Statistics Leader -Statistics and Data Science Innovation Hub

Job content

Site Name: Italy, Netherlands - Amsterdam, UK - London - Brentford, USA - Pennsylvania - Upper Providence, Belgium-Rixensart
Posted Date: Jun 30 2021

This is an exciting opportunity to channel your passion for Innovation in the field of Statistics and Data Science to help shape the future of the Biostatistics function and revolutionize the way in which GSK conducts its R&D in the future.

Biostatistics is the single-largest functional group of Statisticians and Data Scientists within GSK R&D, numbering approx. 550 permanent people in the US, the UK and India. It contains statisticians and programmers who support every platform in Medicinal Science and Technology, every Research Unit and every clinical project across Research, Development, Oncology and Global Health.

We work the full spectrum of the drug discovery and development pipeline; from target identification through candidate selection, from first time administration in human through submission activities and lifecycle management; all are critically supported by members of our function.

We are investing in growing our cutting-edge statistical innovation and data science capabilities. These investments include the recent announcement of a new VP-led organization bringing together our Advanced Biostatistics & Data Analytics (ABDA) team and our Statistical Data Sciences (SDS) team.

The SDS-IH mission is to build capability and deliver data-driven approaches to quantitative decision making across the organization. Achieving this vision requires us to adapt to new ways of working and rebalance skills across Biostatistics. The SDS-IH team itself is a model for our vision, consisting of Statisticians working closely with Data Scientists with a variety of different skills and backgrounds, but all with an emphasis on the development of novel statistical methodologies, systems and tools.

Responsibilities



Joining a group of innovative statistical scientists working in close collaboration with project teams and key stakeholders to design more effective studies which: raise the likelihood of advancing successful therapies (where the drug is safe and effective), increase the likelihood of an early termination of ineffective or unsafe therapies, and/or reduce the expected cost of the trial or program. The role’s responsibility spans 3 key dimensions:



Innovation:you will be driving systematic use of quantitative decision-making methods to support development plans across all stages of the drug development lifecycle by developing and implementing cutting edge statistical innovative methods that leverage relevant prior information (including expert knowledge), various adaptive and Complex Innovative Designs, as appropriate. Additional methodologies to enhance design options may include: analysis, visualization and endpoint development from data arising from wearable/digital devices, methods for handling treatment discontinuation and withdrawal from clinical trials (estimands), and biomarker-driven designs.

Leadership and Teamwork: you will collaborate with project statisticians to drive the uptake of innovative methods. The latter requires ability to communicate complex statistical designs/concepts to non-statistical audiences in an efficient manner. You will also provide statistical consultancy and training on various innovation topics as needed.



Capability development: you will create and foster collaborations with external statistical groups (both industry and academia) in order to promote statistical innovation within GSK and across the pharmaceutical industry. You will also proactively contribute to development and implementation a communication strategy to rapidly advance awareness and uptake of new statistical methods and novel designs within GSK

Why YOU

Essential Qualifications

We are looking for professionals with these required skills to achieve our goals:

• PhD (or equivalent) in statistics/biostatistics, mathematics or related quantitative discipline
• At least 3 years’ experience in drug development or other relevant industry or academic setting
• Demonstrable evidence of statistical innovation and technical statistical strength, including publication in major scientific journals
• Experience of using Bayesian methods
• Competent user of modern biostatistical methods relevant to drug development, such as mixed modelling, longitudinal/time series modelling, survival analysis, clinical trial simulation
• Thorough working knowledge of current statistical software packages (at least one of SAS, R, Stata) and/or programming languages (e.g. Python, Java)
• Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate complex statistical ideas to non-statisticians
• Self-motivated, independent worker
• Record of building and maintaining effective working relationships
  

Preferred Qualifications

If you have the following characteristics, it would be a plus:

• Experience in one or more areas of statistical research activity relevant to pharmaceutical industry (e.g. use of historical data / informative priors, predictive modelling, adaptive designs, missing data, benefit-risk modelling, evidence synthesis).
• Evidence of deeper expertise in at least one of the areas below would be beneficial but not essential:
• Experience of using MCMC software packages (e.g. BUGS, JAGS, Stan, INLA, SAS Proc MCMC)
• Experience of parallel/distributed computing
• Experience with machine learning algorithms, multivariate statistical analysis techniques and/or biomarker modelling in drug development
• Proven ability to apply innovative statistical thinking to meet project and/or business objectives. Demonstrable evidence of using innovative statistical thinking to influence practice would be beneficial but not essential.
  

Why GSK

As GSK Focuses On Our Values And Expectations And a Culture Of Innovation, Performance, And Trust, The Successful Candidate Will Demonstrate The Following Capabilities

Our values and expectationsare at the heart of everything we do and form an important part of our culture. These include Patient focus, Transparency, Respect, Integrity along with Courage, Accountability, Development, and Teamwork.

• Agile and distributed decision-making – using evidence and applying judgement to balance pace, rigor and risk
• Committed to delivering high quality results, overcoming challenges, focusing on what matters, execution.
• Implementing change initiatives and being flexible with change
• Sustaining energy and well-being
• Continuously looking for opportunities to learn, build skills and share learning both internally and externally.
• Building strong relationships and collaboration, managing trusted stakeholder relationships internally and externally.
  

We offer competitive salaries, benefits, training and development, and are committed to the continuous development of your technical skills and competencies. Opportunities are available at our sites in Upper Providence (Greater Philadelphia area) and Boston, MA in the US.

• Li-GSK
  

If you have a disability and require assistance during the course of the selection process, you will have the opportunity to let us know what specific assistance you require in order to make suitable arrangements.

Our goal is to be one of the world’s most innovative, best performing and trusted healthcare companies. We believe that we all bring something unique to GSK and when we combine our knowledge, experiences and styles together, the impact is incredible. Come join our adventure at GSK where you will be inspired to do your best work for our patients and consumers. A place where you can be you, feel good and keep growing.

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