Director, Precision Medicine Oncology

The Role

Are you excited about Precision Medicine? Would you like have an impact on patients’ lives and contribute to eliminate cancer as a cause of death? If so, then join us!

We’re investing like never before in our people, in growth, and in new diagnostic techniques and technologies. There are opportunities at every turn, with a variety and breadth that is uncommon to find and an industry-leading pipeline in oncology. Scientists at AstraZeneca are working every day to turn science fiction into science fact. Our ambition - to develop innovative, targeted medicines for every patient that needs them - and to match those treatments to patients most likely to benefit from them – is now a reality. This approach, known as Precision Medicine, is based on those individual characteristics that make some patients respond to treatment better than others. We use this knowledge to develop diagnostic tests that doctors can use to help prescribe the best treatment for each patient. Indeed, it’s now become common practice for patients with cancer to be offered such diagnostic tests before their treatment plan is agreed.

The AstraZeneca Precision Medicine Oncology team within the Precision Medicine and Biosamples function drives scientific leadership through the delivery of innovative companion diagnostics approaches enabling our oncology ambition to transform the lives of patients living with cancer, and ultimately eliminate cancer as a cause of death. 

We do this by:

• Leading the development of diagnostics across AstraZeneca’s early and late-stage oncology portfolios through close collaborations with our external diagnostic partners.

• Leading the development and implementation of patient selection strategies to deliver companion diagnostics programs in support of our business priorities.

• Leading companion diagnostic regulatory interactions to secure companion diagnostic approvals in major markets

• Collaborate across AstraZeneca with colleagues in multiple partner functions to help drive market uptake.

• Developing strategies for early cancer detection, near patient testing and implementing testing options for minimal residual disease and early treatment interventions. 

• Utilising artificial intelligence diagnostic solutions and seeing software as a medical device.

• Developing specific disease area strategies (e.g. lung cancer, breast cancer or haematological malignancies) and new diagnostic modalities.

• Collaborating closely with fellow pharma companies on joint assets.

Join this fantastic, collaborative team and be part of our success; we have already delivered over 60 innovative and impactful companion (or complementary) oncology diagnostic approvals across the major markets of the US, EU, Japan and China since 2014 and we need you to help us take the next steps in patient-centric diagnostic development.

If this sounds like the type of organisation where you would like to grow your career and make a real difference to patients, then we would like to hear from you.

Typical Accountabilities, what you will be doing:

The PMB (Precision Medicine and Biosamples) Director, Precision Medicine Oncology ensures that innovative companion diagnostic tests or equivalent segmentation tools are delivered to our oncology drug projects.

As a Director, you’ll be a member of the Precision Medicine Oncology team. The role is accountable for ensuring that diagnostic tests are delivered for precision medicine projects aligned with an asset’s clinical development plan. The role holder will achieve this by drawing on in vitro diagnostic development subject matter expertise and experience from across R&D and through demonstration of strong collaboration and matrix leadership skills to ensure the implementation of precision medicine approaches that ultimately lead to diagnostic approval.

The role holder can be assigned to lead one or more global studies and will be responsible for implementing the diagnostic strategy and diagnostic testing activities, leading a matrix team of expert contributors required for diagnostic development and delivery.

Education, Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

Essential:

• Master’s degree in a relevant subject.

• 5 years of relevant experience.

• Experience of companion diagnostic tests or patient biomarker/segmentation tools in clinical development.

• Experience of Precision Medicine approaches and diagnostic development within the relevant therapeutic area.

• Effective communication, stakeholder, influencing skills and programme management.

• Significant understanding of the functions involved in companion diagnostic development and how they contribute to achieving successful diagnostic submissions and approvals.

Desirable:

• Ph.D. in relevant subject.

• Significant previous experience in a similar role in different companies.

• Delivery of companion diagnostics, regulatory interactions and commercialisation.

• High quality scientific expertise in the field of Precision Medicine or relevant therapeutic area as evidenced by publications.

If this sounds like the type of organisation where you would like to grow your career and make a real difference to patients, then we would like to hear from you; apply today!

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.