Associate Principal Scientist – Biologics AI Innovation

AstraZeneca • Waltham, MA

93d

About The Position

We are seeking an experienced and visionary Associate Principal Scientist to drive Biologics AI innovation at AstraZeneca’s US R&D centers in Waltham, MA or Gaithersburg, MD. This pivotal leadership role will focus on integrating state-of-the-art artificial intelligence with wet-lab discovery, enabling synergistic advances in biologics engineering. You will work collaboratively across computational and experimental functions, influence the direction of AI-driven research, and champion the seamless collection and translation of high-quality data for the design of next-generation biotherapeutics.

Requirements

• Master and 2+ years experience or PhD and 0+ years of experience in mathematics, physics, computer science, statistics, bioinformatics, or a related discipline, with substantial academic or industry experience in the application of AI/ML to biological problems.
• Deep expertise and hands-on track record in developing and deploying machine learning and deep learning models for protein sequence and structure analysis, biologics design, or related fields.
• Demonstrated experience in leading initiatives that combine computational modeling with experimental biology, ideally in a therapeutics or biopharmaceutical setting.
• Strong programming and analytical skills, including proficiency with Python and major AI/ML frameworks such as TensorFlow, PyTorch, or JAX.
• Familiarity with large-scale data engineering, cloud computing, and FAIR data principles.
• Excellent communication and leadership skills, with proven success in cross-functional environments and multi-site collaborations.
• Demonstrable record of scientific innovation, as evidenced by publications, patents, or successful project delivery in biologics discovery or engineering.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with structural informatics, structural biology, or structure-based rational design.
• Experience with molecular dynamic simulation and structure modeling.
• Experience with multi-modal learning, agentic AI, or the integration of heterogeneous biological data formats.
• Prior leadership, mentoring, or line management experience in industrial or academic R&D.
• Recognized presence in the external scientific community through publications, conference presentations, or collaborations.

Responsibilities

• Lead and design AI strategies for biologics discovery and engineering, with a focus on AI–wet lab integration and accelerated translation of computational findings to experiments.
• Oversee and guide the development of innovative models, including protein language models, structure prediction models, de novo protein design, and multi-modal approaches combining sequence, structure, and biological activity data.
• Act as a scientific bridge and champion for cross-functional collaboration between AI scientists and wet-lab teams within the US, and in close alignment with global teams.
• Drive the generation, curation, and utilization of high-quality wet-lab data; provide actionable feedback to experimental teams for optimizing data production for ML applications.
• Evaluate, recommend, and implement emerging technologies, adopting best practices in data science, computational biology, and protein engineering to ensure world-class innovation and delivery.
• Mentor junior scientists and provide scientific leadership in biologics AI, fostering a collaborative, innovative, and high-performing team environment.
• Communicate progress, challenges, and strategy to stakeholders at all levels, contributing to strategic decision-making and representing the team in internal and external collaborations.
• Author scientific publications, contribute to intellectual property, and serve as an ambassador for AstraZeneca in the external scientific community through presentations and collaborations.

Benefits

• Collaborative, inclusive, and empowering environment.
• Unparalleled opportunities for scientific impact and personal growth.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees