listings/figures, and write statistical sections of CSRs.
• Design data visualizations and dashboards (e.g., R/Shiny) to track dose escalation, safety signals, and biomarker trends.
• Translate statistical outputs into high-impact visual decks for executives and boards.
• Provide technical oversight to CRO programmers/biostatisticians for trial deliverables.
• Prepare data packages and statistical rationales for IND submissions and regulatory filings.

Skills

R

SAS

Shiny

Communication

Education

PhD in Biostatistics/Statistics

MS in Biostatistics/Statistics

Tools

R

SAS

Shiny

Job description

The Director of Biostatistics will lead the statistical strategy, design, and trial-level execution for early-phase oncology clinical trials (Phase I/II). This is a high-impact, trial-focused role responsible for authoring statistical analysis plans, executing complex statistical models, and directly analyzing data for novel cancer therapies. The Director ensures that early-development trials—from First-in-Human (FIH) dose escalation to Proof-of-Concept (PoC)) are designed and analyzed with the highest level of scientific rigor.

Responsibilities

Trial Design & Execution

• Trial Architecture: Lead the statistical design and execution of individual oncology protocols, including sample size calculations, randomization schemes, and adaptive design simulations.
• Statistical Modeling: Implement and execute trial-level dose-finding methodologies, such as Bayesian Optimal Interval (BOIN), and cohort expansion models.
• Analysis & Programming: Program, validate, and perform statistical analyses for trial data cuts, Safety Review Committees, and Dose Escalation Meetings.
• SAPs & Output: Author trial-specific Statistical Analysis Plans, design shell tables, listings, and figures (TLFs), and write statistical sections of Clinical Study Reports (CSRs).
• Visual Reporting: Design and build dynamic data visualizations, dashboards, and interactive graphics (e.g., using R/Shiny) to track real-time dose escalation, safety signals, and biomarker trends.
• Translate complex statistical outputs and trial models into intuitive, high-impact visual decks for executive leadership, investors, and scientific advisory boards.
• CRO Management: Provide direct technical oversight to CRO programmers and biostatisticians, verifying all trial-level deliverables for quality and accuracy.
• Regulatory Submissions: Prepare data packages and statistical rationales for Investigational New Drug (IND) submissions and expedited regulatory filings.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Study Teams: Serve as the core biostatistician on clinical trial working groups, collaborating daily with Clinical Leads, Data Managers, and Biomarker scientists.
• Data Integration: Blend pharmacokinetic (PK/PD) and translational biomarker data into trial-level exploratory analyses to identify early safety or efficacy signals.

Qualifications & Skills

Education & Experience

• Ph.D. in Biostatistics or Statistics with 6+ years of biotech/pharma experience, OR
• M.S. in Biostatistics or Statistics with 8+ years of biotech/pharma experience.
• Minimum of 3 years of hands-on experience designing, modeling, and analyzing early-phase oncology trials (Phase I/II).
• Proven track record of taking individual oncology trials from protocol design through final CSR.

Technical & Soft Skills

• Advanced, hands-on programming expertise in R and SAS (specifically for trial simulations, complex oncology datasets, and visualization packages like Shiny).
• Expert knowledge of early oncology endpoints (e.g., DLT, PFS, ORR, RECIST 1.1, Lugano criteria).
• Comfort working in a fast-paced environment with a high volume of early-stage data iterations.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, with a proven ability to influence matrixed teams and explain statistical concepts simply.