At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead statistical programming for clinical studies, ensuring high-quality deliverables.
- Company: Join Novartis, a leader in reimagining medicine to improve lives.
- Benefits: Enjoy a full-time role with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Other info: Diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our culture.
- Why this job: Be part of a passionate team making a real impact on patients' lives.
- Qualifications: 7+ years in programming, ideally in clinical trials; expert SAS skills required.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 84000 £ per year.
This job is with Novartis, an inclusive employer and a member of myGwork – the largest global platform for the LGBTQ+ business community. Please do not contact the recruiter directly. Summary Principal / Senior Principal Statistical Programmer #LI-Hybrid Location: London, UK Remote working can be considered This role is based in London, UK. Novartis is unable to offer relocation support for this role. Please only apply if this location is accessible for you. Therapy Area - Neuroscience Step into a pivotal role where your expertise shapes the future of clinical development. As a Senior Principal Statistical Programmer, you will lead complex programming strategies across high-impact studies and programs, partnering with cross-functional teams to deliver high-quality, regulatory-ready outputs. This is your opportunity to influence innovation, drive modern programming practices, and make a tangible difference in bringing life-changing medicines to patients faster. About the Role Key responsibilities: Lead SP activities as Trial Programmer for one or multiple trial(s) or as a Lead/ Program Programmer for a program or an indication. May coordinate activities of internal/ external programmers. Make SP decisions and propose strategies at study, program or indication/ disease level. May act as functional manager of associates including providing supervision and guidance to these programmers on operational / functional expertise and processes. Build and maintain effective working relationship with cross-functional teams, able to summarize and discuss status of deliverables and critical programming aspects (timelines, scope, resource plan), e.g. as SP representative in study- or program-level team. Review eCRF, data structures, and ensure program-level standardization for effective pooling and efficient case record tabulation (CRT) production. Comply with company, department and industry standards (e.g. CDISC) and processes, assess and clarify additional programming requirements, review, develop and influence programming specifications as part of the analysis plans (incl. program-level strategies). Provide and implement statistical programming solutions; ensure knowledge sharing. Act as programming expert in problem-solving aspects. Ensure timely and quality development and validation of datasets and outputs for clinical study reports (CSRs), regulatory submissions/interactions, safety reports, publications, post-marketing activities or exploratory analyses (as required) in the assigned drug development studies/program. Understand Git-based version control workflows and their role in supporting collaborative, traceable, and reproducible programming activities. Responsible for quality control and inspection readiness of all assigned statistical programming deliverables as well as accuracy and reliability of statistical analysis results. Establishes robust expectations and frameworks for reproducibility, documentation, and code quality across complex workflows; leads refinement of templates, standards, and governance. Maintain up-to-date advanced knowledge of statistical programming languages (e.g. R, SAS, ) as well as industry requirements (e.g. CDISC, eCTD, Define.xml), act as an expert for advanced analysis, reporting, automation and enterprise-scale workflow optimization, and drive adoption of reusable solutions and modern approaches across studies or programs Essential Requirements: BS/MS degree in statistics, computer science, mathematics, data science, life science or equivalent relevant degree Extensive experience and deep expertise in Statistical programming languages (e.g., R, SAS, or Python) to drive standardization across studies or programs and effectively adopt R packages (e.g. Tidyverse), R Shiny Applications, AI-enabled tools etc. to support data visualization, version control (e.g. Git-based), and reproducible workflows. Advanced experience in contributing to statistical analysis plans and/or constructing technical programming specifications Advanced knowledge of industry standards including CDISC data structures as well as a solid understanding of the development and use of standard programs Good understanding of regulatory requirements relevant to Statistical Programming (e.g. GCP, study procedures) Proven communications and negotiation skills, ability to work well with others globally and influence Experience as Trial/Lead/Program Programmer for several studies or project-level activities, including coordination of team of internal or external programmers on a given study/program, ability to transfer own knowledge to others Benefits
Senior Principal Statistical Programmer employer: Novartis
At Novartis, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and innovative work culture. Our hybrid work model allows for flexibility while providing ample opportunities for professional growth and development in the pharmaceutical industry. With a commitment to enhancing customer experiences for healthcare professionals and patients alike, joining our team means contributing to meaningful work that makes a difference in people's lives.
Contact Details:
Novartis Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Principal Statistical Programmer
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with Novartis' drug development processes and their commitment to quality. Understanding their approach will help you align your experience with their expectations during discussions.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former employees of Novartis, especially those in statistical programming roles. They can provide valuable insights into the company culture and what they look for in candidates.
✨Tip Number 3
Stay updated on the latest industry standards and regulatory requirements relevant to statistical programming, such as CDISC. This knowledge will demonstrate your commitment to compliance and excellence in your field.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss specific examples of your past projects where you led programming activities or collaborated with cross-functional teams. Highlighting your leadership and teamwork skills will be crucial in showcasing your fit for the role.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Principal Statistical Programmer
Expertise in SAS programming
Advanced knowledge of CDISC standards (SDTM/ADaM)
Statistical analysis plan development
Technical programming specifications construction
Quality control and audit readiness
Strong understanding of regulatory requirements (GCP)
Experience in clinical trial programming
Team coordination and leadership skills
Effective communication and negotiation skills
Problem-solving expertise in statistical programming
Ability to mentor and transfer knowledge to others
Familiarity with eCRF and data structures
Proficiency in developing advanced MACROs
Collaboration with cross-functional teams
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in statistical programming, particularly with SAS. Emphasise your expertise in clinical trials and any leadership roles you've held in programming projects.
Craft a Strong Cover Letter:In your cover letter, express your passion for improving patient outcomes through statistical programming. Mention specific projects or experiences that align with Novartis' mission and values.
Showcase Technical Skills:Clearly outline your technical skills related to statistical programming, including your proficiency in SAS and knowledge of industry standards like CDISC. Provide examples of how you've applied these skills in previous roles.
Highlight Collaboration Experience:Since the role involves working with cross-functional teams, include examples of successful collaborations in your application. Discuss how you’ve influenced project outcomes through teamwork and communication.
How to prepare for a job interview at Novartis
✨Showcase Your Technical Expertise
As a Senior Principal Statistical Programmer, it's crucial to demonstrate your advanced knowledge of programming software like SAS. Be prepared to discuss specific projects where you've successfully developed and validated deliverables, and highlight your experience with advanced MACROs.
✨Understand Regulatory Standards
Familiarise yourself with industry standards such as CDISC and regulatory requirements relevant to statistical programming. During the interview, be ready to explain how you ensure compliance with these standards in your work, as this will show your commitment to quality and accuracy.
✨Emphasise Collaboration Skills
This role requires effective collaboration with cross-functional teams. Share examples of how you've successfully worked with biostatistics or other departments to achieve project goals. Highlight your communication and negotiation skills, as these are key to building strong working relationships.
✨Prepare for Problem-Solving Scenarios
Expect to encounter questions that assess your problem-solving abilities. Think of specific challenges you've faced in previous roles and how you approached them. Being able to articulate your thought process and the outcomes will demonstrate your expertise and strategic thinking.
