Principal Scientist/Director and Team Leader, Oncology Bioscience

AstraZeneca • Waltham, MA

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About The Position

Are you ready to lead the charge in small molecule drug discovery for oncology? As a Principal Scientist at AstraZeneca, you'll be at the forefront of innovation, driving projects within the Oncology Targeted Discovery department. With your expertise in cancer biology and drug discovery, you'll champion new scientific ideas and collaborate in a dynamic team environment to deliver groundbreaking oncology medicines. Your strategic insights will be pivotal in guiding department and site leadership, contributing to our mission to eliminate cancer as a cause of human death.

Requirements

• Ph. D. or M.Sc in a biology-related discipline, with > 8 years of proven experience in oncology drug discovery.
• Extensive industry experience in driving small molecule drug discovery project from conception to candidate nomination.
• Consistent track record in delivering clinical candidates and INDs.
• Demonstrated scientific excellence with a strong publication record.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to drive multiple projects, run cross-functional teams and influence key stakeholders.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and decision-making skills.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in hard-to-drug targets, transcription factors, and/or novel targeting approaches including induced proximity approaches.
• Strong project leadership skills and experience, track record in delivering projects to IND.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a dynamic and fast-paced team environment.
• Proficiency with AI tools, adopting and implementing AI in modern-day drug discovery.
• Experience in mentoring junior scientists and team members.
• Deep understanding of emerging clinical landscape in solid cancers, with a focus on GI cancers, along with lung cancers, pancreatic cancers, breast and prostate cancers.

Responsibilities

• Report directly to the Head of Small Molecule Bioscience (US).
• Lead preclinical drug discovery from target identification to lead optimization and candidate nomination.
• Focus on solid cancer, specifically GI cancers.
• Serve as bioscience lead on drug discovery projects.
• Ensure effective communication and representation in multi-functional teams, supporting decision-making.
• Partner with and work closely with the UK SM Biosciences team, driving the delivery of SM Projects forward.
• Mentor, coach and develop junior team members in the Bioscience department.
• Collaborate with academic and industrial partners as a recognized scientific leader.
• Identify and apply new technologies and innovative approaches to improve the drug discovery processes.
• Provide scientific advice across Discovery Research Area or Development disciplines.
• Encourage and reward innovation and entrepreneurial spirit within the scientific community.

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