Senior Director of Bioinformatics, Vaccines & Immune Therapies

Do you have expertise in, and passion for, Bioinformatics? Would you like to apply your expertise to impact the Vaccines and Immune Therapies initiatives in a company that follows the science and turns ideas into life changing medicines? Then AstraZeneca might be the one for you!

AstraZeneca is a global, science-led, patient-focused biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development and commercialisation 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.

Senior Director of Discovery and Translational Bioinformatics for Vaccines and Immune Therapies is responsible for developing the bioinformatics, laboratory information management system (LIMS) and automation strategy. They are also accountable to deliver on a portfolio of bioInformatics projects that draw scientific insights and hypothesis from animal and clinical data to drive decision-making in pre-clinical, clinical and post marketing approval activities. 

The role will develop strategies and lead global programmes which apply virological and bacteriological knowledge in molecular epidemiology, target discovery and biomarker discovery to support vaccine and immune therapeutics development.  They will employ specialized data processing techniques, analytical, machine learning capabilities that deliver maximum value and return on investment for the business.  The role will be responsible for influencing senior internal stakeholders and manage external collaborations and vendors to deliver effective solutions. The role will sit on the Early Vaccines & Immune Therapies Leadership Team to develop the functional strategy and operational plans.

What You'll Do:

• Developing multi-year strategy for portfolio of bioinformatics projects and ensuring implementation, including capability sizing, skill profiles, supplier models, technology platforms and cross functional strategic alignment.

• Using domain-specific understanding (virology, bacteriology, immunology and clinical informatics), lead teams to translate unstructured, complex scientific and clinical questions into the appropriate structure across projects

• Determine appropriate frameworks and standards for the use of computational and analytical methods to solve problems, in the relevant scientific or clinical area, which guide decision-making

• Create and foster effective relationships with senior and executive stakeholders in Research, Translational Medicine, Clinical,Biometrics, Data Science and AI, Information Technology and Regulatory Affairs to ensure utilization and value of information resources and services across a portfolio of projects.

• Responsible for ensuring in all projects within their area, their teams clearly and objectively communicate results, as well as their associated risks, uncertainties and limitations

• Lead the adoption of ongoing knowledge and awareness in trends, standard methodology and new developments in analytics and data science to directly influence functional practices and strategy

• Oversees a portfolio of vaccines and immune therapies data science projects across multiple locations

• Define the training standards for junior colleagues in line with best practices and principles

• Oversight and accountability of significant partnerships with multiple third-parties, academic or outsourced partners

• Validation and quality assurance of analytics approaches and outputs of other team members

• Serve on the Early Vaccines and Immune Therapies Leadership Team to develop and implement long-term and mid-term strategies

Essential for the role

• Bachelors Degree (or equivalent number of years of experience) in mathematics, computer science, molecular biology, chemistry, genetics, computational biology, biochemistry, or a related discipline.

• Significant experience with relevant application domain (eg cell and molecular biology, disease progression and clinical treatment, immunology, microbiology)

• Proven understanding of the design, development, optimization, and scaling of informatics applications and solutions

• Significant in-depth experience in the modelling of complex datasets in the relevant informatics application domains

• Significant experience of manipulating and analysing large high dimensionality unstructured datasets, drawing conclusions, defining recommended actions, and reporting results across stakeholders

• Proven experience in leading and managing junior colleagues

• Proven experience in developing and controlling budgets

• Excellent written and verbal communication, business analysis, and consultancy skills

• Experience in novel methods development and implementation

Desirable for the role:

• Master or PhD degree mathematics, computer science, molecular biology, chemistry, genetics, computational biology, biochemistry, or a related discipline.

• Comfortable working in high performance computing or cloud environment

• Comfortable working in the laboratory or with laboratory personnel to implement automation solutions, LIMs and electronic notebooks

• Proven track record of publishing relevant results and tools in peer-reviewed journals, conferences, and other scientific proceedings.

• Experience in life sciences and healthcare

• Experience in novel methods development and application

• Experience in a complex global organization

Why AstraZeneca?

At AstraZeneca we’re dedicated to being a Great Place to Work. Where you are empowered to push the boundaries of science and unleash your entrepreneurial spirit. There’s no better place to make a difference to medicine, patients and society. An inclusive culture that champions diversity and collaboration, and always committed to lifelong learning, growth and development. We’re on an exciting journey to pioneer the future of healthcare.

So, what’s next!

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

Where can I 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

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.

AstraZeneca requires all US employees to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 but will consider requests for reasonable accommodations as required by applicable law.