BioPharmaceuticals R&D, Respiratory & Immunology, Precision Medicine Discovery Immunology

Location: Cambridge, UK, Gothenburg, Sweden or Gaithersburg, MD USA

AstraZeneca is a global Biopharmaceutical business that focuses on the discovery, development and commercialization of prescription medicines for some of the world's most serious diseases. But we are more than just one of the world's leading pharmaceutical companies. At AstraZeneca, we're proud to have a unique workplace culture that encourages innovation and partnership through scientific research. Employees are empowered to express different perspectives and are made to feel valued, energized and rewarded for their ideas and creativity.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

The Respiratory & Immunology Translational Science and Experimental Medicine department is a fast-paced environment, with a culture that is both science-based and patient-focused. Our mission is to understand disease mechanisms at the molecular level, identify the most effective target and the right patient population, and to close the gap between bench science and bedside clinical practice.

A key role of Precision Medicine Discovery Immunology is to lead the development of precision medicine in Immunology diseases, driving patient segmentation and delivering translational clinical validation underpinned by the understanding of disease relevant pathways and drivers.

The Translational Science Lead (TSL) Immunology is a key scientific and strategic role where you will be focusing on:

• delivering precision medicine strategies to select the patients most likely to benefit from our medicines in early/late clinical studies
• building mechanistic understanding of the target and disease through innovative application of experimental methods and technologies
• building the translational clinical validation package for Immunology targets and utilising public and proprietary biobanks, to better understand responding sub populations, biomarkers and the biology of our drug targets
• identifying and enabling Proof of Mechanism (PoM) biomarkers to demonstrate target engagement at First-In-Human (FIH)

The TSL is accountable as a member of a project team for the precision medicine strategy and clinical target validation strategy. Continuously collaborating with functions within and outside Early Respiratory and Immunology will be crucial to strengthen the link between targets and disease phenotypes and endotypes and bring precision medicine propositions to the clinic and subsequently to market. The TSL is both a laboratory and project role, requiring flexibility to ensure all translational aspects of the projects are supported according to timelines.

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This is a high-profile role requiring an individual with outstanding communication and leadership skills. Vital to this role is the ability to build collaborations in biosciences, clinical development, clinical biostatistics, bioinformatics/data sciences and other functions within AstraZeneca and to work effectively with external vendors and academic collaborators.

The individual must be a strong scientific and strategic leader who can work within a fast-paced organization. Publication of manuscripts in top-tier scientific, technical or medical journals is encouraged, thereby contributing to AstraZeneca’s scientific leadership.

Qualifications & Skills

• Understanding of immunology, autoimmunity and/or inflammatory therapy areas and disease biology, including related molecular pathways and mechanisms
• Experience and knowledge of the biological basis for target engagement biomarkers and familiar with PoM biomarker development and implementation
• Experience and knowledge of the biological basis for patient segmentation, precision medicine and familiar with patient selection biomarker development and implementation
• Experience in the development and execution of biomarker and precision medicine strategies as part of clinical studies
• Broad understanding of relevant technologies and methodologies along with excellent scientific laboratory skills and ability to experimentally address key scientific questions
• Ability to assess vendor options for collection of data sets and to secure delivery of these data sets
• A record of innovative contributions to translational research in immunology, inflammatory and/or autoimmune diseases, as evidenced by a publication record, inventorship on patents/filings and/or presentations at major conferences
• Exceptional organizational skills with attention to detail; proven project management skills
• Outstanding verbal and written communication skills; ability to write technical reports and to present sophisticated data
• Strong leadership and collaboration skills to work and lead in a matrix environment which includes research, clinical development and commercial functions

Education/Experience

• PhD or equivalent with a strong experimental drive and background in relevant scientific field
• A minimum of 5 years post-doc experience
• Experience in an industry setting (desirable)

Date Posted

Closing Date

AstraZeneca embraces diversity and equality of opportunity.  We are committed to building an inclusive and diverse team representing all backgrounds, with as wide a range of perspectives as possible, and harnessing industry-leading skills.  We believe that the more inclusive we are, the better our work will be.  We welcome and consider applications to join our team from all qualified candidates, regardless of their characteristics.  We comply with all applicable laws and regulations on non-discrimination in employment (and recruitment), as well as work authorization and employment eligibility verification requirements.