ICON plc is a world-leading healthcare intelligence and clinical research organization. We’re proud to foster an inclusive environment driving innovation and excellence, and we welcome you to join us on our mission to shape the future of clinical development
We are looking for an experienced Principal Programmer to join our FSP team, embedded with one of the world’s leading pharmaceutical organisations. This is a high‑impact role for a programming leader who is passionate about using R to drive modern, high‑quality clinical data analysis and enjoys working as a true partner to stakeholders.
At ICON, FSP roles offer the best of both worlds: the stability and career development of a global CRO, combined with deep integration, influence, and visibility within a single, world‑class pharma environment.
What You’ll Be DoingActing as lead programmer across multiple complex studies for a dedicated FSP sponsor, taking ownership of deliverables from start to finish.
Serving as a technical and people leader, supporting and mentoring junior and senior programmers while maintaining strong, day‑to‑day sponsor relationships.
Working closely with biostatisticians to translate analysis plans into robust, well‑designed R programs that meet scientific and regulatory expectations.
Driving high‑quality, reproducible programming, performing QC reviews and ensuring consistency, accuracy, and traceability of statistical outputs.
Contributing to regulatory submissions, reports, and publications that support critical development milestones.
Playing a key role in modernising programming approaches, identifying efficiencies, and promoting best practices in R within a regulated environment.
A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Statistics, Mathematics, Computer Science, or a related discipline.
Significant experience in statistical programming within clinical research or pharma, with strong, hands‑on expertise in R (SAS experience is valuable, but R is central to this role).
A solid understanding of statistical principles and their application in clinical trials.
Proven ability to lead work, solve complex problems, and maintain high standards under delivery pressure.
Excellent communication skills, with the confidence to engage directly with sponsor teams and explain complex analyses clearly.
Dedicated FSP model, embedded with a single, globally recognised pharma sponsor.
R‑driven environment where you can influence and advance modern statistical programming practices.
Leadership and visibility, this is a trusted advisor role with real impact on study success.
Career stability and progression, backed by ICON’s global scale and reputation.
What ICON can offer you:
Our success depends on the quality of our people. That’s why we’ve made it a priority to build a diverse culture that rewards high performance and nurtures talent.
In addition to your competitive salary, ICON offers a range of additional benefits. Our benefits are designed to be competitive within each country and are focused on well-being and work life balance opportunities for you and your family.
Our benefits examples include:
Various annual leave entitlements
A range of health insurance offerings to suit you and your family’s needs.
Competitive retirement planning offerings to maximize savings and plan with confidence for the years ahead.
Global Employee Assistance Programme, TELUS Health, offering 24-hour access to a global network of over 80,000 independent specialised professionals who are there to support you and your family’s well-being.
Life assurance
Flexible country-specific optional benefits, including childcare vouchers, bike purchase schemes, discounted gym memberships, subsidised travel passes, health assessments, among others.
Visit our careers site to read more about the benefits ICON offers.
At ICON, inclusion & belonging are fundamental to our culture and values. We’re dedicated to providing an inclusive and accessible environment for all candidates. ICON is committed to providing a workplace free of discrimination and harassment. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.
If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process, or in order to perform the essential functions of a position, please let us know or submit a request here.
Interested in the role, but unsure if you meet all of the requirements? We would encourage you to apply regardless – there’s every chance you’re exactly what we’re looking for here at ICON whether it is for this or other roles.
Are you a current ICON Employee? Please click here to apply
Top Skills
What We Do
Since our foundation in Dublin, Ireland in 1990, our mission has been to help our clients to accelerate the development of drugs and devices that save lives and improve quality of life. We do this by delivering best in class information, solutions and performance, with an unyielding focus on quality at all times. We offer a full range of consulting, development and commercialisation services from a global network of offices in 53 countries. We focus our innovation on the factors that are critical to our clients – reducing time to market, reducing cost, and increasing quality – and our global team of experts has extensive experience in a broad range of therapeutic areas.
