Executive Director, Clinical Data Science

Penfield Search Partners; United States; Remote; USD 260,000 - 360,000; Full time

Job summary

Penfield Search Partners Ltd. is seeking an Executive Director of Clinical Data Science for a fully remote role with a leading pharmaceutical company focused on CNS and Oncology.

The ED will define and lead global data science strategy across the clinical development portfolio, embedding AI/ML approaches, advanced analytics, and precision medicine to accelerate timelines and improve decision quality. Regulatory engagement is a key component of the role.

Qualifications

• PhD in Biostatistics or related advanced degree required.
• Extensive experience in late-phase clinical trials and statistics.
• At least 10 years in clinical development with data science and biostatistics.
• Proven thought leader with AI/ML or precision medicine in trials.
• Experience presenting to regulators and influencing standards.
• Leadership experience in a Clinical Trials Data Science team.
• Neurology/Alzheimer's biomarkers research preferred.

Responsibilities

• Define and lead global Clinical Data Science strategy across the development portfolio.
• Drive innovation in trial design, disease modeling, biomarker discovery, imaging analytics and precision medicine.
• Represent data science to global regulatory authorities and defend strategies.
• Influence industry standards and disseminate advanced analytics across teams.

Skills

Statistical methods in trials

10+ years in clinical development

AI/ML in clinical trials

Regulatory engagement & presentations

Clinical Trials Data Science team lead

Neurology/Alzheimer's biomarkers

Thought leadership in data science

Education

PhD in Biostatistics or MS in Biostatistics with PhD in Bioinformatics

Job description

Executive Director, Clinical Data Science Location: Fully Remote Our client is an established pharmaceutical company with a concentration in the therapeutic areas of CNS and Oncology. They are currently seeking an Executive Director, Clinical Data Science to shape and drive strategy across their global clinical development portfolio and to integrate statistical rigor with modern ML approaches.

The role will define and lead global Clinical Data Science strategy, embedding advanced analytics, AI, and machine learning across the clinical development lifecycle. The ED will be responsible for driving innovation in trial design, disease modeling, biomarker discovery, imaging analytics, and precision medicine, with the goal of accelerating development timelines and improving decision quality. Acting as the primary data science representative to global regulatory authorities, this individual will defend strategies and influence industry standards.

Please have the following skills and background:

• Ph.D. in Biostatistics OR MS in Biostatistics in combination with a PhD in Bioinformatics, or related computational sciences.
• Deep expertise in statistical methods and their application in clinical trials, especially late phase trials.
• Minimum 10 years of industry experience in clinical development, including Data Science and Biostatistics.
• Recognized thought leader in at least one Data Science discipline (e.g., AI/ML modeling, precision medicine) and experience in applying either AI, Machine Learning and/or Precision Medicine to clinical trials
• Proven experience presenting at external forums and influencing regulatory authorities.
• Strong people leadership experience in a Clinical Trials Data Science setting.
• Prior research experience in Neurology, particularly Alzheimer’s disease biomarkers (plasma, CSF, imaging), is strongly preferred.