Location: Barcelona - Spain (3 days working from the office and 2 days working from home)

Introduction

The Statistical Science Associate Director has sufficient experience working as a statistician in the pharmaceutical industry to independently perform and lead statistical work within a project, an indication within a more complex project or be recognised as a methodology expert. This individual is able to lead and direct Biometrics work either in house or partnering with CROs to ensure delivery to quality and time.

Typical Accountabilities

The Statistical Science Associate Director may work as a lead statistician

For a project or indication in clinical or preclinical therapeutic areas

Leading the delivery and oversight on a multiple studies/indication within a project, potentially as a Global Project Statistician for a standard drug project

Contributing to statistical methodological advances

The accountabilities for supporting projects directly include:

Lead the statistical thinking and contributions to the delivery of studies, development plans, regulatory strategy, health technology assessment and/or commercial activities

Direct project work, including statistical staff and/or CRO partners, to ensure delivery to standards, quality and time

Develop design options and provide high quality decision support to enable the business to make informed decisions about a study or project

Quantify the benefit, risk, value and uncertainty of the emerging asset/product profile

Investigate and apply novel statistical approaches, for relevant statistical issues and/or regulatory guidance and/or value demonstration, including modelling and simulation

Mentor/coach and support the education and training of statistics staff

The accountabilities for supporting statistical methodological advances include:

Ability to consult across project teams within area of expertise

Application of expert skills to investigate, apply novel statistical approaches, for relevant statistical issues and/or regulatory guidance and/or value demonstration, including modelling and simulation

Produce pragmatic solutions, often within a tight time scale where the emphasis will be to deliver first, then refine and develop solutions thereafter

Contribute to/or lead the development of a process improvement and/or capability area within the department

Establish and improve standards and best practice, apply novel statistical approaches to increase effectiveness and efficiency

Interact with external scientists and represent AstraZeneca Biometrics externally via publications and presentations on novel statistical approaches and best practice

Mentor/coach and support the education and training of statistics staff in the technical arena

Education, Qualifications, Skills and Experience

Essential

MSc/PhD in Statistics, Mathematics (containing a substantial statistical component), or recognised equivalent to stats MSc

Strong knowledge of programming in R and/or SAS

Knowledge of the technical and regulatory requirements related to the role

Excellent communication skills and ability to build strong relationships

Technical:

Usually PhD in Statistics or a relevant topic

Experience of independent research

Delivering innovative statistical solutions in an applied environment

Desirable

Project Management Skills

Proficiency in SAS and R/Python languages

Knowledge of Bayesian statistics from theory to computation is a plus

Technical:

Track record of research and methodological development in Statistics, supported by scientific publications in first class statistical journals

Date Posted

Closing Date

AstraZeneca embraces diversity and equality of opportunity.  We are committed to building an inclusive and diverse team representing all backgrounds, with as wide a range of perspectives as possible, and harnessing industry-leading skills.  We believe that the more inclusive we are, the better our work will be.  We welcome and consider applications to join our team from all qualified candidates, regardless of their characteristics.  We comply with all applicable laws and regulations on non-discrimination in employment (and recruitment), as well as work authorization and employment eligibility verification requirements.