Position: Executive Director Bioscience, Early Respiratory & Immunology (R&I)

Location: Gaithersburg or Gothenburg or Cambridge

Competitive Salary & Excellent Benefits

Do you have expertise in, and passion for, Respiratory Biology? Would you like to apply your expertise to impact the drug discovery in a company that follows the science and turns ideas into life changing medicines? Then AstraZeneca might be the one for you!

At AstraZeneca, we put patients first and strive to meet their unmet needs worldwide. Working here means being entrepreneurial, thinking big and working together to make the impossible a reality. If you are swift to action, confident to lead, willing to collaborate, and curious about what science can do, then you’re our kind of person.

What you’ll do

You will be responsible for the leadership and management of AstraZeneca’s Respiratory Biology department. The group is approximately 60 scientists of post-doc, PhD and graduate level and is geographically located across three countries (Sweden, UK and USA). The department is accountable for performing novel, cutting edge research to identify and validate new druggable targets for respiratory diseases including COPD, IPF/ILD and bronchiectasis. In addition, the department is accountable for providing expert input, primary cell potency data and validatory biology package to support respiratory programs in the portfolio from target selection identification decision to the end of clinical Phase 2b. Scientists from the department will not only supply such data but will be biology leads (leading the biology research and biology group assigned to the project) for all of the drug programs.

Furthermore, a number of department members assume a project leader role in early discovery projects bringing together other functions to develop and deliver the cross-functional plan. You will be accountable for ensuring the highest quality input from these leaders that include: Providing clear path to next program milestone, guiding with hypothesis-driven decision-making data as well as impeccable and clear presentation of data at governance interactions with the Research Board. The head of department is accountable for ensuring delivery of a publication plan and presentation at externals meetings that re-enforces AstraZeneca’s presence at the forefront of respiratory research. You will also be accountable for managing the budget of the department (including salaries, travel and consumables). This role requires a broad, comprehensive understanding in all of these areas since you will have a significant impact on both financial and reputational aspects of the business.

Other Responsibilities include:

• Inputs significantly to the Bioscience and drug discovery strategy, and ensures that all decisions and activities are properly aligned to it and to the broader goals and objectives of AstraZeneca
• Ensures the effectiveness and efficiency of existing processes, systems and interfaces within Bioscience, either by managing their development and use, or by contributing to their improvement as a technical expert
• Ensures own work and work of function is compliant with Good Laboratory Practice, Safety, Health and Environment regulations and all other internal and external standards and regulations
• Will lead global respiratory strategy group and be part of team responsible for business development search and evaluation triage process
• Will be active member of the Early Respiratory & Immunology (R&I) Research Board and Leadership Team accountable for portfolio delivery, culture, budget and health and safety in the workplace.

Essential for the role

• PhD in a relevant scientific discipline
• Mastery of respiratory biology and cell biology relevant to strategic aims of the Therapeutic Area
• Leadership experience promoting, motivating and empowering others to accomplish individual, team and organisational objectives
• Significant understanding of the drug discovery process and overall drug development and commercialisation process

Desirable for the role

• Professional certification
• Expert reputation within the business and industry
• Extensive knowledge of the latest technical and regulatory developments
• Excellent knowledge of AstraZeneca policies, procedures and guidelines

So, what’s next!

Are you ready to bring new ideas and fresh thinking to the table? Brilliant! We have one seat available, and we hope it’s yours.

Please apply by submitting your CV by COB 8 December 2023.

Where can you find out more?

Our Social Media, Follow AstraZeneca on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/1603/

Inclusion & Diversity: https://careers.astrazeneca.com/inclusion-diversity

Career Site: https://careers.astrazeneca.com/

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 (e.g. race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status). We comply with all applicable laws and regulations on non-discrimination in employment (and recruitment), as well as work authorisation and employment eligibility verification requirements.

AstraZeneca requires all US employees to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 but will consider requests for reasonable accommodations as required by applicable law.