Director, Translational Science

Director Translational Science

Cambridge UK (3 days on site per week)

About AstraZeneca

AstraZeneca is a global science-led patient-focused biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery development and commercialisation of prescription medicines for some of the worlds most serious diseases. But were more than one of the worlds leading pharmaceutical companies. At AstraZeneca we are pioneering new frontiers by identifying and treating patients earlier working towards the aim of eliminating cancer as a cause of death.

Come and join our AZ team where you will play a pivotal role in this exciting period of development!!

The Scientific Director will be accountable for the scientific quality prioritisation and delivery of the Translational Pathology portfolio and for the effective scientific development of the team. The role will combine strategic portfolio oversight line management scientific project leadership hands-on contribution and cross-functional collaboration. The postholder will be expected to operate with a high degree of autonomy make recommendations based on incomplete or evolving information and ensure that pathology activities provide meaningful timely and decision-enabling insight across the research and development portfolio. They will provide appropriate oversight of GCP and laboratory quality risks across the Translational Pathology portfolio while partnering with Quality Assurance and relevant functions to maintain compliance inspection readiness and reliable scientific delivery.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide scientific leadership across the Translational Pathology portfolio ensuring studies are fit for purpose and generate interpretable data to inform programme decisions.
• Act as an expert in histopathology tissue-based biomarkers immunohistochemistry digital pathology image analysis tissue quality staining interpretation and data review.
• Develop and challenge experimental plans work packages assay strategies controls endpoints sample requirements analytical approaches timelines and success criteria.
• Maintain an integrated view of project scope milestones dependencies risks decisions resource needs and delivery across active and planned work.
• Lead assigned scientific projects or workstreams contributing to experimental design pathology review data interpretation scientific discussions and delivery of high-quality outputs.
• Ensure pathology activities align with applicable GCP requirements approved protocols controlled procedures company policies and quality standards.
• Coordinate the preparation quality review interpretation documentation and handover of complete pathology data packages and supporting metadata.
• Plan and prioritise team capacity across pathology review immunohistochemistry image analysis and other specialist capabilities balancing scientific value urgency risk feasibility and business priorities.
• Lead support mentor and develop scientists promoting scientific excellence accountability collaboration effective prioritisation and continuous professional growth.
• Partner with discovery biology pharmacology toxicology biomarker genomics bioinformatics clinical regulatory and programme teams to integrate pathology into development strategies.
• Present portfolio updates scientific recommendations resource proposals risks and decisions to project teams governance forums and functional leaders providing clear and actionable progress reports.
• Contribute to Translational Pathology strategy technology and operating-model development implement improvements in ways of working and apply relevant advances in pathology biomarker science and therapeutic research.

Requirements:

• Significant relevant postdoctoral or equivalent professional experience typically within significant post-PhD range gained in an academic biotechnology pharmaceutical contract research or related research environment.
• Substantial practical and scientific experience in histopathology preferably within a research translational drug discovery or pharmaceutical environment.
• Demonstrable expertise in immunohistochemistry including assay development or optimisation antibody and control selection staining assessment interpretation of tissue-based findings and understanding of assay limitations.
• Experience working to GCLP GLP ISO 15189 ISO 17025 or comparable laboratory quality standards including participation in audits inspections quality reviews or inspection-readiness activities.
• Experience leading multiple concurrent projects contending priorities resource allocation risks dependencies and delivery milestones.
• Ability to critically evaluate experimental data identify limitations assess whether conclusions are supported by the evidence and recommend appropriate next steps.
• Direct line management experience
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to communicate complex scientific information clearly to both specialist and non-specialist audiences.
• Demonstrable experience working effectively across multidisciplinary and cross-functional teams including with stakeholders outside the immediate scientific subject area.

In Office Requirement:

When we put unexpected teams in the same room we unleash bold thinking with the power to inspire life-changing -person working gives us the platform we need to connect work at pace and challenge perceptions. Thats why we work on average a minimum of three days per week from the office. But that doesnt mean were not flexible. We balance the expectation of being in the office while respecting individual flexibility. Join us in our unique and ambitious world.

Competitive salary and benefits package on offer!

The successful candidate will have access to a flexible employee benefits fund including holiday purchase and flexible time off pension contributions Share Save Plans A performance recognition scheme and a competitive generous remuneration package.

Date Posted

Closing Date