Clinical SDTM Programmer
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.
Step into a role where your expertise in SDTM programming and clinical data standards truly shapes the success of global clinical trials. As a home-based Clinical Programmer dedicated to one of the world’s most respected pharmaceutical organisations, you’ll join a culture that rewards performance, values innovation, and encourages individuality.
This is an opportunity for clinical programmers who want to operate with significant SDTM oversight, influence data quality at scale, and contribute to submission‑ready packages that stand up to scrutiny from global health authorities.
What You’ll Do
As a key programming expert, you’ll partner closely with Data Management and Clinical Data Standards to drive all programming deliverables from initial study start-up through to regulatory submission.
Your core responsibilities include:
SDTM Leadership & Oversight
Lead and oversee all SDTM deliverables, ensuring they are submission-ready, compliant, and aligned with CDISC standards.
Provide authoritative guidance on SDTM data structures, define.xml, controlled terminology, and cSDRGs.
Design, review, and approve data mapping algorithms—especially for non-standard or complex conversions.
Programming Excellence
Ensure delivery of high-quality datasets through rigorous quality checks, including Pinnacle 21 compliance, data validation, and readiness assessments prior to database lock.
Program (or oversee programming of) quality review listings, edit checks, custom reports, and data visualizations used across study teams.
Cross-Functional Impact
Collaborate with Data Managers, Statisticians, Medical Reviewers, and Standards teams to ensure datasets are accurate, accessible, and fit-for-purpose.
Support adaptive designs, central monitoring, and medical review with expertly structured data.
Tools & Technical Mastery
Work hands-on with SAS and SQL to support and troubleshoot complex programming tasks.
Build proficiency with key platforms including Medidata Rave, LSAF, and Pinnacle 21.
Maintain up-to-date knowledge of CDISC standards—SDTM, CDASH, controlled terminology, and define.xml.
What You Bring
We’re looking for programmers who combine technical depth with strong communication and organizational skills. You will thrive here if you enjoy owning deliverables, influencing cross-functional teams, and acting as a subject matter expert in SDTM.
You’ll need:
A Bachelor’s degree (or higher/equivalent) in Computer Science, Data Science, Data Engineering, Mathematics, or similar scientific fields.
Experience in clinical programming within a clinical trial environment.
Expert-level SAS programming skills and in-depth understanding of SDTM, define.xml, aCRFs, cSDRGs, and clinical data structures.
Strong project management capability and proven ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced setting.
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, LifeWorks, offering 24-hour access to a global network of over 80,000 independent specialized 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, subsidized 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