Director of Data Science (ACRN) - Zimbabwe, Rwanda, Tanzania, South Africa

Location: Rwanda/ South Africa/ Tanzania/ Zimbabwe - On site at one of these locations 

Hours: Full Time 

Reports to: Chief of Staff/ Chief Medical Officer – Africa Clinical Research Network 

Our Mission:  

The African Clinical Research Network (ACRN) is an African-led and African-driven clinical research organisation. Our work not only promotes and supports a vibrant life sciences ecosystem but also profoundly impacts Africa's health and economic development. By facilitating sustainable, innovative, collaborative, and community-oriented research, ACRN is poised to transform healthcare and improve lives across Africa, inspiring a new era of clinical research.  

We provide high-quality data, harmonise regulatory processes to improve timelines, support capacity building within the existing ethics and regulatory systems, and enhance community trust and research participation. These are some of the first key steps to making Africa more competitive in the global life sciences industry, a goal we are proud to contribute to.  

The ACRN drives clinical research excellence by connecting researchers to opportunities, enhancing research capacity in existing facilities, implementing high-quality trials and research, and  leveraging a robust digital infrastructure.    

We are committed to fostering the community's understanding of research. Through our community engagement network, we significantly increase stakeholder buy-in of clinical results, thereby enhancing the transparency and credibility of our research.

Job Summary: 

The Director of Data Science will lead ACRN’s data science initiatives, driving the development and application of advanced analytics to support clinical trials, epidemiologic studies, and observational research. This role will oversee the design, implementation, and management of data systems and pipelines to ensure high-quality, actionable insights that advance ACRN’s mission of strengthening clinical research across Africa. The Director of Data Science will collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, including clinical operations, regulatory affairs, and research investigators, to deliver innovative, data-driven solutions. 

Key Responsibilities: 

Strategic Leadership: 

Define and execute ACRN’s data science strategy, aligning with organisational goals for clinical trials, epidemiologic studies, and observational research. 

Build and lead a high-performing data science team, fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration. 

Identify opportunities to leverage advanced analytics, machine learning, and AI to enhance clinical trial design, execution, and analysis. 

Data Infrastructure and Management: 

Oversee the design and implementation of data systems and pipelines to support efficient data collection, integration, and analysis across multi-country studies. 

Ensure the scalability, security, and interoperability of data systems, aligning with regulatory and ethical standards. 

Collaborate with IT and data management teams to maintain robust clinical trial management systems (CTMS) and electronic data capture (EDC) platforms. 

Clinical Trial and Study Support: 

Provide data-driven insights to optimise trial design, site selection, and participant recruitment. 

Develop and oversee statistical analysis plans for clinical trials, ensuring adherence to study protocols and regulatory requirements. 

Lead the integration and analysis of real-world data (RWD) and real-world evidence (RWE) to inform study outcomes and health economic evaluations. 

Advanced Analytics and Insights: 

Apply advanced statistical and machine learning techniques to uncover trends, predict outcomes, and support decision-making in clinical research. 

Build predictive models and dashboards to monitor study progress and identify areas for improvement. 

Collaborate with researchers to design and analyse epidemiologic and observational studies, generating actionable insights for publication and policy advocacy. 

Quality Assurance and Compliance: 

Establish and enforce data governance policies to ensure data integrity, confidentiality, and compliance with international regulatory standards (e.g., ICH, GCP). 

Conduct regular audits of data systems and processes to maintain quality and accuracy. 

Stakeholder Engagement and Collaboration: 

Work closely with clinical operations, site teams, and investigators to address data-related needs and challenges. 

Collaborate with external stakeholders, including sponsors, regulatory authorities, and global partners, to align data requirements and reporting standards. 

Represent ACRN in data science forums, conferences, and partnerships to showcase ACRN’s capabilities and build strategic relationships. 

Qualifications: 

Education: Master’s or PhD in Data Science, Biostatistics, Epidemiology, Computer Science, or a related field. 

Experience: 

8+ years of experience in data science or biostatistics, with a focus on clinical trials or epidemiologic research. 

Proven track record of leading data teams and managing large-scale, multi-country studies. 

Deep understanding of clinical trial processes, regulatory requirements, and statistical methodologies. 

Experience with real-world data (RWD) and real-world evidence (RWE) in healthcare is highly desirable. 

Key Skills and Competencies: 

Expertise in statistical programming (e.g., R, Python, SAS) and data visualisation tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI). 

Strong knowledge of database management systems (e.g., SQL, NoSQL) and cloud-based platforms. 

Familiarity with electronic data capture (EDC) systems and clinical trial management systems (CTMS). 

Experience with machine learning and AI applications in healthcare is a plus. 

Desired Attributes: 

Visionary leader with a passion for leveraging data to advance clinical research. 

Detail-oriented and analytical, with excellent problem-solving skills. 

Strong communicator and collaborator, able to translate complex data insights into actionable recommendations. 

Work Environment: 

This position can be based in Zimbabwe, Rwanda, Tanzania or South Africa, with occasional travel to other office locations as necessary. The role may require flexible working hours to support remote teams and ensure systems are running smoothly across time zones. 

Please apply online providing a covering letter specifically highlighting how your existing skills and experiences support fulfilling the responsibilities of this role.