About This Role:
As a Principal Developer within the Data Visualization and Application Development (DVAD) team, you will play a pivotal role in designing and delivering high-quality applications and data visualizations that support clinical trial processes.
Working in a collaborative and innovative environment, you will design and develop web applications that are robust, intuitive, and impactful, using modern web technologies including React.js/Node.js. You will transform complex clinical and operational data into impactful tools that drive efficiency and enhance drug development outcomes.
You will operate with a high degree of independence, contributing to technical strategy, evaluating architectures, and solving complex problems. Acting as a technical expert, you may also guide others and help shape best practices aligned with the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC).
A key part of this role is engaging with users and stakeholders—understanding requirements, communicating complex concepts clearly, and ensuring solutions are user-centered, accessible, and deliver meaningful business value.
This is hybrid role requiring 50% of each week to be spent on site in the offices in Maidenhead.
What You’ll Do:
Design, develop, and enhance web applications and data visualizations for clinical trial environments
Evaluate technical architectures and make informed development decisions
Develop solutions using modern web technologies (React.js, Node.js)
Build responsive, user-friendly interfaces using modern UI and CSS principles
Use Git/GitHub for version control and collaborative development
Partner with stakeholders to deliver tools aligned to user needs; conduct requirements gathering, user testing, and ensure user-centered design and accessibility
Actively incorporate user feedback to enhance tools and share learnings across the team
Stay current with emerging technologies and explore responsible use of AI in development
Who You Are:
You are an innovative and curious developer with a strong passion for building applications and visualizations that translate complex data into meaningful insights. You thrive in collaborative environments while also being comfortable working independently on complex challenges.
You are user-focused, with a strong ability to understand business needs and translate them into effective technical solutions. You communicate clearly with both technical and non-technical audiences and build strong, trusted relationships with stakeholders.
With a continuous learning mindset, you stay ahead of industry trends and are motivated by making a tangible impact in clinical and data-driven environments.
Required Skills:
University degree (e.g., Computer Science or related field) or equivalent experience
Strong expertise in web development (React.js, Node.js), preferably within the pharmaceutical industry:
State management patterns and performance optimization
Complex component architecture / modular design
DRY front-end architecture
Responsive UI development
Utility-first CSS architecture a plus
Strong knowledge of Git/GitHub for version control
Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to handle complex technical challenges
Experience in user testing
Good verbal and written communication skills
Ability to work both independently and collaboratively
Preferred Skills:
Understanding of clinical trial roles and processes (including knowledge of GxP/GCP)
Familiarity with PHP
Relational databases, such as MySQL, and general data engineering practices
Strong R knowledge; including Shiny, Markdown and package management
Experience with data platforms such as Snowflake or Databricks
Code testing (unit tests, load tests, etc)
Experience in user-centered design, requirements gathering, and web accessibility
Experience working in small, high-impact product teams
Interest or experience in AI-supported development practices
Why Biogen?
We are a global team with a commitment to excellence, and a pioneering spirit. As a mid-sized biotechnology company, we provide the stability and resources of a well-established business while fostering an environment where individual contributions make a significant impact. Our team encompasses some of the most talented and passionate achievers who have unparalleled opportunities for learning, growth, and expanding their skills. Above all, we work together to deliver life-changing medicines, with every role playing a vital part in our mission. Caring Deeply. Achieving Excellence. Changing Lives.
At Biogen, we are committed to building on our culture of inclusion and belonging that reflects the communities where we operate and the patients we serve. We know that diverse backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives make us a stronger and more innovative company, and we are focused on building teams where every employee feels empowered and inspired. Read on to learn more about Biogen.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, race, color, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, religion, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information or any other basis protected by federal, state or local law. Biogen is an E-Verify Employer in the United States.
Skills Required
- University degree in Computer Science or related field or equivalent experience
- Expertise in web development using React.js
- Expertise in server-side development using Node.js
- Knowledge of state management patterns and performance optimization
- Experience designing complex component architecture and modular front-end systems
- DRY front-end architecture and responsive UI development
- Familiarity with utility-first CSS architectures (preferred enhancement)
- Proficient with Git and GitHub for version control
- Experience conducting user testing and incorporating feedback
- Strong problem-solving skills and ability to handle complex technical challenges
- Good verbal and written communication skills and stakeholder engagement
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively in teams
- Understanding of clinical trial roles and GxP/GCP (preferred)
- Familiarity with PHP (preferred)
- Experience with relational databases such as MySQL and general data engineering practices (preferred)
- Strong R knowledge including Shiny, R Markdown, and package management (preferred)
- Experience with data platforms such as Snowflake or Databricks (preferred)
- Experience with code testing (unit tests, load tests) (preferred)
- Experience in user-centered design and web accessibility (preferred)
- Experience working in small, high-impact product teams (preferred)
- Interest or experience in AI-supported development practices (preferred)
Biogen Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Biogen and has not been reviewed or approved by Biogen.
-
Fair & Transparent Compensation — Pay is generally positioned as competitive and often perceived as fair across roles, with total compensation framed as strong when bonus and equity are included. Compensation sentiment is described as above-average overall, though it varies by function and business cycle.
-
Equity Value & Accessibility — Equity programs are repeatedly highlighted as a meaningful part of the total package, including stock programs and an employee stock purchase plan. Equity and bonus elements are portrayed as important contributors to feeling well rewarded beyond base pay.
-
Leave & Time Off Breadth — Time-off benefits are described as distinctive, including a year-end shutdown and a paid sabbatical after extended tenure. Vacation, holidays, sick time, and personal-significance days are also presented as supportive of work-life needs.
Biogen Insights
What We Do
Through cutting-edge science and medicine, Biogen discovers, develops and delivers innovative therapies worldwide for people living with serious neurological and neurodegenerative diseases. Founded in 1978, Biogen is a pioneer in biotechnology and today the Company has the leading portfolio of medicines to treat multiple sclerosis, has introduced the first and only approved treatment for spinal muscular atrophy, and is at the forefront of neurology research for conditions including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Biogen also manufactures and commercializes biosimilars of advanced biologics. With approximately 7000 people worldwide, we are truly a global organization, headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, which is also home to our research operations. Our international headquarters are based in Zug, Switzerland and we have world-class manufacturing facilities in North Carolina and Denmark. We offer therapies globally through direct affiliate presence in 30 countries and a network of distribution partners in over 50 additional countries. For more information, please visit www.biogen.com. Follow us on social media – Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube.
