Associate Director Biostatistics, Early Phase

Daiichi Sankyo
Location
Unknown
Job Type
Full-time
Posted
November 8, 2026

Job Description

This position supports early phase development and leads complex studies up to POC (proof of concept), including dose-escalation, dose-expansion, and dose-optimization studies, in study design, statistical analysis, interpretation, and reporting of results. This position contributes to drug development plans and Health Authority documents while independently providing statistical leadership for assigned studies. This position serves as the main statistical contact for assigned studies and collaborates with cross-functional study and project teams to solve complex study problems. The position provides scientific oversight of delegated CRO statistical activities while retaining accountability for the quality and timeliness of statistical deliverables. This position partners closely with Early Development study and project teams, including Clinical Development, Clinical Science, Clinical Pharmacology, Precision Medicine, Translational Science, Clinical Operations, and other relevant functions, to support study execution, data interpretation, and development decision-making.

Responsibilities

  • Protocol Development, Case Report Form (CRF; review), Statistical Analysis Plan (SAP), Statistical Analysis, Results Interpretation, and clinical study report (CSR): Leads statistical activities for complex early phase studies, including dose-escalation, dose-expansion, and dose-optimization design; protocol development; CRF review; SAP and analysis specification development; statistical analysis quality review; results interpretation; and CSR input and review. Acts as main statistical contact for the assigned studies and projects. Provides statistical guidance to study and project teams and contributes to the evaluation and integration of emerging safety, tolerability, efficacy, pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic, and biomarker data to support dose escalation, dose selection, cohort expansion, and development decisions; collaborates closely with data management and statistical programming to ensure high-quality data and outputs.
  • Drug Development Strategy: Provides statistical input to early development plans and decisions, including dose and schedule selection, cohort expansion, proof-of-concept assessment, and advancement decisions, to ensure study designs are scientifically sound, fulfill regulatory requirements, and support the evaluation for the pre-specified drug product profile.
  • CRO / Vendor Oversight: Provides scientific and technical oversight of delegated CRO/vendor statistical activities and ensures deliverables meet quality, compliance, and timeline expectations. Reviews CRO/vendor proposal and budget.
  • Global Health Authority Support: Contributes to the statistical content of global Health Authority documents and responses for assigned studies and may participate in Health Authority meetings or teleconferences to support the statistical rationale for study design, dose optimization, analysis, and decision criteria.
  • Global BDM Strategy to Improve Drug Development: Primarily participates and may occasionally lead moderately complex initiatives, with some level of supervision, to improve the harmonization and efficiency of drug development which leads to cost savings and shortened timelines for the company.

Qualifications

Education Qualifications

Master's Degree in statistics or biostatistics required and PhD in statistics or biostatistics preferred

Experience Qualifications

8+ Years of relevant experience in the pharmaceutical industry with a masters degree required or

5+ Years of relevant experience in the pharmaceutical industry with a PhD preferred

Minimum 2 years of experience supporting Early Phase drug development studies, including dose-escalation, dose-expansion, dose-optimization, or proof-of-concept studies preferred. preferred

  • Strong written and verbal communication skills - Proficiency in SAS and/or R required. required
  • Experience applying statistical methodologies relevant to Early Phase development, including Bayesian methods, adaptive designs, dose-finding approaches, modeling and simulation, and decision-making statistical frameworks such as futility assessment preferred. - Demonstrated ability to provide real-time statistical consultation and recommendations in fast-paced, cross-functional discussions. Demonstrated ability to evaluate and discuss multiple statistical design options and support the selection of fit-for-purpose development strategies. preferred

This position supports early phase development and leads complex studies up to POC (proof of concept), including dose-escalation, dose-expansion, and dose-optimization studies, in study design, statistical analysis, interpretation, and reporting of results. This position contributes to drug development plans and Health Authority documents while independently providing statistical leadership for assigned studies. This position serves as the main statistical contact for assigned studies and collaborates with cross-functional study and project teams to solve complex study problems. The position provides scientific oversight of delegated CRO statistical activities while retaining accountability for the quality and timeliness of statistical deliverables. This position partners closely with Early Development study and project teams, including Clinical Development, Clinical Science, Clinical Pharmacology, Precision Medicine, Translational Science, Clinical Operations, and other relevant functions, to support study execution, data interpretation, and development decision-making.

Responsibilities

  • Protocol Development, Case Report Form (CRF; review), Statistical Analysis Plan (SAP), Statistical Analysis, Results Interpretation, and clinical study report (CSR): Leads statistical activities for complex early phase studies, including dose-escalation, dose-expansion, and dose-optimization design; protocol development; CRF review; SAP and analysis specification development; statistical analysis quality review; results interpretation; and CSR input and review. Acts as main statistical contact for the assigned studies and projects. Provides statistical guidance to study and project teams and contributes to the evaluation and integration of emerging safety, tolerability, efficacy, pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic, and biomarker data to support dose escalation, dose selection, cohort expansion, and development decisions; collaborates closely with data management and statistical programming to ensure high-quality data and outputs.
  • Drug Development Strategy: Provides statistical input to early development plans and decisions, including dose and schedule selection, cohort expansion, proof-of-concept assessment, and advancement decisions, to ensure study designs are scientifically sound, fulfill regulatory requirements, and support the evaluation for the pre-specified drug product profile.
  • CRO / Vendor Oversight: Provides scientific and technical oversight of delegated CRO/vendor statistical activities and ensures deliverables meet quality, compliance, and timeline expectations. Reviews CRO/vendor proposal and budget.
  • Global Health Authority Support: Contributes to the statistical content of global Health Authority documents and responses for assigned studies and may participate in Health Authority meetings or teleconferences to support the statistical rationale for study design, dose optimization, analysis, and decision criteria.
  • Global BDM Strategy to Improve Drug Development: Primarily participates and may occasionally lead moderately complex initiatives, with some level of supervision, to improve the harmonization and efficiency of drug development which leads to cost savings and shortened timelines for the company.

Qualifications

Education Qualifications

Master's Degree in statistics or biostatistics required and PhD in statistics or biostatistics preferred

Experience Qualifications

8+ Years of relevant experience in the pharmaceutical industry with a masters degree required or

5+ Years of relevant experience in the pharmaceutical industry with a PhD preferred

Minimum 2 years of experience supporting Early Phase drug development studies, including dose-escalation, dose-expansion, dose-optimization, or proof-of-concept studies preferred. preferred

  • Strong written and verbal communication skills - Proficiency in SAS and/or R required. required
  • Experience applying statistical methodologies relevant to Early Phase development, including Bayesian methods, adaptive designs, dose-finding approaches, modeling and simulation, and decision-making statistical frameworks such as futility assessment preferred. - Demonstrated ability to provide real-time statistical consultation and recommendations in fast-paced, cross-functional discussions. Demonstrated ability to evaluate and discuss multiple statistical design options and support the selection of fit-for-purpose development strategies. preferred

Travel Requirements

Ability to travel up to 10% of the time.

Frequently Asked Questions

What education is required for this role?
A Master's degree in statistics or biostatistics is required; a PhD in statistics or biostatistics is preferred.
How much experience do I need?
8+ years of relevant pharmaceutical industry experience with a Master's degree is required, or 5+ years with a PhD (preferred). At least 2 years supporting early phase studies such as dose-escalation, dose-expansion, dose-optimization, or proof-of-concept studies is preferred. Proficiency in SAS and/or R and strong communication skills are required.
What are the main responsibilities?
Leading statistical activities for complex early phase studies up to proof of concept, including protocol development, CRF review, SAPs, analysis, results interpretation, and CSR input. You'll serve as the main statistical contact, provide input to early development strategy, oversee CRO/vendor statistical work, and contribute to global Health Authority documents.
Which statistical methods are useful for this role?
Preferred experience includes Bayesian methods, adaptive designs, dose-finding approaches, modeling and simulation, and decision-making frameworks such as futility assessment, plus the ability to give real-time statistical consultation in cross-functional discussions.
Who will I work with?
You'll partner with Early Development study and project teams, including Clinical Development, Clinical Science, Clinical Pharmacology, Precision Medicine, Translational Science, and Clinical Operations, and collaborate closely with data management, statistical programming, and CROs/vendors.
Does the role involve travel?
Yes, the role requires the ability to travel up to 10% of the time.

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Job Information

Source: manual
AI Relevance: 92/100 (Highly relevant)
Remote Type: onsite
Skills & Tags:
daiichi sankyo biostatistics clinical
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