Principal Statistician

3 weeks ago


Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom AstraZeneca Full time

Principal Statistician

Location – Remote, UK

Duration – 6 months

Outside IR35


The statistician has experience in the pharmaceutical industry to independently perform and lead statistical work within a drug project, an indication within a more complex drug project or within more complex clinical studies. 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 Principal Statistician may work as a lead statistician:

  • For a project or an indication in clinical therapeutic areas, or on more complex clinical studies
  • Leading the delivery and oversight on multiple studies/an indication within a drug project, potentially as a Global Project Statistician for a standard drug project


The accountabilities can include:

  • Lead the statistical thinking and contributions to the delivery of clinical 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 drug product profile
  • Investigate and apply novel statistical approaches, for relevant statistical issues and/or regulatory guidance and/or value demonstration, including modelling and simulation
  • Contribute to/or lead the development of a process improvement and/or capability area within the department
  • Establish and improve standards and best practice
  • Mentor/coach and support the education and training of statistics staff


Education, Qualifications, Skills and Experience

  • 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
  • Project management skills

Key stakeholders and relationships (globally)

  • All levels of functions within biometrics
  • Therapeutic area physicians and scientists
  • Collaboration partners in other departments
  • Drug project leading roles
  • Vendor counterparts as well as project managers and other biometrics contacts


We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, colour, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.


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.


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