Director, Oncology Statistics

Research & Development    ·      Remote Non Sales-USA, California    ·       Full time

Multiple Locations: Remote Non Sales-USA, California

Categories: Research & Development

Req ID: 6417

Job Description

Jazz Pharmaceuticals plc (NASDAQ: JAZZ) is a global biopharmaceutical company whose purpose is to innovate to transform the lives of patients and their families. We are dedicated to developing life-changing medicines for people with serious diseases – often with limited or no therapeutic options. We have a diverse portfolio of marketed medicines and novel product candidates, from early- to late-stage development, in neuroscience and oncology. We actively explore new options for patients including novel compounds, small molecules and biologics, and through cannabinoid science and innovative delivery technologies. Jazz is headquartered in Dublin, Ireland and has employees around the globe, serving patients in nearly 75 countries. For more information, please visit www.jazzpharmaceuticals.com and follow @JazzPharma on Twitter.

The Director, Biostatistics is the statistical lead on one or more Jazz Pharmaceuticals drug development projects, and will act as a statistical expert across all studies in the project(s).  This position can have direct reports up to Associate Director level, participates in regulatory interactions for the project(s), provides statistical leadership for direct reports, and ensures the quality and timeliness of biostatistics analyses.  Contributes to or leads development of departmental processes and procedures, including establishing standards and operating procedures.  Lead statistical input and strategy in governance team discussions.  This position works collaboratively with clinicians, data managers, other biostatisticians, and statistical programmers in the planning, conduct, and analysis of clinical studies in all phases, including integrated reporting.  Oversees professional development of biostatisticians.

Essential Functions

• Lead drug development project(s) by developing and executing statistical strategy, design, and analyses for clinical trials.  
• Manage biostatisticians within the drug development project(s).
• Manage CROs providing statistical support to ensure timely delivery of quality analysis results; oversee contracts and invoices.
• Approve guidelines and standards of CROs to ensure quality of deliverables.
• Contribute to or lead Biometrics teams to develop, implement, and maintain department standards and practices.
• Provide technical support and input to project statisticians and statistical tasks.
• Provide statistical expertise to prepare for meetings with regulatory agencies; attend meetings with regulatory agencies; respond to statistical questions from regulatory agencies and support and defend clinical programs.
• Collaborate with researchers and thought leaders in the planning of clinical development programs and the publication of study data.
• Present study results to internal and external audiences.
• Develop statistical programs as necessary to simulate clinical trial design operating characteristics, simulate clinical trial design operating characteristics, perform analysis, prepare data displays, and verify the correctness of data and analyses.
• Be able to conduct independent research and resolve statistical methodological issues.
• Recruit, develop, and supervise internal and external statisticians to achieve project goals.
• May lead outsourcing statistical activities within a program.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Expert knowledge of clinical trial design and analysis, including experience with complex statistical methods and models, including statistical principles and methodology and principles of statistical inference, including hypothesis testing and deriving estimates, parametric and non-parametric models and techniques, principles of sample size calculations for comparing two arms, principles of design of experiments in introducing conditions designed to affect an outcome of interest, and phase II-IV clinical trial data analysis.
• Experience in using SAS or R; knowledge of other statistical applications and programming languages a plus.
• Expert knowledge of applicable regulatory requirements and guidelines, e.g., ICH Guidelines and drug development regulatory requirements as they relate to statistics, including statistical contributions to marketing applications and CDISC SDTM and ADaM standards.
• Able to work in a fast-paced, flexible, team-oriented environment.
• Possess excellent interpersonal and communication skills (written and verbal).
• Strong attention to detail with a view to bring studies to a quality conclusion.
• Flexible, positive, creative thinker, good communicator.
• Work without close supervision. Well-developed time management skills are important.

Minimum Requirements

• PhD or MS degree in statistics, mathematics, or a related discipline with a statistical focus. 
• A minimum of 8 years of experience; supervisory experience is preferred.
• Expert knowledge of drug development regulations pertinent to statistical analysis.
• Knowledge of the oncology therapeutic area is preferred.
• Bayesian and adaptive design experience.
• Experience in contributing to NDA or BLA submissions and defense is required.
• Proficient SAS programming skills, solid understanding of CDISC models and standards.
• Excellent writing and communication skills, demonstrated leadership abilities and excellent interpersonal skills.

Description of Physical Demands

• Occasional mobility within office environment.
• Routinely sitting for extended periods.
• Constantly operating a computer, printer, telephone, and other similar office machinery.

Description of Work Environment

• Works indoors in normal office environment with little exposure to excessive noise, dust, fumes, and temperature changes.
• Computer use at a workstation.
• May move from one work location to another occasionally.
• Responsibilities may require a work schedule that may include working outside of normal work hours, in order to meet business demands.
• Occasional public contact requiring appropriate business apparel.

Jazz Pharmaceuticals is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any characteristic protected by law.

Please click here to apply.