Principal Scientist Metabolism Bioscience Research, CVRM

AstraZeneca • Gaithersburg, MD

17h • Onsite

About The Position

This scientific leadership role offers an exciting opportunity to set strategic direction and shape the future of developing novel therapies for treating obesity, with a focus on mechanisms that will elicit healthy body weight loss and maintenance. You will apply your expertise in skeletal muscle physiology and metabolic diseases to drive scientific and technical innovation, identify and advance new therapeutic interventions. Lead multidisciplinary global project teams, as well as external collaborations, to deliver key experimental data and progress the drug project portfolio. Champion novel approaches to drug discovery in healthy body weight loss and body weight maintenance, facilitating scientific debate and innovation through leadership and mentorship within the CVRM Research community. Contribute to the evolution of research strategy within the Metabolism Bioscience division as a member of its leadership team. Play a lead role in the selection and validation of research targets, leading projects from discovery through to early clinical development, and serve as Bioscience lead on drug discovery projects. Raise the scientific profile of Early CVRM both internally and externally through high-impact publications, conference presentations, and leading collaborative initiatives.

Requirements

• PhD in a relevant scientific discipline (e.g., metabolic diseases, musculoskeletal diseases, neuroscience, immunology etc.).
• 5+ years’ drug discovery or relevant experience in academia, biotech, or pharmaceutical industry following postdoctoral research.
• Deep expertise in skeletal muscle biology and physiology, including in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo assay development.
• Extensive scientific knowledge of metabolic diseases and mechanisms of body weight regulation, alongside a strong track record of leading laboratory-based research.
• Experience in new model development, laboratory techniques, and enthusiasm for performing hands-on science.
• Demonstrated scientific leadership reflected by a robust publication track record in high impact journals, external presentations, and collaborations.
• Proven ability to manage multifaceted projects and establish research collaborations, leveraging a broad professional network.
• Track record as a project leader or bioscience lead, conducting, planning, and guiding complex scientific projects within multidisciplinary teams.

Nice To Haves

• Significant experience with in vitro, in vivo, and ex vivo technologies to assess multiple target classes.
• Ability to manage multiple concurrent projects or tasks.
• Extensive network and collaboration experience within the metabolic diseases research field.

Responsibilities

• Apply expertise in skeletal muscle physiology and metabolic diseases to drive scientific and technical innovation, identify and advance new therapeutic interventions.
• Lead multidisciplinary global project teams, as well as external collaborations, to deliver key experimental data and progress the drug project portfolio.
• Champion novel approaches to drug discovery in healthy body weight loss and body weight maintenance, facilitating scientific debate and innovation through leadership and mentorship within the CVRM Research community.
• Contribute to the evolution of research strategy within the Metabolism Bioscience division as a member of its leadership team.
• Play a lead role in the selection and validation of research targets, leading projects from discovery through to early clinical development, and serve as Bioscience lead on drug discovery projects.
• Raise the scientific profile of Early CVRM both internally and externally through high-impact publications, conference presentations, and leading collaborative initiatives.

Benefits

• Qualified retirement programs
• Paid time off (i.e., vacation, holiday, and leaves)
• Health coverage
• Dental coverage
• Vision coverage
• Eligibility for various incentives—an opportunity to receive short-term incentive bonuses, equity-based awards for salaried roles

What This Job Offers

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