Senior COA Scientist, Scoring & Interpretation
Job Summary
Senior COA Scientist Scoring and Interpretation
About the role
This role serves as ascientific lead for the interpretation documentation and governance of Clinical Outcome Assessment (COA) scoring algorithms. The position is responsible for translating complex source materialsincluding scoring manuals publications and author guidanceinto scientifically robust implementation-ready requirements while resolving ambiguity in scoring logic missing-data handling and interpretation.
Acting as the critical bridge between COA source documentation and downstream statistical product engineering and operational teams the role ensures scoring methodologies are accurately implemented clinically meaningful and aligned with validated instrument standards.
The role also contributes to strengthening IQVIAs scoring capability by developing reusable scientific assets standardised documentation practices and governance frameworks that enable consistent high-quality deployment of scoring solutions across delivery models and technologies.
Role & Responsibilities
Provide scientific leadership across COA evaluation and implementation applying expertise in measure development instrument documentation scoring methodology and interpretation to ensure outputs are scientifically robust and fit for clinical research use.
Contribute to high-quality COA science across the organisation by supporting methodological best practices reviewing scientific deliverables collaborating with cross-functional teams and strengthening scalable processes for both instrument-related and scoring-related work
Interpret scoring manuals instrument documentation publications and related source materials to define scientifically valid implementation-ready scoring requirements including score structures derivations recoding transformations weighting conditional logic among others.
Define and document missing-data handling rules minimum completion thresholds suppression logic and other algorithm requirements where source guidance is incomplete ambiguous or complex.
Assess and document interpretation guidance associated with COA scores including severity bands score meaning benchmarks and other clinically relevant interpretation outputs where supported.
Identify evaluate and resolve ambiguities in scoring methodology escalating appropriately when scientific judgement author clarification or senior SME input is required.
Partner with statisticians programmers product and engineering teams to translate scientific requirements into validated scoring implementations.
Investigate discrepancies implausible outputs and scoring-related issues to determine root cause and support robust resolution.
Serve as the scientific point of contact for internal queries related to scoring logic interpretation algorithm complexity and implementation feasibility.
Contribute to standard templates SOPs review checklists and reusable scientific assets that improve the quality consistency and scalability of scoring operations.
Required Qualifications - our ideal candidate will have
Advanced degree (PhD MSc MPH PharmD psychology outcomes research public health psychometrics epidemiology health sciences or related discipline).
Minimum 7 years of relevant experience in COA science outcomes research psychometrics patient-centred research or closely related scientific roles within pharma CRO healthcare research or instrument development.
Experience with instrument development validation psychometric evidence or interpretation / meaningful-change work.
Deep familiarity with COA concepts including domains scoring structures recall periods missing-data rules interpretation and fit-for-purpose use in clinical research.
Strong demonstrable experience interpreting and applying scoring methodologies for clinical outcome assessments including at least some experience beyond simple sum or average scoring.
Demonstrable experience translating scientific source materials into structured documentation specifications reports or implementation guidance.
Ability to evaluate ambiguous or incomplete source documentation and make sound well-documented scientific judgements or escalations.
Strong stakeholder management skills and ability to work across scientific operational quantitative and technical teams.
Excellent written English and strong documentation discipline.
Additional Requirements
Experience supporting regulated or audit-sensitive clinical research workflows.
Experience supervising or reviewing work from more junior scientists analysts or cross-functional partners.
THIS ROLE IS NOT OPEN TO VISA SPONSORSHIP. PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR CV IN ENGLISH
IQVIA is a leading global provider of clinical research services commercial insights and healthcare intelligence to the life sciences and healthcare industries. We create intelligent connections to accelerate the development and commercialization of innovative medical treatments to help improve patient outcomes and population health worldwide. Learn more at
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Required Experience:
Senior IC
About Company
IQVIA is the Human Data Science Company™. We are inspired by the industry we serve and provide solutions that enable life sciences companies to innovate with confidence, maximize opportunities and ultimately drive human health outcomes forward. Our approach is Human Data Science – a d ... View more