Associate Director, Systems Medicine

The Systems Medicine group is seeking a Systems Modeler passionate about using mathematical and computational skills to develop and apply empirical and/or mechanistic models of Pharmacology and Toxicology. The group is under Clinical Pharmacology & Quantitative Pharmacology Department and consists of20mathematical modelers with backgrounds inapplied biomathematicscomputational biology and/or biomedical/chemical engineering.

Working in a dynamic multidisciplinary environment the successful candidate support projects in both non-clinical and clinical phases. The candidate will develop and apply pharmacological mechanistic systems models to contribute to decisions on dose regimens by balancing efficacy and safety via modelling & simulation based on the understanding of the mechanism of action of investigational role will include opportunities to develop and apply Quantitative Systems Pharmacology (QSP)and Toxicology (QST)models including incorporation of virtual populations to support translational decision-making and dose/schedule selection.In addition the incumbent will develop QSP&T models based onMicrophysiologicalSystems (organ-on-chips and organoids).

To succeed in this role we believe you have drug developmentexperienceand you are a person who enjoys working collaboratively with a variety of key stakeholders and collaborators toidentifyopportunities build support and deliver innovative modelling and simulation or exposure in modalities such as immune cell engagers antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) andradioconjugates(RCs) would be valuable.

Main responsibilities:

• Createexpandor refine mathematical models to address drug-discovery and nonclinical/clinical development questions

• Lead compound-specific projects with hands-on analysis by choosing the best modelling approach to address questions

• Contribute to the design execution and interpretation of clinical studies

• Develop and apply clinical QSP&Tmodels including virtual population approaches to support prediction of efficacy safety and dose regimens in clinical development

• Test and adopt existing modelling platforms

• Review modelling works by colleagues ensuring high-quality standards

• Contribute to AZ drug development with innovative ideas

• Stay informed with emerging literature and science in modelling and simulation sciencesincluding developments in clinical QSP&T models virtual populations and digital twin approaches

• Collaborate well within the Systems Medicine group and cross-functional teams

• Guide junior modelers

• Represent AZ by publication podium presentations and/or organization of symposia

Essential requirements:

• PhD or similar degree in chemical mechanical or biomedical engineering physics appliedmathematicsor related field

• Experience working in the industry and postdoctoral experience in buildingvalidating and using predictivemechanisticmathematical models for drug development.(Ideally 4 years of experience).

• At least 3 published papers

• Excellent understanding of theory principles and statistical aspects of mathematical modelling and simulation including numerical methodsparametrizationand ODEs.

• Knowledge of models of biological pathways/systems to support translational research.

• Hands-on knowledge of modelling with ODEs Agent-Based Modelling Statistical and/or Machine Learning modelling etc

• Aptitude and experience to influence decisions and experimental design by using available data andappropriate modellingsolutions

• Self-directed independent andhighly-motivatedresearcher who excels in a collaborative multi-disciplinary environment.

• Evidence of identifying developing and applying innovative solutions to scientific and technological problems faced in systems and predictive modelling

• Familiarity with the challenges of drug discovery and forward thinking with respect to thegeneral applicationof mathematical models in drug discovery and development

• Excellent oral and written communication skills and the ability to interact effectively with scientists in other subject areas with a positive and collaborative attitude

• Experience with data analysis tools and languages such asMatlaband/or Python.

• Ability to learn new areas of biological sciences and build on solid foundation of quantitative skills to develop models.

• Ability to keep up to date with and propose the implementation of scientific and technological developments.

• Ability to interact across pre-clinical and clinical teams.

• Ability to keep up with new modelling approaches and propose implementation of scientific and technological developments in the areas of QSP&T

• Experience in linking QSP&T and pharmacokinetics to predict safe and efficacious doses

• Experience ordemonstratedexposure to clinical-stage QSP modelling ideally including use of virtual populations to characterize variability and support clinical decision-making

Preferred Skills and Qualifications

• Exposure to current principles and concepts in DMPK Toxicology and Safety

• Experience with PK PKPD TKTD modelling and joint longitudinal modelling tools or any other relevant software.

• Familiarity with the challenges of drug discovery and forward thinking with respect to thegeneral applicationof mathematical models in discovery and development.

• Evidence of identifying developing and applying innovative solutions to scientific and technological problems faced in systems and predictive modelling.

• Experience with clinical QSP&Tapplications in oncology or related therapeutic areas

• Experience incorporating virtual populationsusingmechanistic models

• Exposure to digital twin concepts or approaches in clinical/translational modelling

• Experience or familiarity with immune cell engagers ADCsradioconjugates(RCs)and/orMicrophysiologicalSystem data analysis