Assoc Principal Scientist Statistical Programming, Late-Stage (Non-Oncology) (Hybrid)

Statistical Programming Lead

In BARDS (Biostatistics and Research Decision Sciences), a distinguished department within our company's renowned Research and Development division, quantitative scientists, in partnership with other subject matter experts, apply state-of-the art scientific methodologies and tools to enable the discovery, development, regulatory approval, manufacturing, and marketing of medical drugs and vaccines for the benefit of patients and global human health.

This position leads statistical programming activities for multiple and/or late-stage drug/vaccine clinical development projects. Accountability predominantly includes the development and execution of 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.

The incumbent is responsible for the design and maintenance of statistical datasets that support multiple stakeholder groups which include clinical development, outcomes research and safety evaluation.

The position is a key collaborator with statistics and other project stakeholders in ensuring that project plans are executed efficiently with timely and high-quality deliverables.

For assigned projects the position serves as the statistical programming point of contact and knowledge holder through the entire product lifecycle.

Primary Activities:

• Effective analysis and report programming development and validation utilizing global and TA standards and
• Following departmental SOPs and good programming practices
• Maintain and manage a project plan including resource forecasting
• Coordinate the activities of a global programming team that includes outsource provider staff
• Membership on departmental strategic initiative teams

  Education and Minimum Requirement:

  • BA/BS in Computer Science, Statistics, Applied Mathematics, Life Sciences, Engineering or related field plus a minimum of 9 years SAS programming experience in a clinical trial environment
  • MS in Computer Science, Statistics, Applied Mathematics, Life Sciences, Engineering or related field plus a minimum of 7 years SAS programming experience in a clinical trial environment

    Department Required Skills and Experience:

    • Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to negotiate and collaborate effectively
    • Excellent written, oral, and presentation skills
    • Broad knowledge and significant experience in developing analysis and reporting deliverables for R&D projects (data, analyses, tables, graphics, listings)
    • Strong project management skills; leadership at a program level; determines approach and ensures consistency and directs development of others when opportunities arise; ability to engage key stakeholders

      Position Specific Required Skills and Experience:

      • Significant expertise in SAS and clinical trial programming including data steps, procedures, SAS/MACRO, SAS/GRAPH; systems and database expertise
      • Experience leading large and/or complex statistical programming projects that include coordinating the activities of a programming team
      • US and/or worldwide drug or vaccine regulatory application submission experience at the leadership level including the development of electronic submission deliverables
      • Designs and develops complex programming algorithms
      • Ability to comprehend analysis plans which may describe methodology to be programmed; an understanding of statistical terminology and concepts
      • Familiarity with clinical data management concepts
      • Experience in CDISC and ADaM standards
      • Demonstrated success in the assurance of deliverable quality and process compliance
      • Strategic thinking – ability to turn strategy into tactical activities; design of statistical databases with the end in mind that optimize analysis and reporting and leverage departmental standards and industry best-practices
      • Ability to anticipate stakeholder requirements

        ** Preferred Skills and Experience:

        • Strong working knowledge of reporting processes (SOPs) and software development life-cycle (SDLC)
        • Experience with GenAI tools (e.g., Python, R, R Shiny, etc.)
        • Experience providing technical and/or programming guidance and mentoring to colleagues
        • Ability and interest to work across cultures and geographies
        • Ability to complete statistical programming deliverables through the use of global outsource partner programming staff
        • Experience developing and managing a project plan using Microsoft Project or similar package
        • Active in professional societies
        • Experience in process improvement

          Required Skills:

          CDISC ADaM, Clinical Data Interchange Standards Consortium (CDISC) Standards, Project Management, Regulatory Submissions, Stakeholder Relationship Management, Statistical Analysis Systems (SAS) Programming

          Preferred Skills:

          Generative AI, Python (Programming Language), R Programming

          Salary Range for this role is $142,400.00 – $224,100.00

          The successful candidate will be eligible for annual bonus and long-term incentive, if applicable.

          We offer a comprehensive package of benefits. Available benefits include medical, dental, vision healthcare and other insurance benefits (for employee and family), retirement benefits, including 401(k), paid holidays, vacation, and compassionate and sick days. More information about benefits is available at https://jobs.merck.com/us/en/compensation-and-benefits.