Application Guide
How to Apply for Associate Director of Statistical Programming
at Recursion
🏢 About Recursion
Recursion is a biotechnology company pioneering industrial-scale drug discovery through its Recursion Operating System, which combines automated wet-lab experiments with advanced computational approaches. Unlike traditional biotechs, Recursion leverages machine learning and data science at massive scale to map complex biological relationships and accelerate therapeutic development. This makes it an exciting workplace for professionals who want to work at the intersection of technology, data, and life sciences.
About This Role
As Associate Director of Statistical Programming at Recursion, you'll lead programming activities across clinical programs, ensuring high-quality deliverables like tables, listings, figures, and analysis datasets while overseeing external service providers. This role is critical for driving the adoption of innovative programming technologies and workflows to enhance clinical data efficiency, directly supporting Recursion's mission to decode biology and radically improve lives through data-driven drug discovery.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might involve leading statistical programming activities for clinical programs, reviewing and quality-controlling tables, listings, and figures, while coordinating with external service providers to ensure deliverables are on track. You could also be developing or refining programming standards and processes, exploring innovative technologies to enhance data workflows, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to support Recursion's data-driven drug discovery efforts.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Recursion Is Looking For
- Has 8+ years of statistical programming experience in pharma/biotech with 5+ years as Lead Statistical Programmer across multiple therapeutic areas, demonstrating deep industry knowledge.
- Demonstrates advanced proficiency in SAS, R, and R-Shiny with mastery of complex graphing techniques, plus expert knowledge of CDISC, SDTM, and ADaM data standards.
- Possesses strong leadership skills to oversee external functional service providers and drive adoption of innovative programming technologies and workflows.
- Holds a BS/MS in life science, computer science, statistics, or related field, with a track record of developing standards and processes aligned with ICH and regulatory requirements.
📝 Tips for Applying to Recursion
Highlight specific examples where you've led statistical programming across multiple therapeutic areas, quantifying impact on clinical programs.
Emphasize experience with innovative programming technologies and workflows that enhanced clinical data review, cleaning, or integration efficiency.
Detail your expertise in CDISC, SDTM, and ADaM standards, and how you've ensured regulatory compliance in previous roles.
Showcase advanced proficiency in SAS, R, and R-Shiny with concrete examples of complex graphing techniques you've mastered.
Demonstrate your ability to oversee external functional service providers, ensuring timely, high-quality deliverables.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
['Your leadership experience as a Lead Statistical Programmer across multiple therapeutic areas and how it aligns with overseeing clinical programs at Recursion.', 'Specific examples of driving adoption of innovative programming technologies and workflows to enhance clinical data efficiency.', 'Expertise in CDISC, SDTM, and ADaM standards and ensuring regulatory compliance in pharmaceutical/biotechnology settings.', "How your background in life sciences, computer science, or statistics supports Recursion's data-driven approach to drug discovery."]
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Recursion's Recursion Operating System and how it integrates automated experiments with computational approaches for drug discovery.
- → The company's therapeutic focus areas and pipeline to understand the clinical programs you'd support.
- → Recursion's use of machine learning and data science in biology, and how statistical programming fits into this ecosystem.
- → Recent news or publications about Recursion's innovative approaches to clinical data and technology.
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Failing to demonstrate specific experience with CDISC, SDTM, and ADaM standards or regulatory compliance in pharma/biotech.
- Not providing concrete examples of leading statistical programming across multiple therapeutic areas or overseeing external providers.
- Overlooking the need to highlight proficiency in SAS, R, and R-Shiny with complex graphing techniques, as listed in requirements.
📅 Application Timeline
This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.
Typical hiring timeline:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!