Remote Pharmaceutical Data Scientist - Real World Evidence

Placements24; Pretoria; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Fully remote work

Competitive salary

Health insurance

Generous leave

Retirement plan

Professional development

Conference travel

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Remote Pharmaceutical Data Scientist to join a growing Real World Evidence team. You will work on real-world data across South Africa, applying ML and statistical methods to inform drug development, market access, and patient outcomes.

You will collaborate with epidemiologists, clinicians, and market access professionals, transforming complex data into actionable insights while ensuring data privacy and ethical standards in a fully remote setting.

Qualifications

• Master's or PhD in a quantitative field with strong healthcare relevance.
• 3+ years in data science or epidemiology, focusing on healthcare data.
• Proficiency in Python or R and common data science libraries.
• Strong SQL skills and experience with large relational databases.
• Experience applying ML, statistical modeling, and causal inference.
• Excellent communication to explain findings to non-technical stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Design and run analytical studies using real-world data to generate RWE.
• Develop advanced statistical methods and predictive models for RWD.
• Collaborate with epidemiologists, statisticians, clinicians, and market access teams.
• Clean and transform large datasets; ensure data quality and integrity.
• Visualize findings via reports, dashboards, and presentations for diverse audiences.
• Contribute to RWE strategies for regulatory submissions and HTA processes.
• Stay updated on data science trends and healthcare analytics developments.
• Identify opportunities to leverage RWD/RWE to address business challenges.
• Ensure analyses comply with POPIA and ethical guidelines.
• Participate in conferences and publications as appropriate.

Skills

Python

R

SQL

Statistical modeling

Machine learning

Data visualization

Communication skills

Remote work

Education

Master's or PhD in data science or related field

Tools

Pandas

Scikit-learn

TensorFlow

Tableau

Power BI

Matplotlib

Seaborn

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a global leader in pharmaceutical innovation, is seeking a highly skilled and motivated Remote Pharmaceutical Data Scientist to join their expanding Real World Evidence (RWE) team. This position is a fully remote role, offering flexibility to candidates across South Africa. You will be at the forefront of leveraging large-scale real-world datasets (e.g., electronic health records, claims data, patient registries) to generate insights that inform drug development, market access, and patient outcomes. This role requires a sophisticated understanding of statistical modeling, machine learning, and data visualization techniques applied to healthcare data. The ideal candidate will be passionate about using data to drive meaningful advancements in healthcare and possess strong analytical and communication skills to effectively translate complex findings into actionable strategies for diverse stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and execute analytical studies using real-world data (RWD) to generate robust Real World Evidence (RWE).


• Develop and apply advanced statistical methods, machine learning algorithms, and predictive models to RWD.


• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including epidemiologists, statisticians, clinicians, and market access professionals, to define research questions and project objectives.


• Clean, transform, and prepare large, complex datasets for analysis, ensuring data quality and integrity.


• Visualize and communicate complex analytical findings through compelling reports, dashboards, and presentations to both technical and non-technical audiences.


• Contribute to the development of RWE strategies and methodologies to support regulatory submissions, health technology assessments, and product lifecycle management.


• Stay abreast of the latest advancements in data science, machine learning, RWE generation, and healthcare data analytics.


• Identify opportunities to leverage RWD and RWE to address critical business and clinical challenges.


• Ensure all analyses comply with data privacy regulations (e.g., POPIA) and ethical guidelines.


• Participate in scientific conferences and contribute to publications in peer-reviewed journals.

Requirements

• Master's degree or Ph.D. in Data Science, Statistics, Biostatistics, Epidemiology, Computer Science, or a related quantitative field.


• 3+ years of experience in data science, statistical analysis, or epidemiology, with a significant focus on healthcare or pharmaceutical data.


• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python or R, and experience with relevant data science libraries (e.g., Pandas, Scikit-learn, TensorFlow).


• Strong experience with SQL and working with large relational databases.


• Demonstrated expertise in statistical modeling, machine learning techniques (e.g., regression, classification, clustering, deep learning), and causal inference methods.


• Experience with real-world data sources (e.g., EHR, claims, registries) is highly desirable.


• Excellent data visualization skills (e.g., Tableau, Power BI, Matplotlib, Seaborn).


• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking abilities.


• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain complex technical concepts to diverse audiences.


• Ability to work independently and manage time effectively in a remote work environment.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and performance-based bonuses.


• Fully remote work arrangement with flexibility.


• Comprehensive health insurance package.


• Generous annual leave and paid time off.


• Retirement savings plan.


• Opportunities for professional development and attending industry conferences.


• Access to cutting-edge technology and data resources.


• Collaborative virtual team environment.


• Potential for international travel for key meetings.