Principal Clinical Data Scientist

Principal Clinical Data Scientist

Imagine shaping the data that brings life-changing medicines to patients faster. As a Principal Clinical Data Scientist at Novartis, you will play a critical role in ensuring the integrity, quality, and timeliness of clinical trial data across entire programs or assigned trials. You will lead end-to-end data management activities, overseeing study delivery, driving key performance indicators, and ensuring inspection-ready data that supports timely submissions to health authorities. By introducing innovative, data-driven solutions, you will enable efficient and high-quality drug development. Working at the heart of cross-functional clinical trial teams, you will collaborate closely with data quality experts, clinical teams, and external partners, fostering a high-performing, well-organized team environment. Your work will directly influence clinical decision-making and ultimately help improve outcomes for patients worldwide.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end data management for multiple clinical trials or across programs from Phase I to IV.
• Drive study and/or program-level data strategies aligned with therapeutic area and organizational objectives.
• Coordinate internal and external data scientists to ensure high-quality, timely study delivery.
• Provide expert input to protocol design, ensuring data quality, feasibility, and efficient data collection.
• Identify and resolve data-related risks impacting database design, analysis, or reporting outcomes.
• Collaborate cross-functionally to communicate study progress, timelines, and key data management insights.
• Oversee design and standardization of electronic case report forms and data structures.
• Ensure audit readiness, quality control, and reliability of clinical databases and deliverables.
• Apply advanced tools and industry standards to enable robust reporting and data visualization.
• Contribute to process improvements and act as a data management expert in complex problem-solving.

Essential Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in life sciences, computer science, pharmacy, nursing, or a related field.
• Proven experience managing clinical trial data across multiple studies and delivering to deadlines. Ideally, a minimum of 7+ years' experience in clinical data management.
• Strong knowledge of clinical trial methodology, good clinical practice, and medical terminology.
• Advanced ability to analyze and interpret data using programming or graphical user interface tools.
• Demonstrated leadership and collaboration skills in cross-functional, global team environments.
• Ability to identify risks, solve complex problems, and implement effective data management solutions.
• Excellent communication skills, with ability to influence stakeholders across functions and organizations.
• Experience mentoring colleagues and sharing knowledge to support team and project success.

Novartis Compensation and Benefit Summary:

The salary for this position is expected to range between 119,700.00 - 222,300.00 USD per year. The final salary offered is determined based on factors like, but not limited to, relevant skills and experience, and upon joining Novartis will be reviewed periodically. Novartis may change the published salary range based on company and market factors.

Your compensation will include a performance-based cash incentive and, depending on the level of the role, eligibility to be considered for annual equity awards.

US-based eligible employees will receive a comprehensive benefits package that includes health, life and disability benefits, a 401(k) with company contribution and match, and a variety of other benefits. In addition, employees are eligible for a generous time off package including vacation, personal days, holidays and other leaves.

EEO Statement:

The Novartis Group of Companies are Equal Opportunity Employers. We do not discriminate in recruitment, hiring, training, promotion or other employment practices for reasons of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status.

Accessibility and reasonable accommodations

The Novartis Group of Companies are committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process, or to perform the essential functions of a position, please send an e-mail to View email address on click.appcast.io or call View phone number on click.appcast.io and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Please include the job requisition number in your message.

Skills Desired

Clinical Data Management, Data Architecture, Data Governance, Data Integration, Data Management, Data Profiling, Data Quality, Data Science, Data Strategy, Master Data, Waterfall Model