External Innovation Partner, Oncology Research Intelligence (Targeted Protein Degradation & Induced Proximity)

Astellas Pharma • Watertown, MA

8d • $170,450 - $243,500 • Hybrid

About The Position

The External Innovation Partner, Oncology Research - Targeted Protein Degradation & Induced Proximity is a scientific leadership role that serves as an External Catalyst, connecting Astellas Oncology Research with leading external innovation ecosystems in targeted protein degradation, induced proximity, and degrader-conjugate science. This role proactively identifies, evaluates, and shapes external opportunities across a range of scientific areas including PROTACs, molecular glues, monovalent/direct degraders, degrader platforms, E3/UPS biology, target engagement, proteomics/chemoproteomics, structural and computational degrader design, Degrader Antibody Conjugates (DACs), next-generation induced-proximity technologies, and other oncology-relevant targeted-delivery or induced-proximity modalities. The role translates external scientific signals into research hypotheses, differentiation logic, critical-assumption questions, and scientific assessments that guide research strategy and support BD-led partnership discussions in close collaboration with internal research leaders.

Requirements

• Advanced degree (PhD, MD, MBA, or equivalent) in Oncology, Life Sciences, or a related field.
• Minimum 8 years of experience in pharmaceutical R&D, external innovation, academic collaboration, or scientific partnering.
• Strong understanding of oncology drug discovery, translational science, and modality platforms (e.g., next gen ADCs, engineered biologics, engineered small molecules).
• Proven ability to engage with scientific leaders and navigate early-stage biotech and academic ecosystems.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to synthesize complex scientific information into strategic insights.
• Prior experience in academic liaison, external innovation, or strategic scouting in pharma/biotech or venture ecosystems.
• Familiarity with CI platforms, digital literature monitoring tools, and academic/biotech databases.
• A strong network in academia or biotech focused on oncology.
• Experience in competitive intelligence, scientific scouting, or innovation strategy within oncology.
• Familiarity with academic-industry collaboration models and consortia-based innovation.
• High digital literacy and comfort with landscape analytics, scientific intelligence platforms, and conference tracking tools.

Responsibilities

• Build trusted access to academic investigators, KOLs/KEEs, biotech founders, incubators, investors, CROs, tech-transfer offices, venture creation groups, and scientific consortia focused on TPD, induced proximity, oncology chemical biology, proteomics, and degrader-conjugate science.
• Prioritize engagement with leading innovation ecosystems and global centers of excellence in degrader science, induced proximity, oncology research, chemical proteomics, and DAC/degrader-conjugate technologies.
• Represent Astellas Oncology Research at major scientific conferences, innovation forums, targeted partnering events, and academic meetings to uncover early-stage opportunities before they become broadly visible.
• Actively track scientific and company activity across PROTACs, molecular glues, monovalent/direct degraders, novel E3 ligase recruiters, CRBN/VHL biology, target engagement, proteomics/chemoproteomics, next-generation induced-proximity technologies such as RIPTAC and TCIP, and DACs.
• Maintain dynamic hub heatmaps, KEE maps, company/platform landscapes, and opportunity pipelines that enable rapid triage and high-quality internal decision-making.
• Identify high-impact external science, platform technologies, targets, mechanisms, and translational capabilities with potential relevance to Astellas oncology research priorities and future portfolio options.
• Assess TPD and induced-proximity opportunities based on target biology, degradability, modality fit, E3/UPS strategy, mechanism of action, target engagement, proteomic selectivity, cellular pharmacology, DMPK/PK-PD, differentiation, competitive positioning, and development risk.
• Evaluate platform-partnership opportunities for scientific maturity, scalability, target-ligase knowledge, assay/model access, reproducibility, IP/FTO considerations, and potential to unlock difficult-to-drug or previously inaccessible oncology targets.
• For DAC or degrader-conjugate opportunities, assess tumor antigen selection, internalization/trafficking biology, targeting vehicle properties, linker-payload strategy, degrader payload mechanism, degradation readouts, tumor selectivity, safety liabilities, and fit with Astellas capabilities.
• Translate early-stage innovation signals into strategic insights that support research prioritization, portfolio planning, and exploratory evaluation of external opportunities.
• Collaborate closely with Research Strategy Leads, Modality Intelligence Leads, Innovation Intelligence Analysts, and other subject-matter experts to ensure insights are shared and acted upon.
• Support BD-led opportunity evaluation in collaboration with Business Development and relevant embedded partners by providing scientific framing, diligence questions, data-package interpretation, and strategic context.
• Contribute to the development of intelligence infrastructure and best practices for horizon scanning, opportunity mapping, and external engagement across CI & RPM

Benefits

• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
• Generous Paid Time Off options, including Vacation and Sick time, plus national holidays including year-end shut down
• 401(k) match and annual company contribution
• Company paid life insurance
• Annual Corporate Bonus and Quarterly Sales Incentive for eligible positions
• Long Term Incentive Plan for eligible positions
• Company fleet vehicle for eligible positions
• Referral bonus program

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior