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Medical Director, Early Global Development, Oncology R&D

Posted date Sep. 25, 2025
Contract type Full time
Job ID R-236162
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Why choose AstraZeneca Spain?

AstraZeneca Spain is a rising force in our global business. With headquarters in Madrid and our global hub in Barcelona, we’ve become an important international centre of excellence in the fight against critical disease. Boasting vibrant universities and business schools, the Barcelona ecosystem is a place where scientists can thrive. We attract a diverse workforce from across the globe, shining a beacon for innovation in a country that’s committed to clinical development.

We invite you to bring your talents to Barcelona where our respiratory medicine R&D and Global Marketing centre offers opportunities in R&D, IT, Commercial and HR. Or join us in Madrid and shape our growth in our BUs (Respiratory, Oncology & CVRM ), and a range of Corporate functions. Additionally, you can find sales roles throughout the country. Together, we’re contributing to a world-leading pipeline of therapeutics and delivering life-changing medicines to patients.

Who do we look for?

Calling all tech innovators, ownership takers, challenge seekers and proactive collaborators. At AstraZeneca Spain, breakthroughs born in the lab become transformative medicine for the world's most complex diseases. Alongside technical expertise, colleagues have the resilience, energy and collaborative mindset to change lanes, work with different teams and start projects from scratch.

Here, diverse minds and bold disruptors can meaningfully impact the future of healthcare using cutting-edge technology. Whether you join us in Madrid or Barcelona, you can make a tangible impact within a global biopharmaceutical company that invests in your future. Join a talented global team that's powering AstraZeneca to better serve patients every day.

Success Profile

Ready to make an impact in your career? If you're passionate, growth-orientated and a true team player, we'll help you succeed. Here are some of the skills and capabilities we look for.

Diverse collaborators

This is a speak-up culture that values collaboration. You’ll proactively bring your unique perspectives, experiences and skills to the table and seek the same from others. With our international team composition and the need for fast-paced collaboration, you’ll always be building new connections with colleagues.

Cutting-edge innovators

When you join us, you’ll be part of a team that embraces digital technology and data to transform the way we work and the work we do. Every day, you’ll help make history, empowered to ignite your creativity and build something enduring.

Resilient trailblazers

Here, the answers aren’t always available. So, you’ll need to bring a fearless, self-starter mindset to navigate uncharted territories. You’ll harness your ceaseless energy to discover and make the necessary connections with colleagues to shape the future and achieve maximum impact.

Agile movers

Seize ownership and excel with autonomy to enjoy the constant rush of ground-breaking discovery. Your ability to anticipate sudden shifts and adapt swiftly will prove critical as you make your mark in an environment that rewards initiative and resilience.

Responsibilities

Job ID R-236162 Date posted 09/25/2025

Location: Barcelona (on-site)

Do you have expertise in, and passion for clinical development? Are you looking to work at the cutting-edge, where scientific innovations and an entrepreneurial spirit are the norm? Join the team at the heart of AstraZeneca that is committed and encouraged to follow the science in Oncology R&D.

About AstraZeneca

AstraZeneca is a global, science-led, patient-focused biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development and commercialization of prescription medicines for some of the world’s most serious diseases. But we’re more than one of the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies.

We have a bold ambition to provide cures for cancer in every form. We are following the science to understand cancer and all its complexities to discover, develop and deliver life-changing treatments and increase the potential to save the lives of people around the world.

Our Oncology strategy is built with one goal in mind – to push the boundaries of science to change the practice of medicine and transform the lives of patients living with cancer. Our broad pipeline of next-generation medicines, together with our focus on excellence in execution, are aimed at expanding treatment options and improving outcomes for patients with solid tumors and hematological cancers. 

We focus on four strategic priorities:

  • Pioneering research across six scientific platforms: Tumor drivers and resistance; Immuno-oncology; DNA damage response, Antibody drug conjugates, Epigenetics and Cell therapies

  • Advancing innovative clinical strategies to treat early stages of disease and relapsed or refractory patients

  • Building expertise and leadership in the most prevalent and highest mortality rate tumor types

  • Delivering across our global footprint

Oncology Research & Development

Join the team dedicated to Oncology, with an ambition to eliminate cancer as a cause of death. It’s our big vision that unites and inspires us. With multiple indications and high-quality molecules at all stages of our innovative pipeline, we keep pushing forward. Fusing ground breaking science with the latest technology to achieve breakthroughs. Backed by investment, we thrive to deliver 6 new molecular entities by 2025.

A place built on courage, curiosity and collaboration – we make ambitious decisions driven by patient outcomes. Empowered to lead at every level, free to ask questions and take smart risks that write the next chapter for our pipeline and Oncology team.

One area of significant investment is to build internal infrastructure to be a leader in next generation of products in Oncology. Using historical expertise in biologics engineering, gene editing and immune expertise across solid and

hematological malignancies, AstraZeneca is uniquely positioned to develop the best technologies and is already growing a differentiated pipeline.

Position Summary:

We are seeking a well-trained Medical Director who is a clinician with strong leadership skills who is driven by science and the desire to develop novel therapies for cancer patients, and has a proficiency in the drug development process (especially early phase clinical trials), protocol writing & study conduct, data review and reconciliation, the principles of translational medicine, and what it takes to lead teams successfully. This individual will have the opportunity for growth and development while working in a vibrant environment.

You would join AstraZeneca at a time of tremendous growth and acceleration in the oncology portfolio. This is a fast-paced and dynamic work environment where, with growing levels of responsibility. You will be responsible for:

  • Providing long-range clinical development planning, planning and managing of clinical research projects and clinical development programs in oncology.

  • Serve as the Project Medical Monitor while working in a cross functional environment with representatives from other involved line functions as well as Late-Stage Development.

  • Contribute to and support Department/Clinical initiatives to improve the quality and content of all clinical programs as well as the cross functional/organization processes designed to effectively deliver our R&D portfolio.

  • Serve as medical monitor with primary responsibility for patient safety and conduct of assigned trials as well as overall data interpretation and safety surveillance;

  • Establish and approve scientific methods for design and implementation of applicable clinical protocols, data collection systems, and final reports;

  • Responsible for assisting in design of clinical development plans and overall strategy for compounds, therapeutic classes of compounds or indications in light of developments in the area of clinical and pharmaceutical oncology;

  • Collaborate with pre-clinical and translational sciences, and senior management in assessing requirements for emerging products; Provide leadership on cross-functional product development team(s) as experience allows;

  • Participate in identification, selection and conduct of negotiations with clinical research centers and investigators;

  • Participate in the selection and management activities of CROs; Supervise project team members in planning, conducting and evaluating clinical trials;

  • Lead all aspects of planning and management of investigator meetings, advisory boards and other scientific committees.

We are seeking a well-trained clinician with strong leadership skills who is driven by science and the desire to develop novel oncology therapies for cancer patients. Additionally, you will have a clear understanding of the drug development process (especially early phase clinical trials), protocol writing & study conduct, data review and reconciliation, the principles of translational medicine, and what it takes to lead teams successfully.

Essential Requirements:

Education & experience:

  • MD or equivalent required and board certified (or eligible) preferred in Oncology.

  • At least several years of experience in clinical research and/or oncology drug development in pharmaceutical, academic or CRO environment.

  • PhD in a relevant research area is preferred.

Preferred Requirements:

  • Experience in molecular oncology and/or translational science

  • Medical specialty and sub-specialty training and Board Certification

  • Excellent oral and written skills, strong interpersonal and listening skills

  • Results driven to achieve creative and sound outcomes

  • Proven leadership skills and demonstrated ability to interact collaboratively in a cross-functional environment.

  • Ability to make sound and timely decisions; agile in learning and proactive in your approach

  • High level of emotional intelligence; able to deal with ambiguity

  • Able to relate to varied level audiences across the organization; able to set priorities for team and maintain accountability; skillful in negotiating organizational boundaries and hierarchy; able to build effective teams

Find out more:

Our Social Media, Follow AstraZeneca on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/1603/

Follow AstraZeneca on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/astrazenecacareers/

Follow AstraZeneca on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/astrazeneca_careers/?hl=en

Date Posted

28-oct-2025

Closing Date

29-dic-2025

AstraZeneca embraces diversity and equality of opportunity.  We are committed to building an inclusive and diverse team representing all backgrounds, with as wide a range of perspectives as possible, and harnessing industry-leading skills.  We believe that the more inclusive we are, the better our work will be.  We welcome and consider applications to join our team from all qualified candidates, regardless of their characteristics.  We comply with all applicable laws and regulations on non-discrimination in employment (and recruitment), as well as work authorization and employment eligibility verification requirements.

Reasons to Join

Thomas Mathisen

There are many things I enjoy when working at AstraZeneca, mainly the Speak up culture, the great colleagues that are in my teams, the great products that AstraZeneca provides to our patients and the challenging conversations I have around our medicines.

Sales Representative Oslo, Norway

There are many things I enjoy when working at AstraZeneca, mainly the Speak up culture, the great colleagues that are in my teams, the great products that AstraZeneca provides to our patients and the challenging conversations I have around our medicines.

Christine Recchio

Working at AstraZeneca has impacted my life in such a positive way. I now have an improved work-life balance through creating my own schedule and time management, I feel a balance that I didn’t have before.

Sales Representative California, United States

Working at AstraZeneca has impacted my life in such a positive way. I now have an improved work-life balance through creating my own schedule and time management, I feel a balance that I didn’t have before.

Stephanie Ling

There are a lot of reasons why I enjoy working in AstraZeneca, my colleagues being one of them. My team members and the managers have provided a great deal of guidance in helping me to be more confident in my daily work.

Sales Representative Petaling Jaya, Malaysia

There are a lot of reasons why I enjoy working in AstraZeneca, my colleagues being one of them. My team members and the managers have provided a great deal of guidance in helping me to be more confident in my daily work.

What we offer

We're driven by our shared values of serving people, society and the planet. Our people make this possible, which is why we prioritise diversity, inclusivity, balance and sustainability. Discover what a career at AstraZeneca could mean for you.

An award-winning company

We're passionate about being a great place to work, and 84% of our employees would recommend us as an employer. We've been recognised as a Top Employer in Spain, an EFR Family Responsible Business, and we achieved third place in Forbes Spain's Top 50 Best Places to Work list.

Inclusive environment

Diversity and inclusion are embedded in everything we do, and our different views, experiences and strengths enrich our culture. There's no salary gap at AstraZeneca, and the number of female employees has increased by four per cent over the last three years. We've also made all positions fully accessible.

Work-life balance

Your wellbeing means a lot to us, and we're here to support you through all of life's ups and downs. That's why we offer an unpaid leave policy, annual leave, reduced-hours timetables and a host of benefits, including a retirement plan, long service award, and health and travel insurance.

Sustainability initiatives

We're committed to harnessing the power of science to become a more sustainable business. We've reduced our carbon footprint by over 9,000 kg of CO2 over the last two years, and we lead the European GoGreen Project, which aims to introduce environmentally friendly options in our fleet of corporate vehicles.

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Glassdoor logo Rated four stars on Glassdoor

Great culture, great work assignments, supportive management. Rotation opportunity within the company. They value our people.