Associate Director AI Solutions Scientist

The Associate Director, AI Solutions Scientist is a hands-on experienced technical leader who specializes in architecting and developing modern AI solutions, use-cases, and applications as well as efficiently conducting research on feasibility of such solutions. While keenly focusing on business utility, and how AI transforms processes, the role will go deep into providing architectural and design guidance on the use of AI and data science, new processes and workflows to  cross-functional teams and at times implementing state-of-the-art AI solutions for business processes within R&D and across Corporate Functions.

The AI Solutions Scientist will develop leading-edge technical solutions such as multi-agent orchestration, pragmatic uses of generative AI, and robust reusable AI solution capabilities as part of cross-functional teams including life sciences subject matter experts and technical development teams, including AI engineers and AI platform engineers. In a world with rapidly evolving AI, AI technology, the AI Solutions scientist will also keep current with evolving technologies, gaining experience in new technology to guide better implementation of projects in responsibility, but also providing guidance to cross-functional teams, where needed.


The AI Solutions Scientist will work with other Data Science, AI Scientists, AI engineers, and others within the larger Data Science and AI team in designing, developing, and implementing robust solutions for Otsuka. The role will partner with cross-functional teams such as IT (e.g., AI platform engineers to utilize recommended foundational capabilities, and architectural frameworks) and other stakeholders to ensure that efficient and effective solutions are developed and ultimately lead to AI transformation.

Technical and data skills

• AI product strategy: Develop a product vision and roadmap specifically for AI-driven solutions, aligning AI capabilities with business objectives, technology, and market trends.
• Data-driven decision making: Use data analysis and key performance indicators (KPIs) to monitor product performance and make informed decisions, considering the unique evaluation metrics for AI models in delivering business value, esp. in Pharma R&D operations and Enterprise use cases.
• Understanding of Pharma R&D Data: Possess a deep and expansive understanding of data in the field of drug development, clinical trials, external healthcare data to be able to be effectively build AI solutions that conform to responsible AI, privacy by design, as well as regulatory compliance.
• User centric solution design and development: Deliver effective AI enabled products that build trust, drive adoption, and lead to transformation. Ensure a design centric approaches through a deep understanding of user needs, fears, processes, regulations, and responsible AI. 
• AI and ML Models: Experiment with, develop and train or fine-tune high quality effective AI models for business problems and processes, validate and evaluate them for fielding as part of broader solutions. Demonstrate strong foundational understanding of AI/ML, statistics, and data science concepts.
• Generative AI: Expertise in generative AI, including concepts like prompt engineering, embeddings, and fine-tuning, is often required for building and upgrading modern AI solutions. Core understanding of evaluation of LLMs quantitatively and qualitatively. Hands-on experience demonstrated in developing and fielding enterprise fieldable AI systems.
• Agentic AI frameworks and architecture: Design, implement and deploy of agentic AI systems utilizing perception, planning, reasoning, orchestration, execution, and reflection loops. Demonstrate deep previous experience in architecting and deploying AI agent-based solutions.
• Understanding MLOps and LLMOps: Possess strong knowledge of processes and tools for deploying and maintaining machine learning models, LLM’s, and agents in a production environment. Oversee the life cycle management and revisions of AI solutions
• Guide AI ecosystem capabilities: Provide technical input on AI ecosystem, AI platform, AI frameworks and architecture including AI solution evolution, and new capability development. Guide developers and other technical team members and provide oversight on AI concepts and their implementation
• Use case review: Lead or assist in review of AI / ML use cases to ensure a AI guidelines, frameworks, platform components, and responsible AI is enabled. Act as a subject matter expert for AI solution on cross functional teams in bespoke organizational initiatives by providing thought leadership and execution support for data engineering needs. Demonstrate a proactive approach to identifying and resolving potential issues both during development and production support of data analytics and AI applications
• Development and promote reuseable AI components: Ensure development of reusable data and AI solution components and promote their use across the data and AI ecosystem, business functions (e.g., clinical operations, asset management, quality, safety, regulatory, RWD, Enterprise functions, etc.) and promote innovative, scalable data and AI approaches to accelerate data science and AI solutions

Collaboration

• Cross-functional team leadership: Collaborate with a mix of technical, semi-technical and business stakeholders to lead and align diverse teams, including data scientists, engineers, designers, marketing, legal, and executives.
• Stakeholder management: Guide and manage stakeholders in communicating AI progress, outcomes, impact, limitations, and risks to stakeholders and managing expectations.
• "Translator" communication: The skill to bridge communication between technical AI teams and non-technical business stakeholders.
• Enablement and change management: Lead efforts to support the adoption of new AI technologies within an organization. 
• Partnerships: Partner with other functional areas internally and external partners to conceptualize, develop or co-develop AI/ML capabilities while leveraging AI Engineering, Data Engineering, and AI platform architecture, AI platform engineers, and infrastructure, and other IT teams. Collaborate with internal data and AI scientist, IT, cloud architects to ensure that data infrastructure and technical solutions are aligned with enterprise architecture and compliance needs

Strategic thinking and Responsible AI

• Risk management and compliance: Collaborate with legal, privacy, and ethics teams to address concerns around algorithmic bias, fairness, transparency, and data privacy.
• Adaptability: Ensure effective operations while deeply understanding the greater ambiguity inherent in AI product development and adapting to continuous experimentation and iteration cycles.
• Strategic thinking: Ability to think beyond features and focus on curating intelligence and context that drives product evolution. 

Qualifications/ Required

Knowledge/ Experience and Skills:

• Masters degree in Data Science, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, Statistics, Information Systems, or a related discipline with focus on advanced and modern Data Science, including the use of AI and machine learning. PhD is preferred.
• Experience in software/product engineering. Deep understanding of AI and Machine Learning and its applications in Pharma
• Experience with data science and AI enabling technology, such as Dataiku Data Science Studio, AWS SageMaker or other data science platforms
• Creative problem solving using responsible use of AI and other technologies.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to convey complex technical concepts to non-technical audiences.
• Familiarity with machine learning and AI technologies and their integration with data engineering pipelines
• Strong understanding of Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) and data science development lifecycle (CRISP)
• Highly self-motivated to deliver both independently and with strong team collaboration
• Experience in AI and ML based software/product engineering; familiarity with test and validation principles, GxP validation
• Experience with data science enabling technology, such as Dataiku Data Science Studio, Snowflake, AWS SageMaker or other data science platforms
• Experience in architecting, building and maintaining large-scale data and AI solutions in a scientific, regulated, or research-heavy environment.
• Strong experience working within the pharmaceutical, biotech, or life sciences industry, particularly in drug development and clinical trials is highly desirable.
• Proven track record of implementing and deploying Gen AI and large language model (LLM) applications in production environments.

• Experience in architecting, building and maintaining large-scale data and AI solutions in a scientific, regulated, or research-heavy environment.
• Strong experience working within the pharmaceutical, biotech, or life sciences industry, particularly within R&D, is highly desirable.
• Proven track record of implementing proof of concept as well as production grade AI/ML, Gen AI and large language model (LLM) applications in production environments.

Competencies
Accountability for Results - Stay focused on key strategic objectives, be accountable for high standards of performance, and take an active role in leading change.
Strategic Thinking & Problem Solving - Make decisions considering the long-term impact to customers, patients, employees, and the business.
Patient & Customer Centricity - Maintain an ongoing focus on the needs of our customers and/or key stakeholders.
Impactful Communication - Communicate with logic, clarity, and respect. Influence at all levels to achieve the best results for Otsuka.
Respectful Collaboration - Seek and value others’ perspectives and strive for diverse partnerships to enhance work toward common goals.
Empowered Development - Play an active role in professional development as a business imperative.

Minimum $169,222.00 - Maximum $253,000.00, plus incentive opportunity: The range shown represents a typical pay range or starting pay for individuals who are hired in the role to perform in the United States. Other elements may be used to determine actual pay such as the candidate’s job experience, specific skills, and comparison to internal incumbents currently in role. Typically, actual pay will be positioned within the established range, rather than at its minimum or maximum. This information is provided to applicants in accordance with states and local laws.

Company benefits:  Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, prescription drug coverage, company provided basic life, accidental death & dismemberment, short-term and long-term disability insurance, tuition reimbursement, student loan assistance, a generous 401(k) match, flexible time off, paid holidays, and paid leave programs as well as other company provided benefits.

Come discover more about Otsuka and our benefit offerings; https://ah-prod.com/multi/videoplayer/player.html?v=6385356920112.

Join Our Talent Community: Stay connected with Otsuka by joining our Talent Community. Tell us about your interests, and we’ll notify you about future opportunities that align with your background. https://community.hireez.com/cielo-otsuka/82cb3591

Disclaimer: 

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by the people assigned to this position. It is not intended to include every job duty and responsibility specific to the position. Otsuka reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities to meet business and organizational needs as necessary. 

Otsuka is an equal opportunity employer.  All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will be given consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity or gender expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, national origin, veteran status, marital status, or any other legally protected characteristic.   

If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you may request a reasonable accommodation, if you are unable or limited in your ability to apply to this job opening as a result of your disability.  You can request reasonable accommodations by contacting [email protected]. 

Statement Regarding Job Recruiting Fraud Scams

At Otsuka we take security and protection of your personal information very seriously. Please be aware individuals may approach you and falsely present themselves as our employees or representatives.  They may use this false pretense to try to gain access to your personal information or acquire money from you by offering fictitious employment opportunities purportedly on our behalf.

Please understand, Otsuka will never ask for financial information of any kind or for payment of money during the job application process. We do not require any financial, credit card or bank account information and/or any payment of any kind to be considered for employment. We will also not offer you money to buy equipment, software, or for any other purpose during the job application process. If you are being asked to pay or offered money for equipment fees or some other application processing fee, even if claimed you will be reimbursed, this is not Otsuka. These claims are fraudulent and you are strongly advised to exercise caution when you receive such an offer of employment.

Otsuka will also never ask you to download a third-party application in order to communicate about a legitimate job opportunity. Scammers may also send offers or claims from a fake email address or from Yahoo, Gmail, Hotmail, etc, and not from an official Otsuka email address. Please take extra caution while examining such an email address, as the scammers may misspell an official Otsuka email address and use a slightly modified version duplicating letters.

To ensure that you are communicating about a legitimate job opportunity at Otsuka, please only deal directly with Otsuka through its official Otsuka Career website https://vhr-otsuka.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/External.

Otsuka will not be held liable or responsible for any claims, losses, damages or expenses resulting from job recruiting scams. If you suspect a position is fraudulent, please contact Otsuka’s call center at: 800-363-5670. If you believe you are the victim of fraud resulting from a job recruiting scam, please contact the FBI through the Internet Crime Complaint Center at: https://www.ic3.gov,  or your local authorities.

Otsuka America Pharmaceutical Inc., Otsuka Pharmaceutical Development & Commercialization, Inc., and Otsuka Precision Health, Inc. (“Otsuka”) does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities.  All CVs/resumes submitted by search firms to any Otsuka employee directly or through Otsuka’s application portal without a valid written search agreement in place for the position will be considered Otsuka’s sole property.  No fee will be paid if a candidate is hired by Otsuka 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.