What are the responsibilities and job description for the Associate Director, Enterprise Data Science (Staff Data Scientist) position at SLAS (Society for Laboratory Automation and Screening)?
Position Summary
As an Associate Director within the INDIGO | AI Innovation Lab, you will lead the development and scaling of data science capabilities across the enterprise while acting as a technical expert and mentor within the team. You will take ownership of key projects and work closely with senior stakeholders to deliver data science-driven solutions that align with enterprise goals. This is a hands-on role where you will develop and implement cutting- edge data science solutions, build and maintain digital products, and enable the democratization of data through scalable tools and best practices. The ideal candidate will have a strong technical foundation in AI‑driven operations analytics across the pharmaceutical value chain - including supply chain, manufacturing, quality, EH&S, and business process excellence; inquisitive data science skills; clear and compelling communication skills; an exceptional sense of ownership and accountability; and experience in the pharmaceutical or health‑related industry.
This role is based in our Waltham location and would work a hybrid weekly office schedule.
Key Responsibilities
Support and Scale Data Science Use Cases
As an Associate Director within the INDIGO | AI Innovation Lab, you will lead the development and scaling of data science capabilities across the enterprise while acting as a technical expert and mentor within the team. You will take ownership of key projects and work closely with senior stakeholders to deliver data science-driven solutions that align with enterprise goals. This is a hands-on role where you will develop and implement cutting- edge data science solutions, build and maintain digital products, and enable the democratization of data through scalable tools and best practices. The ideal candidate will have a strong technical foundation in AI‑driven operations analytics across the pharmaceutical value chain - including supply chain, manufacturing, quality, EH&S, and business process excellence; inquisitive data science skills; clear and compelling communication skills; an exceptional sense of ownership and accountability; and experience in the pharmaceutical or health‑related industry.
This role is based in our Waltham location and would work a hybrid weekly office schedule.
Key Responsibilities
Support and Scale Data Science Use Cases
- Develop and deploy complex analytical models and insights to inform strategic decisions
- Implement data science solutions, including but not limited to agentic AI applications and predictive ML models
- Develop pilot operations planning and optimization use cases using established operations research methodologies, with a focus on validation, impact, and scalable deployment
- Scale proof-of-concept data science ideas and products into maintainable production software services; Leverage best practices for production-ready code development and DevOps to build solutions that are stable, efficient, and scalable
- Act as a key partner to cross-functional teams, providing technical and strategic guidance in the design, development, and implementation of digital products, optimization tools, and AI-driven solutions
- Serve as a trusted advisor to stakeholders helping them understand INDIGO’s capabilities and guiding them in translating complex business challenges into high‑impact data science use cases
- Facilitate structured discovery and problem-framing sessions to identify root causes, uncover operational inefficiencies, and prioritize opportunities where AI/ML, optimization, or automation can drive measurable value
- Collaborate closely with domain experts to ensure models and solutions reflect real-world constraints and operational realities
- Influence decision-making through clear, actionable communication, synthesizing complex analytical results into insights that resonate with both technical and non‑technical audiences
- Champion change management and adoption, ensuring stakeholders understand, trust, and effectively integrate new AI/ML tools into their workflows
- Build long-term partnerships with business owners, fostering ongoing collaboration, feedback loops, and continuous improvement for products and models in production
- Design and build production‑grade digital tools, reusable frameworks, and scalable AI/ML platforms that drive operational performance and enterprise efficiency while establishing consistent, reusable foundations for all current and future AI applications
- Lead and manage high-impact data science initiatives across the organization, including scope, timelines, and resource needs
- Evangelize and contribute to scaled adoption of ML and AI capabilities across the organization
- Stay updated with advancements in data science and integrate emerging technologies into solutions where applicable
- Track and report progress on data science initiatives while accounting for shifting priorities and timelines to ensure alignment with strategic objectives
- Champion FAIR principles and guide the organization in their application to ensure long-term data usability and accessibility
- Bring end-to-end product lifecycle management mindset to INDIGO initiatives, with a clear focus on optimizing long-term value of developed products and capabilities
- Take ownership of INDIGO products within the operations domain, ensuring products’ reliability, scalability, and continued business relevance. Play a key role in shaping portfolio strategy by contributing expert judgment and nuanced thinking on the direction, growth, and integration of the products they own
- Mentor and develop the talent supporting their product portfolio, fostering a collaborative and continuously learning team environment