Sr. Scientist, Stat. Programming

Job Description

Our Quantitative Sciences team use big data to analyse the safety and efficacy claims of our potential medical breakthroughs. We review the quality and reliability of clinical studies using deep scientific knowledge, statistical analysis and high-quality data to support decision making in clinical trials. Our Biostatistics and Research Decision Sciences (BARDS) organization has a presence in the US, EU and Asia Pacific and a proud record of providing comprehensive analytical and methodological expertise to support our company’s strategic goals.

 

We offer long-term career opportunities in a company which values innovation, efficiency, diversity and respect. Today, we are building a new kind of healthcare company – one that is ready to help create a healthier future for all of us. Our ability to excel depends on the integrity, knowledge, imagination, skill, diversity and teamwork of an individual like you. To this end, we strive to create an environment of mutual respect, encouragement and teamwork. 

 

As an addition to our BARDS Team and located in our Hub in Zurich, we are currently looking for a Senior Statistical Programmer, Health Technology Assessment (m/f/d) (full-time, indefinite) to develop statistical programming activities focusing on the analysis and reporting needs for Health Technology Assessment (HTA) dossiers; with the goal to provide fair accessibility for patients to our company’s medicines and vaccines, making a real difference in patient’s lives.

 

On this role you will contribute to the definition and implementation of strategic solutions utilizing multiple programming languages to create analysis datasets, tables, listing and figures from clinical trial data. You will be a key collaborator with HTA biostatisticians and other project stakeholders in ensuring that project plans are executed efficiently with timely and high-quality deliverables. As a senior programmer you will be the point of contact and for assigned projects and will also perform development and validation activities following departmental SOPs.

 

THE PRIMARY ACTIVITIES INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:

• Programmatically develop, validate and maintain analysis and reporting deliverables for HTA dossiers.
• Ensure proper project planning; provide statistical programming project leadership to key project dimensions.
• Assure deliverable quality and compliance with departmental SOPs and good programming practices.
• Collaborate effectively with project team members; be a valued part of project teams.
• Membership on departmental strategic initiative teams.

 

QUALIFICATIONS:

• BS in Computer Science, Statistics, Applied Mathematics, Life Sciences, Engineering or related analytical field plus 5-9 years programming experience in programming languages like R and/or SAS Or
• MS in Computer Science, Statistics, Applied Mathematics, Life Sciences, Engineering or related analytical field plus 3-7 year in R and/or SAS programming experience
• Significant expertise in R and SAS clinical trial programming including data processing, statistical procedures and graphing and tabulation techniques; systems and database expertise.
• Working knowledge of statistics, clinical and data management concepts as applied to drug/vaccine development within the pharmaceutical industry.
• Knowledge in CDISC SDTM and ADaM standards.
• Effective knowledge and experience in developing analysis and reporting deliverables for R&D projects (data, analyses, tables, graphics, listings).
• Business fluency in English (oral and written).
• A project leader; completes tasks independently at a project level; ability to collaborate with key stakeholders.
• Ability to quickly and effectively learn new program techniques and data structures; capacity to seamlessly assimilate to new projects.
• Ability to comprehend analysis plans which may describe HTA research and statistical programming methodology to be programmed; an understanding of statistical terminology and concepts.
• Experience ensuring process compliance and deliverable quality.
• Strategic thinking - ability to turn strategy into tactical activities; design of statistical databases with the end in mind that optimize analysis and reporting and leverage departmental standards and industry best-practices.
• Team oriented with demonstrated history of teamwork and collaboration across cultures and geographies; enjoying diversity, respect and integrity.

 

We are a research-driven biopharmaceutical company. Our mission is built on the simple premise that if we “follow the science” that great medicines can make a significant impact to our world. We believe that a research-driven enterprise dedicated to world-class science can succeed by inventing medicine and vaccine innovations that make a difference for patients across the globe. 

 

THE COMPANY…

Our company has had a presence in Switzerland since 1963. With a regional office and manufacturing/packaging facility, Lucerne is considered the center of operations. Approximately 1,000 people work collaboratively at the four Lucerne locations (Weystrasse, Citybay, Schachen and Kriens). A fifth location has been recently established in Zurich, aimed at accelerating the development and commercialization of many of our company’s medicines and vaccines, which supports our mission to save and improve lives around the world. The new location has a target date of 2021 for operational readiness.

We are proud to be certified as a “Top Employer Switzerland” and “Top Employer Europe” showing the company’s commitment to our employees and the community around us.

 

Required Skills:

Data Management, Data Modeling, Numerical Analysis, Project Scoping, Python (Programming Language), R Programming, Statistical Analysis, Statistical Programming

Preferred Skills:

Current Employees apply HERE

Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

Search Firm Representatives Please Read Carefully 
Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, Rahway, NJ, USA, does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. All CVs / resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at our company without a valid written search agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of our company.  No fee will be paid in the event a candidate is hired by our company as a result of an agency referral where no pre-existing agreement is in place. Where agency agreements are in place, introductions are position specific. Please, no phone calls or emails. 

Employee Status:

Regular

Relocation:

No relocation

VISA Sponsorship:

No

Travel Requirements:

10%

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Not Applicable

Shift:

Not Indicated

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

N/A

Job Posting End Date:

10/5/2026

*A job posting is effective until 11:59:59PM on the day BEFORE the listed job posting end date. Please ensure you apply to a job posting no later than the day BEFORE the job posting end date.