Principal Data Scientist & R Developer

Site Name: UK - London - Brentford

Posted Date: Mar 3 2023

Principal Data Scientist & R Developer - Statistical Data Sciences

This is an exciting opportunity to channel your passion for Data Science to help shape the future of the Biostatistics function and revolutionize the way in which GSK conducts its R&D in the future.

Biostatistics is the single-largest functional group of Statisticians, Programmers and Data Scientists within GSK R&D, numbering approx. 800 permanent people in the US, UK, Europe and India. Our work ensures that robust quantitative examination and statistical analysis is at the heart of R&D decision-making and enables scientists to make timely, data-driven choices about which potential new medicines and vaccines are most promising to add value for patients – ultimately making the development process more efficient and maximizing success. We are investing in growing our cutting-edge statistical innovation and data science capabilities by creating the new Statistics & Data Science Innovation Hub (SDS-IH) led by Prof Nicky Best.

SDS-IH’s mission is to deliver value from data. We drive and deliver novel statistical and data science solutions across clinical development and the entire organization. We proactively identify opportunities to resolve drug and vaccines development challenges and build optimal solutions by:

• Challenging the status quo
• Following a well-defined innovation process
• Discovering root problems and offering alternative solutions
• Introducing novel methodologies
• Productizing solutions for greater efficiency
• Forging strategic partnerships at GSK and with academia
  
  

In this role you will,

This is a new technical position within the within our flourishing SDS-IH Data Science team. As a Principal Data Scientist and R Developer within the Data Science team your responsibility will be to help solve business challenges within Biostatistics and our partner organisations and use a variety of Data Science tools and methods to deliver Proof of Value initiatives.

• Innovation/Technical Knowledge. The diverse Data Science team consists of subject matter experts from a variety of technical backgrounds and this is reflected in the broad range of initiatives that we support. Our deliverables can take the form of a training course/webinar, a statistical model, an R package, an application, or even a computing environment. This technical role will support in the creation of these deliverables and therefore requires a broad basis of technical knowledge, encompassing aspects of application development, DevOps, statistics and machine learning
• Leadership and Teamwork. You will provide technical input and direction on various initiatives from pilots through to larger production deliveries. This includes close collaboration with our business partners to identify possible solutions and deliver the expected business value within the agreed timelines. You will receive mentorship from senior team members, and work with partners from the wider Biostatistics community as applicable.
• Capability Development. In order to deliver SDS-IH’s capability development objective, it is expected that you are proactive in promoting Data Science tools and methods both internally and externally. This includes active participation and engagement with colleagues on internal social media channels. You will therefore be expected to keep up to date with the latest tools and methods coming from the Data Science community and work with SDS-IH technical experts to ensure clear messaging for the wider Biostatistics and Data Science communities.
  
  

Closing Date for Applications: 6th April 2023 (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.

During the course of your application you will be requested to complete voluntary information which will be used in monitoring the effectiveness of our equality and diversity policies. Your information will be treated as confidential and will not be used in any part of the selection process. If you require a reasonable adjustment to the application / selection process to enable you to demonstrate your ability to perform the job requirements, please contact 0808 234 4391. This will help us to understand any modifications we may need to make to support you throughout our selection process.

Why you?

Basic Qualifications,

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

• A Bachelor’s degree in data science, mathematics, statistics, computer science or related discipline, or equivalent experience
• Familiarity with the Programming Language R
• Developing analytic scripts and software in R
• Familiarity with the R package landscape, in particular tidyverse, table and plotting packages
• Familiarity with common Data Science tools/practices like the RStudio and git/GitHub
• Sound written and verbal communication skills
• An unbiased approach to solving problems with Data Science
• The ability to solve complex problems both analytically and programmatically
  
  

Preferred Qualifications,

The following characteristics are desirable:

• Knowledge or experience with R package development, Shiny App development, R data structures and object systems (eg S3, S4, R6), CI/CD, and data storage formats and technologies including relational database
• An awareness of other programming languages such as Python, SQL, and SAS
• Experience presenting complex concepts to non-experts
• The forever-student mentality, continuously looking for opportunities to learn, build skills and share learning both internally and externally.
  
  

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. Getting ahead means preventing disease as well as treating it, and we aim to impact the health of 2.5 billion people around the world in the next 10 years.

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.

Find out more:

Annual Report 2021

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. Getting ahead means preventing disease as well as treating it, and we aim to impact the health of 2.5 billion people around the world in the next 10 years.

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 workplace where everyone can feel a sense of belonging and thrive as set out in our Equal and Inclusive Treatment of Employees policy. We’re committed to being more proactive at all levels so that our workforce reflects the communities we work and hire in, and our GSK leadership reflects our GSK workforce.

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 Ukdiversity.recruitment@gsk.com or 0808 234 4391. Please note should your enquiry not relate to adjustments, we will not be able to support you through these channels

As you apply, we will ask you to share some personal information which is entirely voluntary. We want to have an opportunity to consider a diverse pool of qualified candidates and this information will assist us in meeting that objective and in understanding how well we are doing against our inclusion and diversity ambitions. We would really appreciate it if you could take a few moments to complete it. Rest assured, Hiring Managers do not have access to this information and we will treat your information confidentially.

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