Sr Director , Data Science

MSD • Rahway, NJ

18h • Remote

About The Position

We are seeking an accomplished scientific leader to join the Quantitative Pharmacology and Pharmacometrics –Oncology (QP2 Oncology) team as Senior Director, Quantitative Systems Pharmacology (QSP). QP2 Oncology is part of the Global Clinical Development organization and has oversight over drug development aspects related to clinical pharmacology, mechanistic PK-PD modeling and pharmacometrics of oncology drugs from post-preclinical candidate (PCC) selection through registration. Our Senior Directors are recognized experts in quantitative drug development and possess a deep, integrated understanding of both the science and the strategic, end-to-end dimensions of oncology drug development. Reporting directly to Executive Director and Section Head, QP2 Oncology, the Senior Director will provide leadership and scientific oversight to all QSP and mechanistic modeling efforts across the oncology portfolio.

Requirements

• Ph.D., with at least ten years of pharmaceutical drug development experience relating to: systems pharmacology, systems biology, PKPD, mathematics, chemical/biomedical engineering or related field. Masters or PharmD, with at least fifteen years of experience, where “experience” means having a record of increasing responsibility and independence in a similar role in pharmaceutical drug development.
• Extensive and in-depth experience in developing mechanistic PK-PD models and QSP models for decision making in early and late-stage clinical development.
• Demonstrated ability to lead an interdisciplinary team or taskforce, and/or to oversee the work of others.
• Oncology therapeutic area or disease knowledge
• Experience with modeling and simulation packages or programming languages (e.g., MATLAB, R, SimBiology, Python)
• Experience working with external QSP vendors.
• Experience in utilizing QSP modeling in IND, NDA and other submissions to global regulatory agencies.
• An exemplary record of increasing responsibility, independence, and demonstrated impact in driving drug development decisions through application of mechanistic model-based approaches.
• Proficiency in written and verbal communication, interdisciplinary collaboration, and problem scoping and planning.
• Business Intelligence (BI)
• Database Design
• Data Engineering
• Data Modeling
• Data Science
• Data Visualization
• Machine Learning (ML)
• Software Development
• Stakeholder Relationship Management
• Waterfall Model

Nice To Haves

• Experience with mechanistic modeling for antibody drug conjugates (ADCs) and/ or T-cell engagers in conjunction with immune-axis will be preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead and shape the QSP strategy across the oncology portfolio, ensuring alignment with program goals and organizational priorities.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of quantitative scientists in a matrixed role.
• Work in close collaboration with QP2 Oncology team, preclinical DMPK and modeling teams, biologists, clinicians, and other line functions to utilize mechanistic/ QSP modeling for dose selection, combination strategies and clinical trial design.
• Ensure high-quality, regulatory grade QSP deliverables for internal decisions, submissions, and scientific advice meetings.
• Contribute to regulatory strategy through preparation of QSP reports, briefing documents, and presentations.
• Foster a culture of scientific rigor, excellence, collaboration, and innovation and develop best practices for QSP modeling.
• Partner with senior leaders in Translational Modeling, Discovery and Clinical Development to define modeling strategies that influence program design and key decisions.
• Represent the company at scientific conferences, external collaborations, consortia, and industry working groups.
• Stay at the forefront of emerging methodologies in QSP and promote innovation.
• Manage activities related to budget planning, QSP vendor identification and outsourcing of QSP analyses and contract requisitions.

Benefits

• medical, dental, vision healthcare and other insurance benefits (for employee and family)
• retirement benefits, including 401(k)
• paid holidays
• vacation
• compassionate and sick days

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree