Senior Data Scientist - Statistics & Data Science Innovation Hub(SDS-IH)

This Senior Data Scientist role is an exciting opportunity to channel your passion for innovation in the field of Data Science to help shape the future of the Biostatistics function and transform the way in which GSK uses data and quantitative thinking to drive decision-making in R&D.

Biostatistics is the single-largest functional group of Statisticians, Programmers and Data Scientists within GSK R&D, numbering approx. 900 permanent people in the US, UK, Europe and India. Our mission is to put statistical thinking at the heart of R&D decision-making; to ensure that predictive models and well-designed experiments and trials deliver robust evidence as the input to those decisions – ultimately making the R&D process more efficient and increasing the probability of success. We are investing in our cutting-edge innovation capabilities by expanding the Statistics & Data Science Innovation Hub (SDS-IH) led by Prof Nicky Best.  The vision of SDS-IH is to be the catalyst for innovation and advanced data-driven decision making.

We create a place where people can grow, be their best, be safe, and feel welcome, valued and included. We offer a competitive salary, an annual bonus based on company performance, healthcare and wellbeing programmes, pension plan membership, and shares and savings programme.

We embrace modern work practises; our Performance with Choice programme offers a hybrid working model, empowering you to find the optimal balance between remote and in-office work.

Discover more about our company wide benefits and life at GSK on our webpage Life at GSK | GSK

Joining the Statistics & Data Science Innovation Hub?

Within SDS-IH, we have recently formed a new 'pillar', dedicated to improving decision-making across R&D by delivering impactful Data Science solutions.  In a relatively short period of time, the new pillar has already established a growing portfolio of projects with ongoing initiatives in areas from Finance and Resource Management to Precision Medicine. We are expanding our team and seeking individuals who are passionate about innovation in Data Science.

As a Senior Data Scientist, you will play a key role in developing and implementing data science solutions that meet business needs. The ideal candidate has a strong interest in applying data science to address a variety of business problems. You will need some experience in developing Statistical or Machine Learning models using R and/or Python and incorporating these into production workflows. You will work closely with matrix teams on a wide range of projects using agile methodologies.

Please note, we'd like you to include a cover letter in your application and tell us why you are the perfect fit for this role.

In this role you will

• Modelling: Assist in identifying and implementing appropriate models and approaches to address business challenges.  Apply best practices in model fit testing, tuning and validation to ensure optimal performance. Generate and compare relevant metrics to select most suitable model for the problem at hand.
• Data Wrangling: Perform techniques to validate the quality of source data, wrangle to a suitable clean state to address a given business problem and deal with missing data. Work with senior colleagues in SDSIH and Tech to build appropriate data pipelines to ensure the reproducibility and reusability of the newly derived data within GSK’s Data Fabric.
• Visualisation: Design and create data visualisations to communicate complex messages clearly and concisely to business leaders.  Respond effectively to challenging questions with well-designed visual explanations.   
• Product Delivery: Support the delivery of Data Science products such as model APIs, curated datasets, and web applications. Ensure products meet business needs and adhere to quality standards.
• Collaboration: Work in matrixed teams on a wide range of projects using agile methodologies. Collaborate with SDS-IH colleagues and partners from the wider R&D community.
• Communication: Effectively communicate complex technical concepts to a range of stakeholders. Support business areas with the rollout and uptake of Data Science solutions.
• Quality: Write clean, readable code. Ensure deliverables are appropriately quality controlled and delivered to production standards. Stay informed about the latest Data Science and industry trends.

Why you?

Basic Qualifications & Skills:

We are looking for professionals with these required skills to achieve our goals:

We are looking for professionals with these required skills to achieve our goals:

• MSc (preferred) or BSc degree in STEM subjects: Computer Science; Machine Learning; Artificial Intelligence; Statistics; Bioinformatics; Engineering; Mathematics; Physics; Chemistry.
• Applied experience in R (Tidyverse) and/or Python:
  • Data wrangling and predictive modelling / machine learning (tidymodels, pandas, scikit-learn)
  • Use of git for code management version control
• Practical experience in delivering Data Science products/solutions to business stakeholders:
  • Creation of e.g. web applications, model APIs, Python/R packages
• Understanding of predictive modelling, the mathematical foundations of applied statistical, ML and AI algorithms.
• Experience of Pharma R&D, including drug development (preferred) or related healthcare industry, including clinical trial operations and regulatory compliance.
• Excellent written, data visualisation and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain complex technical concepts to different audiences.
• Experience of working with matrixed team. 

Closing Date for Applications – September 15th, 2024 (COB)

Please take a copy of the Job Description, as this will not be available post closure of the advert. 

When applying for this role, please use the ‘cover letter’ of the online application or your CV to describe how you meet the competencies for this role, as outlined in the job requirements above. The information that you have provided in your cover letter and CV will be used to assess your application.

At GSK, we have bold ambitions for patients, aiming to positively impact the health of 2.5 billion people over the next 10 years. R&D is committed to discovering and delivering transformational vaccines and medicines to prevent and change the course of disease. Science and technology are coming together in a way they never have before, and we have strong tech-enabled capabilities that allow us to build a deeper understanding of the patient, human biology and disease mechanisms, and transform medical discovery.  We are revolutionising the way we do R&D. We’re uniting science, technology and talent to get ahead of disease together.

Find out more:

Our approach to R&D.   

Why GSK?

Uniting science, technology and talent to get ahead of disease together.

GSK is a global biopharma company with a special purpose – to unite science, technology and talent to get ahead of disease together – so we can positively impact the health of billions of people and deliver stronger, more sustainable shareholder returns – as an organisation where people can thrive. We prevent and treat disease with vaccines, specialty and general medicines. We focus on the science of the immune system and the use of new platform and data technologies, investing in four core therapeutic areas (infectious diseases, HIV, respiratory/ immunology and oncology).

Our success absolutely depends on our people. While getting ahead of disease together is about our ambition for patients and shareholders, it’s also about making GSK a place where people can thrive. We want GSK to be a place where people feel inspired, encouraged and challenged to be the best they can be. A place where they can be themselves – feeling welcome, valued, and included. Where they can keep growing and look after their wellbeing. So, if you share our ambition, join us at this exciting moment in our journey to get Ahead Together.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we are open to all talent. In the US, we also adhere to Affirmative Action principles. This ensures that all qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to neurodiversity, race/ethnicity, colour, national origin, religion, gender, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, age, disability, genetic information, military service, covered/protected veteran status or any other federal, state or local protected class*(*US only).

We believe in an agile working culture for all our roles. If flexibility is important to you, we encourage you to explore with our hiring team what the opportunities are.

Should you require any adjustments to our process to assist you in demonstrating your strengths and capabilities contact us on [email protected] or 0808 234 4391. 

Please note should your enquiry not relate to adjustments, we will not be able to support you through these channels. However, we have created a UK Recruitment FAQ guide. Click the link and scroll to the Careers Section where you will find answers to multiple questions we receive

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