Associate Principal Scientist, Translational PKPD Modeling & DMPK (Oncology)

AstraZeneca • Waltham, MA

109d

About The Position

Are you an authority in Oncology with a passion for PKPD modeling and DMPK science applied to Cancer biology? Do you want to make a real impact on patients' lives by turning scientific ideas into life-changing medicines? If so, AstraZeneca could be your next career destination! We are thrilled to offer an exciting opportunity for an Associate Principal Scientist who is enthusiastic about PKPD modeling and DMPK science, particularly in the realm of Cancer biology. Ideally, you will have experience working with biologics drug projects and be ready to join our dynamic team. The Oncology DMPK department plays a pivotal role in advancing cancer treatment by providing expertise in drug metabolism, pharmacokinetics, and translational PKPD modeling to support a diverse oncology portfolio. With an ambition to become world leaders in oncology, the department strives to drive innovation through an extensive pipeline of innovative indications and targets, emphasizing launch excellence, commercial effectiveness, and maximized product lifecycles. As an Associate Principal Scientist, individuals contribute by applying advanced PKPD modeling and simulation to deepen understanding of cancer biology and enhance drug discovery efforts. This position is responsible for providing specialist input on PK/PD/Efficacy in pre-clinical models, using these insights to iteratively define optimal dose and schedule strategies for therapeutic interventions. The role is central to advising treatment decisions across various patient populations, whether as monotherapy or in combination regimens.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Modeling & Simulation, systems biology, quantitative pharmacology, pharmacometrics, chemical engineering, physics, pharmaceutical sciences, or applied mathematics.
• 5 years of relevant industry experience in Modeling & Simulation, ideally in preclinical/translational setting with a focus on biologics, or a MS degree with 8 years of proven industry experience.
• Experience in a project-facing role within pharmaceutical R&D.
• Strong understanding of DMPK and pharmacology in drug discovery, with a track record of delivering results in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency with tools such as WinNonLin/Phoenix NLME, NonMem, Berkeley Madonna, MATLAB, and SimCYP.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and leadership skills, with a passion for collaborative problem-solving.

Responsibilities

• Represent Oncology DMPK, providing scientific leadership in cross-functional and external collaborations.
• Develop and apply PKPD models to explore the effects of target and pathway modulation, defining candidate drug target profiles.
• Predict human dose and regimen, contributing to exposure and pharmacodynamic biomarker-based decision-making for early clinical trials.
• Drive learning through back-translation of clinical exposure and pharmacodynamic data, offering strategic options for future clinical testing.
• Lead and participate in strategic scientific initiatives, continuous improvement projects, and external collaborations with academic or pre-competitive groups.
• Mentor students and postdoctoral fellows, contributing to the next generation of scientific talent.
• Present findings through publications, patents, and lectures, enhancing the visibility of AstraZeneca’s translational research.

Benefits

• AstraZeneca offers an environment where courage, curiosity, and collaboration thrive.
• Commitment to pioneering new frontiers in Oncology with the ambition to eliminate cancer as a cause of death.
• Investment aimed at delivering breakthroughs through cutting-edge science and technology.
• Diverse community internally and extensive collaborations externally.

What This Job Offers

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