Senior Director, Biologics Automation

Senior Director, Biologics Automation

Location: Cambridge - UK (Cambridge Biomedical Campus) / US (Gaithersburg, MD)

At AstraZeneca, we’re not afraid to do things differently. We’re building a new kind of organisation to reset expectations of what a bio-pharmaceutical company can be. This means we’re opening up new ways to work, pioneering ground-breaking methods and bringing cross-functional teams together!

The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in setting out our vision, leadership and delivery in automating our drug discovery workflows; responsible for shaping the "what & why" of our strategy, while also serving as a deep technical expert in the "how". This position requires strong leadership, critical thinking, and technical expertise. This is a unique opportunity to apply strategic and operational leadership within innovative technical fields of research to create future medicines to feed our expanding portfolio of biologics.

Your team will include ~10 dedicated automation specialists working across our major strategic R&D hubs in Cambridge UK, Gaithersburg US and Boston US. You will be expected to work in close partnership with leaders across our Biologics Engineering department (incorporating teams including Bioinformatics, Augmented Design, Protein Sciences, Protein Engineering and Assays, Profiling and Pharmacology), as well as build strong networks and collaborations across AstraZeneca and the wider global R&D community.  

You will lead our approach to reimagining our biologics discovery workflows through internal innovation as well as strategic external partnerships in the automation space.

Main duties and responsibilities

You will lead a direct line of ~10 scientists across our UK & US sites focused on Automation. You will also lead large matrix projects across AstraZeneca R&D - incorporating colleagues across global AstraZeneca to implement next generation discovery workflows such as high throughput and in silico methods for AstraZeneca drug projects.

As a senior leader within our Biologics Engineering organisation, you will also have a significant role in leading both line and global matrix teams to maximise individual talents, as well as develop high-performing teams by role modelling and leading by example. You will also be expected to communicate strategy and delivery to AstraZeneca’s senior leadership in a way which is clear and concise.

This opportunity enables you to work within a first-class biologics R&D environment to support medicine creation across all of AstraZeneca’s Therapeutic Areas. You will develop and maintain a high level of science and technology knowledge and continue to build world leading specialist expertise in biologics design and technology.

Essential requirements

• PhD in a relevant scientific subject area or equivalent experience

• Strong track record of implementing automation/robotics in drug discovery innovation, supported by publications

• Strong understanding and track record of leadership in biologics discovery

• Proven ability to lead line organisations across multiple subject areas, cultures and geographies

• Demonstrable experience in workflow, process and method development related to next generation biologics workflows and automation

• Demonstrable experience in applying automation to biologics discovery projects

• Experience in leading biologics and technology projects and matrix management of diverse teams across different regions / time zones

• Track record of promoting, motivating and empowering others to accomplish individual, team and organisational objectives

• Ability to initiate and successfully deliver value from external collaborations

• Confidence in representing AstraZeneca externally as an invited speaker at leading conferences

• Excellent communication skills

• Demonstrated ability to build and sustain networks and excellent working relationships with scientific/leadership teams globally

Desirable requirements

• Experience in leading change management initiatives and engaging organisations in new ways of working

• Experience in complex project management and delivery

In Office Requirement:

When we put unexpected teams in the same room, we unleash 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 ambitious world.

So, what’s next:

Are you already envisioning yourself joining our team? Good, because we can’t wait to hear from you!

Why AstraZeneca?

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.