Senior R&D Data Scientist

DESCRIPTION

Driven by a commitment to research, quality, and service, PDI provides innovative products, educational resources, training, and support to prevent infection transmission and promote health and wellness. Encompassing three areas, our Healthcare, Sani Professional and Contract manufacturing divisions, we develop, manufacture, and distribute leading edge products for North America and the world. We have several locations across the US and are looking for new Associates to join our team!

POSITION PURPOSE

PDI is seeking a Senior Data Scientist to help lead the digital transformation of R&D by building connected, AI-ready data and analytics capabilities across the organization.

This role will design, build, and operate systems that collect, structure, and analyze scientific data from R&D laboratories to accelerate product development, improve decision-making, reduce manual effort, and strengthen compliance across regulated environments. The position partners closely with R&D, Quality, IT, and external vendors to integrate laboratory instrumentation, automate workflows, and develop scalable analytical and machine learning capabilities across the R&D lifecycle.

WHY YOU'LL LOVE THIS ROLE

• Opportunity to help shape the future of digital R&D within a growing organization
• Highly visible role partnering across Science, Quality, and Technology
• Ability to influence foundational AI and analytics capabilities
• Work in a regulated environment where innovation and scientific rigor intersect

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Define and maintain scientific data standards, metadata structures, and governance practices across R&D workflows
• Ensure data integrity, traceability, and compliance with ALCOA+ and 21 CFR Part 11 principles
• Validate data transformations and ensure scientific validity is preserved throughout the data lifecycle, from raw instrument output through interpreted results
• Lead structured recovery and AI-enabled extraction of historical R&D data to unlock reusable scientific knowledge and improve discoverability of prior experiments and learnings
• Translate scientific and business problems into analytical and statistical solutions
• Apply modeling and experimental design techniques such as DOE, chemometrics, predictive analytics, and machine learning methodologies
• Develop ML-ready datasets and reusable data structures to support advanced analytics and automation
• Partner with scientists, IT, and vendors to integrate laboratory instrumentation with digital data environments
• Define instrument-level data capture, metadata schemas, and audit trail requirements to support traceability, compliance, and scalable analytics
• Translate laboratory workflows into scalable digital processes and systems
• Serve as a key technical liaison between R&D and IT for scientific data architecture and digital initiatives
• Train and support scientists on digital tools, data capture best practices, and analytical workflows
• Translate scientific, regulatory, and business requirements into practical, scalable technical solutions
• Ensure inspection readiness and traceability from raw scientific data through analytical interpretation and decision-making
• Help drive the transition from intuition-based to evidence-based scientific decision-making across R&D

WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE

• Increased automation and reduced manual effort across R&D workflows
• Improved accessibility, reuse, and integrity of scientific data
• Faster and more informed scientific decision-making
• Reduction in redundant experimentation and development inefficiencies
• Increased adoption and effectiveness of digital and analytical tools
• Development of scalable, compliant, and AI-ready data environments
• Strong cross-functional collaboration across R&D, Quality, IT, and external partners

QUALIFICATIONS

Education

MS or PhD strongly preferred in a quantitative or scientific discipline such as:

• Data Science
• Statistics or Applied Mathematics
• Chemistry or Chemical Engineering
• Computational Chemistry/Physics
• Bioinformatics

Required Knowledge & Experience

• 6+ years of combined experience across areas such as:




• Statistical modeling and advanced analytics
• Scientific data engineering and transformation
• Laboratory instrumentation and scientific software platforms
• AI/ML-enabled analytical workflows




• Experience with Python, R, SQL, JMP, or similar analytical tools
• Experience with DOE, predictive analytics, statistical modeling, and machine learning methodologies
• Familiarity with laboratory data sources including formulation, analytical, and stability data
• Understanding of regulated environments including FDA, EPA, Medical Device, and/or Cosmetic frameworks

Preferred

• Experience with LIMS, ELN, or scientific informatics platforms
• Knowledge of 21 CFR Part 11, audit trails, and data integrity principles
• Experience supporting regulated product development environments
• Exposure to AI/ML platform engineering or workflow deployment

Skills & Abilities

• Strong communication and collaboration skills across technical and non-technical teams
• Ability to translate complex scientific workflows into scalable digital systems
• Comfortable operating across R&D, Quality, Informatics, and IT environments
• Strong analytical thinking and problem-solving capabilities

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Some work on laboratory systems may be required, resulting in a hybrid office and lab environment.

SALARY RANGE

• $140,000 - $150,000 annually

BENEFITS

PDI is pleased to offer comprehensive and affordable benefits for our associates, which includes:

• Medical, behavioral & prescription drug coverage
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Dental
• Vision
• 401(k) savings plan with company match and profit sharing
• Basic and supplemental Life and AD&D insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
• Short & long-term disability
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Health Advocacy Program

PDI also offers many voluntary benefits such as: Legal services, critical illness, hospital indemnity, accident coverage, ID theft and fraud protection, pet insurance and employee discounts.

At PDI, we are also committed to helping our associates maintain a healthy and sustainable work/life balance and are proud to provide associates with paid time off programs including: sick & safe leave, vacation, company & floating holidays, paid parental leave, and depending on the position we also offer summer hours and flex place/flex time options.