Associate Principal Scientist, Statistical Programming

Merck Merck · Pharma · NJ

This role involves leading statistical programming activities for late-stage clinical trials, developing analysis and reporting deliverables for regulatory submissions, and collaborating with cross-functional teams. The position requires expertise in SAS and R programming, adherence to CDISC and ADaM standards, and experience in managing programming teams and ensuring deliverable quality and compliance within the pharmaceutical industry.

What you'd actually do

  1. Lead statistical programming activities for multiple and/or complex late-stage clinical trial development programs.
  2. Develop and execute statistical analysis and reporting deliverables (e.g., safety and efficacy analysis datasets, tables, listings, figures), the span of which range from individual clinical trials to world-wide regulatory application submissions and post marketing support.
  3. Act as a key collaborator with biostatisticians, project leads, data managers, and other stakeholders in ensuring that project plans are executed efficiently with timely and high-quality deliverables.
  4. Serve as the statistical programming point of contact and knowledge holder through the entire product lifecycle.
  5. Develop SAS and R programs to create and validate analysis datasets (ADaM) and summaries (TFLs) in support of clinical study reports and regulatory submissions (FDA, EMA, etc.).

Skills

Required

  • Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Statistics, Applied Mathematics, Life Sciences, Engineering, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or related field plus at least 9 years experience in Statistical Analysis System (SAS) programming in a clinical trial environment OR a Master’s degree in Computer Science, Statistics, Applied Mathematics, Life Sciences, Engineering, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or related field plus at least 7 years experience in Statistical Analysis System (SAS) programming in a clinical trial environment.
  • Experience leading large and/or complex statistical programming projects for Phase 2 and 3 clinical trials, including coordinating the activities of a programming team.
  • US and/or worldwide drug regulatory application submission experience at the leadership level including the development of electronic submission deliverables.
  • Broad knowledge and significant experience in developing analysis and reporting statistical programming deliverables for clinical trials (datasets, statistical analyses, report tables, and graphics) using global and TA standards and according to quality, compliance and timeliness requirements.
  • Expertise in CDISC and ADaM standards.
  • Expertise in SAS and clinical trial programming including data steps, procedures, SAS/MACRO, SAS/GRAPH; systems and database expertise.
  • Strong familiarity with statistical analysis methods and clinical data management concepts.
  • Strong project management skills; demonstrated ability as a program leader.
  • Ability to determine appropriate programming methodology, assure programming consistency across protocols and projects, complete programming tasks, and direct the program development effort of other programmers.
  • Demonstrated success in the assurance of deliverable quality and process compliance.
  • Experienced programming mentor.
  • Ability to engage key stakeholders.
  • Ability to comprehend statistical analysis plans which may describe statistical methodology to be programmed; an understanding of statistical terminology and concept designs and develop complex programming algorithms.
  • Excellent communication and negotiation skills with a demonstrated history of teamwork and collaboration.
  • Ability to deal well with change and seamlessly assimilate to new projects and stakeholders.
  • Strategic thinking ability to turn strategy into tactical activities.
  • Design statistical databases with the end in mind that optimize analysis and reporting and leverage departmental standards and industry best-practices.
  • Ability to anticipate stakeholder and regulatory requirements.

What the JD emphasized

  • US and/or worldwide drug regulatory application submission experience at the leadership level
  • Expertise in CDISC and ADaM standards
  • Expertise in SAS and clinical trial programming