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Statistical Science Director

Posted date May. 19, 2025
Contract type Full time
Job ID R-227053
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Why choose AstraZeneca Spain?

AstraZeneca Spain is a rising force in our global business. With headquarters in Madrid and our global hub in Barcelona, we’ve become an important international centre of excellence in the fight against critical disease. Boasting vibrant universities and business schools, the Barcelona ecosystem is a place where scientists can thrive. We attract a diverse workforce from across the globe, shining a beacon for innovation in a country that’s committed to clinical development.

We invite you to bring your talents to Barcelona where our respiratory medicine R&D and Global Marketing centre offers opportunities in R&D, IT, Commercial and HR. Or join us in Madrid and shape our growth in our BUs (Respiratory, Oncology & CVRM ), and a range of Corporate functions. Additionally, you can find sales roles throughout the country. Together, we’re contributing to a world-leading pipeline of therapeutics and delivering life-changing medicines to patients.

Who do we look for?

Calling all tech innovators, ownership takers, challenge seekers and proactive collaborators. At AstraZeneca Spain, breakthroughs born in the lab become transformative medicine for the world's most complex diseases. Alongside technical expertise, colleagues have the resilience, energy and collaborative mindset to change lanes, work with different teams and start projects from scratch.

Here, diverse minds and bold disruptors can meaningfully impact the future of healthcare using cutting-edge technology. Whether you join us in Madrid or Barcelona, you can make a tangible impact within a global biopharmaceutical company that invests in your future. Join a talented global team that's powering AstraZeneca to better serve patients every day.

Success Profile

Ready to make an impact in your career? If you're passionate, growth-orientated and a true team player, we'll help you succeed. Here are some of the skills and capabilities we look for.

Diverse collaborators

This is a speak-up culture that values collaboration. You’ll proactively bring your unique perspectives, experiences and skills to the table and seek the same from others. With our international team composition and the need for fast-paced collaboration, you’ll always be building new connections with colleagues.

Cutting-edge innovators

When you join us, you’ll be part of a team that embraces digital technology and data to transform the way we work and the work we do. Every day, you’ll help make history, empowered to ignite your creativity and build something enduring.

Resilient trailblazers

Here, the answers aren’t always available. So, you’ll need to bring a fearless, self-starter mindset to navigate uncharted territories. You’ll harness your ceaseless energy to discover and make the necessary connections with colleagues to shape the future and achieve maximum impact.

Agile movers

Seize ownership and excel with autonomy to enjoy the constant rush of ground-breaking discovery. Your ability to anticipate sudden shifts and adapt swiftly will prove critical as you make your mark in an environment that rewards initiative and resilience.

Responsibilities

Job ID R-227053 Date posted 05/19/2025

Location: Barcelona - Spain (3 days working from the office and 2 days working from home)

WHY JOIN US?

At AstraZeneca, we are dedicated to being a Great Place to Work, where you are empowered to push the boundaries of science and unleash your entrepreneurial spirit. With an ambitious goal of delivering 20 new medicines by 2030, there is no better place to make a difference in medicine, for patients, and in society.

Join us on this exciting journey to pioneer the future of healthcare. Our inclusive culture champions diversity and collaboration, and we are always committed to lifelong learning, growth, and development. As part of our team, you'll contribute to groundbreaking advancements that will shape a healthier future for people everywhere. Be a catalyst for change at AstraZeneca, where your work will have a real impact on improving people's lives.

Recognizing the importance of individualized flexibility, our ways of working allow employees to balance personal and work commitments while ensuring we continue to create a strong culture of collaboration and teamwork by engaging face-to-face in our offices 3 days a week. Our head office is purposely designed with collaboration in mind, providing space where teams can come together to strategize, brainstorm and connect on key projects.

About the Opportunity:

Are you ready to lead and innovate in the world of clinical statistics? As a Statistical Science Director at AstraZeneca, you'll leverage your extensive experience in the pharmaceutical industry to independently guide statistical strategies and technical activities. Whether it's designing, delivering, or interpreting data for high-level governance committees or regulatory submissions, your expertise will be pivotal. You'll also have the opportunity to be recognized externally as a methodology expert, leading technical analyses and mentoring less experienced staff. Join us and collaborate across functions to make a real impact!

What you'll do:

In this role you will be responsible in leading the strategic, statistical thinking and contributions to the Development Plans, Regulatory Strategy, Health Technology Assessment and Commercial Presentation for indications/projects within an AZ product team.

You will provide leadership to statistical staff on the indications/projects so that all work is carried out with regards to AZ standards and external regulations; through partnership with experts, developing design options and providing high quality decision support to enable the business to make informed decisions; quantifying the benefit, risk, value and uncertainty of the emerging product profile. 

You will apply expert skills to investigate, apply novel statistical approaches, for relevant statistical issues and/or regulatory guidance and/or value demonstration.  You will mentor/coach and support the education and training of statistics staff in the technical arena.


The accountabilities for supporting projects directly include:

  • Lead the statistical design and strategy to product development plans, preclinical studies, regulatory strategy, health technology assessment, and/or commercial activities as appropriate for the stage of the product.

  • Lead the statistical content and ensure quality for study designs, documents, delivery, interpretation, and submission.

  • Quantify the benefit, risk, value, and uncertainty of the emerging product profile and communicate these effectively within the team.

  • Provide global leadership to others and direct project work delivered by internal and external staff.

  • Partner with CROs to ensure delivery to quality and time.

  • Represent AstraZeneca externally which may include health authorities, advisory boards, conferences, workshops, and/or payer interactions.

  • Maintain knowledge of statistical methodology in relevant areas and promote, investigate, and implement novel statistical approaches.

  • Represent statistical strategy and decision-making at internal governance including review boards, therapy area leadership teams, and ESPC/LSPC.

  • Mentor/coach and support the technical education and training of Statistics staff.

The accountabilities for supporting statistical methodological advances are (technical focus):

  • In-depth knowledge of technical/regulatory requirements with experience in pharm/healthcare.

  • Stay up-to-date and implement novel statistical approaches.

  • Experience with and broad awareness of regulatory interactions and/or submissions.

  • Excellent communication skills/build strong relationships.

  • Nationally recognized externally. Invited to attend or speak at seminars and external meetings. Well-rounded statistician with publications on a range of topic areas. Publications resulting from external collaborations.

  • Expert Leadership role able to lead/direct work across a team.

What we’re looking for:

This role requires an individual with outstanding technical skills, leadership, and the ability to guide and support multiple studies while fostering team development and project success.

Essential Skills/Experience:

  • MSc/PhD in Statistics, Mathematics (with a substantial statistical component), or a recognized equivalent to a stats MSc.

  • Proven track record of independent leadership.

  • Extensive experience in clinical trials critical for this role.

  • Recognized for exemplary technical skills and expert leadership role or national recognition as a statistical technical expert.

  • Demonstrated ability to provide cross-study support, overseeing, aligning, and providing technical support for multiple studies.

Desirable Skills/Experience:

  • Experience in Vaccines is a strong asset but open to other therapeutic areas (TA).

  • Experience with business development opportunities, such as in-licensing, would be beneficial.

  • Proficiency in programming languages such as SAS, R, and Python.

  • Strong project management skills.

  • Excellent communication skills, especially in relation to project management, ensuring effective cross-functional collaboration and stakeholder engagement.

SO, WHAT’S NEXT?

To be considered for this exciting opportunity, please complete the full application on our website at your earliest convenience – it is the only way that our Recruiter and Hiring Manager can know that you feel well qualified for this opportunity.  If you know someone who would be a great fit, please share this posting with them.

Are you interested in working at AZ, apply today!

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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Reasons to Join

Thomas Mathisen

There are many things I enjoy when working at AstraZeneca, mainly the Speak up culture, the great colleagues that are in my teams, the great products that AstraZeneca provides to our patients and the challenging conversations I have around our medicines.

Sales Representative Oslo, Norway

There are many things I enjoy when working at AstraZeneca, mainly the Speak up culture, the great colleagues that are in my teams, the great products that AstraZeneca provides to our patients and the challenging conversations I have around our medicines.

Christine Recchio

Working at AstraZeneca has impacted my life in such a positive way. I now have an improved work-life balance through creating my own schedule and time management, I feel a balance that I didn’t have before.

Sales Representative California, United States

Working at AstraZeneca has impacted my life in such a positive way. I now have an improved work-life balance through creating my own schedule and time management, I feel a balance that I didn’t have before.

Stephanie Ling

There are a lot of reasons why I enjoy working in AstraZeneca, my colleagues being one of them. My team members and the managers have provided a great deal of guidance in helping me to be more confident in my daily work.

Sales Representative Petaling Jaya, Malaysia

There are a lot of reasons why I enjoy working in AstraZeneca, my colleagues being one of them. My team members and the managers have provided a great deal of guidance in helping me to be more confident in my daily work.

What we offer

We're driven by our shared values of serving people, society and the planet. Our people make this possible, which is why we prioritise diversity, inclusivity, balance and sustainability. Discover what a career at AstraZeneca could mean for you.

An award-winning company

We're passionate about being a great place to work, and 84% of our employees would recommend us as an employer. We've been recognised as a Top Employer in Spain, an EFR Family Responsible Business, and we achieved third place in Forbes Spain's Top 50 Best Places to Work list.

Inclusive environment

Diversity and inclusion are embedded in everything we do, and our different views, experiences and strengths enrich our culture. There's no salary gap at AstraZeneca, and the number of female employees has increased by four per cent over the last three years. We've also made all positions fully accessible.

Work-life balance

Your wellbeing means a lot to us, and we're here to support you through all of life's ups and downs. That's why we offer an unpaid leave policy, annual leave, reduced-hours timetables and a host of benefits, including a retirement plan, long service award, and health and travel insurance.

Sustainability initiatives

We're committed to harnessing the power of science to become a more sustainable business. We've reduced our carbon footprint by over 9,000 kg of CO2 over the last two years, and we lead the European GoGreen Project, which aims to introduce environmentally friendly options in our fleet of corporate vehicles.

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Glassdoor logo Rated four stars on Glassdoor

Great culture, great work assignments, supportive management. Rotation opportunity within the company. They value inclusion and diversity.