Director, Epidemiology, Bacterial Pathogens

AstraZeneca • Gaithersburg, MD

21h • $194,147 - $291,221 • Hybrid

About The Position

AstraZeneca seeks an outstanding candidate with in‑depth, specialist knowledge of epidemiology and infectious diseases and their application to pharmaceutical development and medical strategy. This Director will generate, evaluate, and present high‑quality epidemiologic and clinical evidence to guide product value and risk–benefit. They will provide scientific input to cross‑functional decision makers and external bodies; maintain expert awareness of pathogen trends, surveillance methodologies, and emerging therapeutic resistance; they will mentor epidemiology and medical staff. They will maintain awareness of the external environment to evaluate emerging health threats and opportunities to protect populations worldwide!

Requirements

• MD or PhD in a relevant field (epidemiology, infectious disease, public health, health services research) and a minimum of 5 years experience within the pharmaceutical, medical, and/or public health sector(s).

Nice To Haves

• Knowledge of international healthcare systems and their evolving needs for epidemiology, outcomes, and stewardship evidence.
• Strong knowledge of legal/regulatory environments influencing clinical development, labeling, promotional claims, and appropriate use programs
• Ability to provide innovative scientific leadership across medical strategy and value demonstration work streams
• Well developed conceptual and analytical thinking, enabling access to internal/external expert resources
• Implement multi collaborator projects with high autonomy
• Share medical strategy, epidemiologic evidence, and value narratives to commercial partners
• Well developed cultural sensitivity and skill in representing the company externally to key scientific and public health team members.

Responsibilities

• Evaluates and analyzes surveillance, clinical, and real‑world data and generates high‑quality epidemiologic input to the target product profile, medical strategy, value demonstration plan, and market access & pricing strategy for antibacterial and anti‑infective products.
• Leads medical and epidemiologic contributions to research planning and resolves complex issues affecting clinical development.
• Collaborate with study team personnel and colleagues in development and administration of observational studies, registries, burden‑of‑illness analyses, and modeling (e.g., transmission dynamics, resistance evolution, cost‑effectiveness of stewardship and interventions).
• Prepares proposals for epidemiology, RWE, and outcomes research work packages; manages vendor/CRO selection and oversight for surveillance studies, prospective cohorts, and data‑linkage projects.
• Holds budgeting responsibility for subprojects within medical, value demonstration, or clinical program teams; ensures delivery to time, budget, and quality.
• Leads project management with academic partners, public health agencies, and CROs; contributes to investigator meetings and prepares scientific work materials and presentations.
• Assists in medical writing, references, and development of dossiers and evidentiary materials for reimbursement/formulary decisions; ensures integration of epidemiologic burden and unmet need.
• Prepares epidemiology and outcomes evidence to support regulatory submissions and interactions.
• Engages in regulatory discussions covering clinical progress, product information, and post‑marketing commitments including surveillance plans, pharmacovigilance, and efficiency in subpopulations.
• Advances knowledge of infectious‑disease epidemiology and the impact of pharmaceutical product development; identifies and curates external data sources (national surveillance, hospital networks, lab databases) and literature to inform strategy.
• Reviews independent investigator proposals to incorporate epidemiologic and outcomes components consistent with local clinical development and Phase IV/post‑marketing requirements, including stewardship outcomes.
• Builds a culture of curious leadership, scientific rigor, creativity, and collaboration; champions public health priorities.

Benefits

• Our positions offer eligibility for various incentives—an opportunity to receive short-term incentive bonuses, equity-based awards for salaried roles and commissions for sales roles.
• Benefits offered include qualified retirement programs, paid time off (i.e., vacation, holiday, and leaves), as well as health, dental, and vision coverage in accordance with the terms of the applicable plans!

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree