Principal Scientist Cardiovascular Disease in Bioscience

Do you have expertise and a strong scientific reputation in cardiovascular research? Are you excited by a role where you will provide global scientific leadership within your area of expertise to accelerate innovative science and turn ideas into life-changing medicines? Join us to be part of the discovery of future treatments for Cardiovascular, Renal, and Metabolic diseases. We are now recruiting a Principal Scientist with cardiovascular expertise to the Bioscience department in Early Cardiovascular, Renal, and Metabolism (Early CVRM), one of AstraZeneca’s three main therapeutic areas. In the Bioscience department, we focus on identifying and validating new drug targets and delivering preclinical data to projects across all phases of drug discovery and development. As the Principal Scientist, you are a key player in the global CVRM community and in the cardiovascular division, influencing pipeline projects, scientific direction, and capabilities. You will work at the forefront of cardiovascular research and continue to demonstrate scientific leadership through high-quality publications, conference presentations, and by building networks and collaborations with key external authorities. The role will be placed at AstraZeneca’s R&D site in Gaithersburg, US. Here you will be part of an open-minded, and creative working atmosphere based on collaboration and innovation. You will report to the Head of Bioscience Cardiovascular and be part of the bioscience cardiovascular leadership team.

Accountabilities

• Serve as a scientific leader and authority in the cardiovascular area (focus on cardiomyopathy, cardiometabolic disease, and/or atherosclerosis). Bring expertise in heart function and pathophysiology.
• Serve as bioscience/pharmacology lead and project lead for early pipeline projects.
• Independently identify and explore novel drug targets and champion these to become new drug projects.
• Drive innovation and scientific excellence in the cardiovascular area.
• Propose and drive development of cardiovascular models/assays.
• Serve as a member of the Bioscience Cardiovascular Leadership team.
• Accountable for long-term development of the Bioscience department in close collaboration with other senior leaders in Bioscience.
• Collaborate closely with colleagues in Early CVRM and in other essential functions to drive the cardiovascular pipeline.
• Build and maintain a network to key internal and external partners and leading research institutions.
• Build scientific leadership for AstraZeneca by publishing scientific papers and presenting at conferences.

Essential Skills/Experience

• PhD, M.D. or equivalent academic merits in the cardiovascular field, with specific focus on cardiomyopathy or cardiometabolic disease.
• Minimum of 4 years of industry experience.
• Strong scientific background and understanding of cardiac biology and disease and the link between metabolic aspects and cardiovascular risk
• Strong leadership capabilities
• Proven track record to lead sophisticated collaborations and partnerships
• Strong experience in in vitro and in vivo work within the cardiovascular area
• Strong publication track record in the cardiovascular area
• Excellent communication and networking skills
• Outstanding teamworking skills and a consistent record of working collaboratively to ensure scientific excellence and timely progression of projects

Desirable Skills/Experience

• Postdoc in a relevant area
• Experience in working with atherosclerosis and expertise in microvascular dysfunction and plaque formation
• Extensive drug discovery experience and preferably with experience in progressing drug targets to clinical testing

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 outstanding and bold world.

Be encouraged and supported to think creatively in our dynamic environment. Here we are free from fear of failure, free to ask the right questions, and make ambitious decisions. It takes resilience to embody our entrepreneurial spirit. For those who flourish with experimentation, you'll get to work with knowns and unknowns. Exploring without limits.

The annual base pay for this position ranges from $ 172,672 - $259,008 USD Annual. Hourly and salaried non-exempt employees will also be paid overtime pay when working qualifying overtime hours. Base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.  In addition, our positions offer a short-term incentive bonus opportunity; eligibility to participate in our equity-based long-term incentive program (salaried roles), to receive a retirement contribution (hourly roles), and commission payment eligibility (sales roles). Benefits offered included a qualified retirement program [401(k) plan]; paid vacation and holidays; paid leaves; and, health benefits including medical, prescription drug, dental, and vision coverage in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans. Additional details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment. If hired, employee will be in an “at-will position” and the Company reserves the right to modify base pay (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, Company or individual department/team performance, and market factors.  ​

If your passion is science and you want to be part of a team that makes a bigger impact on patients' lives, then please apply no later than 16 May 2025.

For more information, please contact Karin Jennbacken, Karin.jennbacken@astrazeneca.com

Ready to make a difference? Apply now!

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.