O

Otsuka Pharmaceutical

Global pharma maker of Abilify

Associate Director, AI and Data Scientist

Full-Time
$169.2k - $253k+ Incentive opportunity
Expert
Master's, PhD
Remote in USA+1 moreMore locations: Princeton, NJ, USA
Remote
AI & Machine LearningNatural Language Processing & LLMs

About the job

Requirements
  • A master's degree in Data Science, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, Statistics, Information Systems, or a related discipline, with a focus on advanced and modern data science, including AI and machine learning.
  • Expertise in real-world data assets and using them to generate scientific evidence and guide operational effectiveness and efficiencies.
  • Deep expertise across data engineering, data representation, generative AI, AI, and machine learning techniques, and experience architecting and delivering AI and machine-learning use cases.
  • Experience in AI product development focused on AI, data science, and machine learning, with a deep understanding of AI and machine learning and their applications in pharmaceuticals.
  • Experience with data science and AI-enabling technology, such as Dataiku Data Science Studio, Snowflake, AWS SageMaker, or other data science platforms, and ability to maintain awareness as new AI technologies emerge.
  • Strong understanding of software development lifecycle and data science development lifecycle (CRISP), including awareness of testing and validation approaches related to GxP and non-GxP.
  • Experience in AI- and machine-learning-based software or product engineering, and familiarity with test and validation principles and GxP validation.
  • Experience architecting, building, and maintaining large-scale data and AI solutions in a scientific, regulated, or research-heavy environment.
  • Understanding of life sciences research and development business processes.
  • Experience working with relevant life sciences datasets such as claims, clinical trial data, regulatory data, quality data, and other life sciences operations datasets.
  • An understanding of data's role in AI, including data collection, governance, and structuring a problem for better AI outcomes.
Responsibilities
  • Develop a product vision and roadmap for AI-driven solutions, aligning AI capabilities with business objectives, technology, and market trends.
  • Implement data science and AI portfolio objectives and contribute to data and analytics strategies, particularly to augment and accelerate research and development operations using AI.
  • Experiment with, develop, train, or fine-tune AI models for business problems and processes, and validate and evaluate them for inclusion in broader solutions.
  • Investigate and conduct proof-of-concept initiatives and develop AI applications using large language models and generative AI to enhance data analytics and accelerate candidates across drug development phases.
  • Use data analysis and key performance indicators to monitor product performance and make informed decisions, considering AI-model evaluation metrics and business value in pharmaceutical research and development and enterprise use cases.
  • Build AI solutions for drug development, clinical trials, and external healthcare data that conform to responsible AI, privacy by design, and regulatory compliance.
  • Deliver AI-enabled products that build trust, drive adoption, and lead to transformation, using a design-centric approach grounded in user needs, processes, regulations, and responsible AI.
  • Provide technical input on AI ecosystem capabilities, platforms, frameworks, and architecture, including solution evolution and new capability development.
  • Guide developers and technical team members and direct vendors, providing oversight on AI concepts and implementation.
  • Stay current with industry advancements in AI, machine learning, research and development processes, and data, and provide insights to help team leadership influence technical roadmaps and strategy.
  • Identify and apply analytical solutions and AI tools, methodologies, and technologies, including generative AI and machine learning applied to internal and external data.
  • Design, implement, and deploy agentic AI systems using perception, planning, reasoning, orchestration, execution, and reflection loops.
  • Oversee the lifecycle management and revisions of AI solutions, including machine-learning models, large language models, and agents in production environments.
  • Lead efforts to support adoption of new AI technologies and develop processes to optimize data and analytics systems and their execution, ensuring responsible use of emerging technology.
  • Lead or assist in reviewing AI and machine-learning use cases to ensure AI guidelines, frameworks, platform components, and responsible AI are enabled.
  • Act as an AI solution subject matter expert on cross-functional initiatives, providing thought leadership and execution support for data engineering needs.
  • Identify and resolve potential issues during development and production support of data analytics and AI applications.
  • Develop reusable data and AI solution components and promote their use across the data and AI ecosystem and business functions, including clinical operations, asset management, quality, safety, regulatory, real-world data, and enterprise functions.
  • Collaborate with technical, semi-technical, and business stakeholders to lead and align teams including data scientists, engineers, designers, marketing, legal, and executives.
  • Guide and manage stakeholders by communicating AI progress, outcomes, impact, limitations, and risks, and managing expectations.
  • Bridge communication between technical AI teams and non-technical business stakeholders.
  • Partner with internal functional areas and external partners to conceptualize, develop, or co-develop AI and machine-learning capabilities, leveraging AI engineering, data engineering, platform architecture and engineering, infrastructure, and IT teams.
  • Collaborate with internal data and AI scientists, IT, and cloud architects to align data infrastructure and technical solutions with enterprise architecture and compliance needs, leveraging existing team and organizational capabilities.
  • Collaborate with legal, privacy, and ethics teams to address algorithmic bias, fairness, transparency, and data privacy.
  • Ensure effective operations while adapting to ambiguity, experimentation, and iteration in AI product development.
  • Think beyond features and curate intelligence and context that drives product evolution.
Desired Qualifications
  • A PhD is preferred.
  • Strong experience in the pharmaceutical, biotech, or life sciences industry, particularly in drug development, clinical trials, or research and development.
  • A proven track record of implementing and deploying generative AI and large language model applications in production environments.
  • A proven track record of implementing proof-of-concept and production-grade AI, machine-learning, generative AI, and large language model applications.

About the company

Otsuka Pharmaceutical develops and markets medicines and health products worldwide, including prescription drugs and nutraceutical beverages. Its product lineup ranges from pharmaceutical treatments such as Abilify (an antipsychotic) to consumer health drinks like Pocari Sweat, which helps replenish electrolytes. Abilify works as a psychiatric medication used to treat conditions such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, while Pocari Sweat is an ion-replacement beverage designed to restore minerals and fluids after activity or heat. The company differentiates itself through a long history dating back to its founding in 1921, a broad, globally scaled portfolio spanning drugs and health beverages, and a focus on health improvements across populations. Its stated goal is to create new products for better health worldwide.

Company Size

1,001-5,000

Company Stage

IPO

Headquarters

Tokyo, Japan

Founded

1921

Get referred to Otsuka Pharmaceutical

See people who can refer or advise you

Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • VOYXACT's August 2026 two-year data supports a supplemental FDA approval filing.
  • Transcend acquisition closed June 15, 2026, adding a differentiated neuropsychiatry pipeline.
  • Paradise renal denervation gained Japan insurance coverage March 1, 2026, accelerating sales.

What critics are saying

  • Abilify patents keep expiring through 2027, pressuring a legacy revenue engine.
  • Otsuka v Sun Pharma in Australia threatens ABILIFY MAINTENA patent-extension protection.
  • Transcend's PTSD asset, TSND-201, reaches Phase 3 completion only in late 2027.

What makes Otsuka Pharmaceutical unique

  • Otsuka pairs pharmaceuticals, devices, and diagnostics across renal, psychiatric, and cardiovascular care.
  • SIMTRIYO, approved July 23, 2026, is the first approved NDSRI for ADHD.
  • VOYXACT delivered 24-month eGFR stabilization, strengthening Otsuka's IgA nephropathy leadership.

Help us improve and share your feedback! Did you find this helpful?

Benefits

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

401(k) Company Match

Tuition Reimbursement

Student Loan Assistance

Paid Holidays

Growth & Insights and Company News

Headcount

6 month growth

0%

1 year growth

0%

2 year growth

0%
Otsuka US
Sep 20th, 2026
Otsuka Completes Acquisition of Transcend Therapeutics to Advance Next-Generation Neuropsychiatric Treatments | Otsuka US

Otsuka America, Inc., a subsidiary of Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. has completed the acquisition of Transcend Therapeutics, Inc., a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing a rapid-acting treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This is the latest in a series of investments Otsuka has made to advance next-generation treatments for serious neuropsychiatric conditions.

Associated Press
Jul 25th, 2026
FDA approves Otsuka's Simtriyo, first-in-class ADHD treatment for adults and children 6+

Otsuka Pharmaceutical has received FDA approval for SIMTRIYO (centanafadine), the first norepinephrine, dopamine, serotonin reuptake inhibitor for treating ADHD in adults and children aged six years and older weighing at least 20kg. The once-daily extended-release capsule will be available later this year following DEA scheduling. The approval is based on four Phase 3 clinical trials showing statistically significant improvements in ADHD symptoms compared to placebo, with benefits observed as early as week one. Common side effects include decreased appetite, nausea, rash, and headache. ADHD affects approximately 7 million children and 15.5 million adults in the US. The drug carries boxed warnings for suicidal ideation in pediatric patients and potential for abuse and addiction.

SonoThera
Jun 10th, 2026
SonoThera Closes Oversubscribed $125 Million Series B Financing to Advance Clinical Development of Ultrasound-Mediated Nonviral Genetic Medicines - SonoThera

SAN FRANCISCO–SonoThera, a biotechnology company developing next-generation genetic medicines to address the root causes of disease, today announced the closing of an oversubscribed $125 million Series B financing round to advance its lead programs in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) into the clinic and expand its pipeline of targeted, redosable genetic medicines.

Dealroom.co
Mar 27th, 2026
Transcend Therapeutics company information, funding & investors

Transcend Therapeutics, developing the next generation of psychoactive compounds for neuropsychiatry focused on patient access. Here you'll find information about their funding, investors and team.

Fierce Biotech
Mar 27th, 2026
Otsuka buys Transcend Therapeutics for $700M upfront in psychiatric drugs deal

Otsuka Pharmaceutical has acquired Transcend Therapeutics for $700 million upfront through its subsidiary Otsuka America, with potential milestone payments of up to $525 million. The deal gives Otsuka access to Transcend's MDMA analogue for psychiatric conditions currently in development.