Director, Discovery Biology - AstraZeneca

Closing Date
5 Mar 2018
Address
Cambridge, UK

Position: Director, Discovery Biology.

Location: Cambridge, UK

Salary: Competitive & Excellent Benefits Package

AstraZeneca is a global , innovation-driven biopharmaceutical business that focuses on the discovery, development and commercialization of prescription medicines for some of the world's most serious diseases. However, we're more than one of the world's leading pharmaceutical companies. At AstraZeneca, we're proud to have a unique workplace culture that inspires innovation and collaboration. Staff are empowered to express diverse perspectives, are made to feel valued, energized and rewarded for their ideas and creativity.

The Organization.

Discovery Sciences, within AstraZeneca – Innovative Medicines & Early Development (IMED) supports drug discovery projects across the global IMED portfolio, ranging from chemical molecules to new therapeutic modalities such as peptides and nucleic acids. Discovery Sciences (DS) is located at R&D sites in the UK, US and Sweden and is organised into distinct scientific and technical competencies.

Discovery Biology, within Discovery Sciences works across six scientific disciplines; Protein Science, Cell Science, Target Identification, Target Validation, Chemical Biology and Precise Genome Editing. It is an essential part of our target identification and drug discovery projects within Discovery Sciences – as well as four global therapy areas: Oncology; Cardiovascular & Metabolic Disease; Respiratory, Inflammation & Autoimmune; Neuroscience.

Position.

You will report to the Vice President of Discovery Biology and assume responsibility for protein expression, cellular reagents, precise genome editing and biochemical and cellular assay development, primarily aligned to discovery projects within Oncology and Ne uroscience therapy areas. In addition to internal technology collaborations and joint drug discovery projects, the group has numerous collaborations with leading academic and industrial partners across the world to enhance further technology development and run collaborative drug discovery programs.

As the leader of the Discovery Biology UK Department you will:

  • Lead a high performing, customer focused department providing assay development and bioreagent supply to support drug discovery projects.
  • Drive scientific & technical innovations to maximize productivity and efficiency and to increase success & quality in our early stage portfolio.
  • Ensure very high scientific & technical standards in our drug discovery and technology innovation projects.

  • Be accountable for sponsoring and leading external collaborations and partnerships to drive capability development

  • Supervise and manage staff, including shared accountability for talent development and annual performance processes.

  • Drive the publication strategy to ensure high external visibility and credibility via peer-reviewed publications and presentation at scientific conferences.

  • Participate as a key member of the Global Discovery Biology Leadership Team in setting and maintaining the strategic direction, scientific quality, operational efficiency and future strategies of the Discovery Biology Department.

YOU WILL POSSESS:

;Education:

  • A degree (PhD or equivalent) in biology, biochemistry or chemistry.

A Proven Track record of:

  • Success in a similar role within academia, Pharma, Biotech or a CRO.
  • Track record career progression and recognition, a globally strong external network, with experience of seeking and maintaining collaborations and partnerships.
  • Assay development and/or bioreagent supply. Expertise is sought in one or more of the following areas: 

    • Bulk recombinant expression (E.coli, BEVS, mammalian), protein purification/biochemistry, manual & automated cell culture systems based high-throughput and non-high-throughput assay development for biochemical an d/or cellular targets.
    • Generic platform technologies (e.g. cellular label free detection systems, automated microscopy/high content biology, confocal imaging, flow cytometry).
    • Phenotypic drug discovery technologies with expertise in target deconvolution (e.g. chemoproteomics, transcriptomics).
    • Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) and/or ddPCR technologies.
    • Mass-spectrometry based readouts for hit discovery, lead optimization, target discovery or biomarker development.
  • Working in a state-of-the-art drug discovery environment, particularly in early stage drug discovery and leading units in highly matrixed science and technology based organizations.
  • Innovation and delivery in target discovery, hit identification & lead generation with a broad knowledge across all areas of preclinical drug discovery.
  • Recruiting, retaining and developing a world-class group.
  • Project management, change management and/or optimization of operational and organizational processes.
  • A broad industrial & academic network with key stakeholders and innovation leaders across Europe and the rest of the world.
  • Peer-reviewed publications and invited presentations at scientific conferences.

To apply please visit https://astrazeneca.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com/Careers/job/UK---Cambridge/Director--Discovery-Biology_R-022152-1