Translational Science Director Immunology Cell Therapy

AstraZeneca • Cambridge, MA

3d • Hybrid

About The Position

Are you a visionary expert in translational science, with experience implementing successful strategies accelerating the development of cellular therapies for patients with immune-mediated diseases? If you are passionate about transforming the treatment of immune-mediated diseases and making a profound impact on patients' lives, then AstraZeneca might be the place for you! Our ambition is to build an outstanding organization that accelerates the delivery of transformative cell therapies for patients with immune-mediated diseases. We are driven by courage, curiosity, and collaboration, making bold decisions driven by patient outcomes. As a Translational Science Director, you will be responsible for the design and implementation of translational and biomarker objectives for cellular therapies for immune-mediated diseases as well as operational aspects of clinical biomarker implementation and academic teamwork. Your focus will be on ensuring effective collaborations between research and development, leading interactions between academic collaboration, establishing strong target-to-disease connections, differentiating AZ cellular therapeutics, and driving translational understanding of clinical trial data. You will work with team translational leads to oversee translational studies and deliverables with CROs and collaborators to support new and ongoing clinical studies as well as to enable our LCM strategy. You will be recognized as an authority in translational science and work on difficult drug projects and complex scientific problems, providing solutions that are highly innovative. At AstraZeneca, we are at the cutting-edge of science, rethinking the future of medicine. We work on ground-breaking medicine discovery and development from early to late stage, answering some of the most complex unmet patient needs. We are never complacent about scientific discovery and development. Here we are always pushing our efficiency, searching for knowledge and the next breakthrough. We fully embrace a safe space, exercising our freedom to discover and share. You're supported by the team where setbacks are seen as learning opportunities. When we put unexpected teams in the same room, we fuel bold thinking with the power to inspire life-changing medicines. In-person working gives us the platform we need to connect, work at pace and challenge perceptions. That’s why we work, on average, a minimum of three days per week from the office. But that doesn't mean we’re not flexible. We balance the expectation of being in the office while respecting individual flexibility. Join us in our unique and daring world.

Requirements

• PhD or MD-PhD degree required, in a biology, chemistry, immunology or related field.
• 8 plus years of industry experience.
• Experience leading and running academic collaborations including timelines and budget for data and analytical delivery.
• Solid understanding of the pathogenesis of immune mediated disease and the application of cellular, molecular technologies and models to drive program decisions, including those related to supporting value propositions.
• Experience in clinical biomarker development (assay development and validation) of T-cell therapy and/or other advanced therapeutic modalities for Phase 1 studies and beyond.
• Prior experience in BM, precision medicine, IND filings, and deliverables for CSRs and other regulatory filings.
• Proven ability to learn new information rapidly and effectively.
• Demonstrated experience in selecting and handling CROs for translational studies and biomarkers for clinical trials.
• Experience in the authoring of relevant sections regulatory documents.
• Understanding of the full drug development process and critical translational biology needs at each developmental stage.
• Detailed understanding of translational and clinical research methodology and biostatistics principles.
• Understanding of FDA, EMA, MHRA and ICH GCP guidelines.
• Attention to detail, strive to generate high-quality work, and sense of passion and urgency to achieve team and program goals.
• Demonstrated experience contributing to and leading complex clinical stage projects.
• Demonstrated track record in delivering results.
• Outstanding verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent analytical, problem solving and strategic planning skills.

Responsibilities

• Design and implementation of translational and biomarker objectives for cellular therapies for immune-mediated diseases
• Operational aspects of clinical biomarker implementation and academic teamwork
• Ensuring effective collaborations between research and development
• Leading interactions between academic collaboration
• Establishing strong target-to-disease connections
• Differentiating AZ cellular therapeutics
• Driving translational understanding of clinical trial data
• Oversee translational studies and deliverables with CROs and collaborators to support new and ongoing clinical studies as well as to enable our LCM strategy
• Work on difficult drug projects and complex scientific problems, providing solutions that are highly innovative

Benefits

• qualified retirement program [401(k) plan]
• paid vacation and holidays
• paid leaves
• health benefits including medical, prescription drug, dental, and vision coverage in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans
• short-term incentive bonus opportunity
• eligibility to participate in our equity-based long-term incentive program (salaried roles) or to receive a retirement contribution (hourly roles)

What This Job Offers

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