Lead Pharmaceutical Data Scientist - Clinical Trials Analytics

Placements24; Bloemfontein; Hybrid; ZAR 2,030,000 - 3,046,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private health insurance

Technology stipend

Remote work flexibility

Performance bonuses

Job summary

Placements24 is hiring a Lead Pharmaceutical Data Scientist to drive advanced analytics on clinical trial data, guiding a remote team of data scientists. You will develop models, optimize drug development strategies, and collaborate across clinical operations, biostatistics, and regulatory affairs to shape evidence-based decisions.

The role requires strong statistical and ML expertise, deep pharma domain knowledge, and excellent communication to lead projects virtually from a home office.

Qualifications

• PhD or Master's degree in Data Science, Statistics, Computer Science, Bioinformatics, or a related quantitative field.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in data science, with at least 3 years focused on pharmaceutical or clinical trial data analysis.
• Proven expertise in statistical modeling, machine learning (e.g., regression, classification, clustering, deep learning), and experimental design.
• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python or R, and experience with relevant libraries (e.g., scikit-learn, TensorFlow, PyTorch, pandas).
• Experience with SQL and NoSQL databases, and data manipulation techniques.
• Strong understanding of clinical trial phases, endpoints, and regulatory requirements (e.g., FDA, EMA).
• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to explain complex technical concepts to non-technical audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to lead projects and mentor team members in a remote setting.
• Experience with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) is a plus.
• A stable internet connection and a dedicated, professional home office environment are mandatory.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and implementation of advanced statistical models and machine learning algorithms for clinical trial data analysis.
• Extract, clean, and transform large, complex datasets from clinical trials for analysis.
• Identify trends, patterns, and key insights within clinical trial data to inform trial design, patient stratification, and outcome prediction.
• Develop predictive models for patient recruitment, dropout rates, and treatment efficacy.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define analytical requirements and deliver impactful data-driven solutions.
• Design and conduct exploratory data analyses to uncover novel hypotheses and research opportunities.
• Develop and maintain data visualization tools and dashboards to communicate findings to diverse stakeholders.
• Mentor and guide junior data scientists, fostering a high-performance and collaborative team environment.
• Stay abreast of the latest advancements in data science, machine learning, and pharmaceutical analytics.

Skills

Statistical modeling

Machine learning

Experimental design

Remote leadership

Data analysis

Presentation

Communication

Education

PhD or Master’s in Data Science/Statistics/CS/Bioinformatics

Tools

Python

R

scikit-learn

TensorFlow

PyTorch

pandas

SQL

NoSQL

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a cutting-edge biopharmaceutical company, is looking for an exceptional Lead Pharmaceutical Data Scientist to join their innovative team remotely. This position is crucial for leveraging complex datasets to extract actionable insights from clinical trials, driving evidence-based decision-making and optimizing drug development strategies. You will lead a team of data scientists and collaborate closely with clinical operations, biostatistics, and regulatory affairs departments to advance the company's research objectives. The role requires a strong blend of statistical expertise, machine learning proficiency, and deep understanding of the pharmaceutical drug development lifecycle. As a remote-first position, you will need to demonstrate exceptional communication and collaboration skills, ensuring seamless interaction with colleagues across different locations and time zones. This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of pharmaceutical research through data-driven innovation, working from the convenience of your home office.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development and implementation of advanced statistical models and machine learning algorithms for clinical trial data analysis.
• Extract, clean, and transform large, complex datasets from clinical trials for analysis.
• Identify trends, patterns, and key insights within clinical trial data to inform trial design, patient stratification, and outcome prediction.
• Develop predictive models for patient recruitment, dropout rates, and treatment efficacy.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define analytical requirements and deliver impactful data-driven solutions.
• Design and conduct exploratory data analyses to uncover novel hypotheses and research opportunities.
• Develop and maintain data visualization tools and dashboards to communicate findings to diverse stakeholders.
• Mentor and guide junior data scientists, fostering a high-performance and collaborative team environment.
• Stay abreast of the latest advancements in data science, machine learning, and pharmaceutical analytics.

Requirements

• PhD or Master's degree in Data Science, Statistics, Computer Science, Bioinformatics, or a related quantitative field.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in data science, with at least 3 years focused on pharmaceutical or clinical trial data analysis.
• Proven expertise in statistical modeling, machine learning (e.g., regression, classification, clustering, deep learning), and experimental design.
• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python or R, and experience with relevant libraries (e.g., scikit-learn, TensorFlow, PyTorch, pandas).
• Experience with SQL and NoSQL databases, and data manipulation techniques.
• Strong understanding of clinical trial phases, endpoints, and regulatory requirements (e.g., FDA, EMA).
• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to explain complex technical concepts to non-technical audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to lead projects and mentor team members in a remote setting.
• Experience with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) is a plus.
• A stable internet connection and a dedicated, professional home office environment are mandatory.

Benefits

This remote position offers a highly competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package designed for remote work. This includes private health insurance, a generous 401k matching program, annual performance bonuses, and significant opportunities for professional development, including access to online courses, conferences, and certifications. Employees benefit from the flexibility of working from home, with a provided technology stipend for equipment and connectivity. Our client fosters a collaborative and innovative culture, with regular virtual team events and a strong emphasis on work-life balance. Opportunities for advancement into leadership roles within the data science department are also available.