Lead Consultant - Knowledge Graph and Semantic Engineer

Job Title: Lead Consultant - Knowledge Graph and Semantic Engineer

Careel Level: E

Introduction to role:

Are you ready to make a difference in the world of medicine? At AstraZeneca, we are seeking a Lead Consultant - Knowledge Graph and Semantic Engineer to join our Operations IT team. Our global IT capability supports the Global Operations organization, partnering with areas such as Pharmaceutical Technology Development, Manufacturing & Global Engineering, Quality Control, Sustainability, Supply Chain, Logistics, and Global External Sourcing and Procurement. With operations hub sites in the UK, Sweden, US, China, and Global Technology Centres in India and Mexico, our work directly impacts patients by transforming our ability to develop life-changing medicines. We empower the business to perform at its peak by combining cutting-edge science with leading digital technology platforms and data. Join us in a dynamic and challenging environment where you can learn, grow, and innovate.

Accountabilities:

As a Knowledge Graph and Semantic Engineer, you will play a crucial role in designing and delivering semantic and graph-based solutions for AstraZeneca’s Operations IT. This hands-on role is perfect for someone with a strong foundation in data engineering, Python, and graph database technologies who is eager to build and extend their skills in semantic web, ontology modeling, and knowledge graph design. You will collaborate with stakeholders across Operations and IT to shape the roadmap for knowledge graph and semantic services, advocate for semantic modeling best practices, and champion the use of FAIR data principles. Your responsibilities will include building enterprise-grade knowledge graphs, designing ontologies, developing semantic pipelines, exploring emerging trends in knowledge representation, and collaborating with product owners and domain leads to translate requirements into graph designs.

Essential Skills/Experience:

• Strong hands-on experience with graph database technologies (e.g., Neo4j) and query languages (e.g., Cypher).

• Proficiency in semantic web technologies such as RDF, OWL, SHACL, and SPARQL.

• Expertise in Python for data transformation, validation, and automation.

• Familiarity with data modeling principles, taxonomies, and metadata structures.

• Experience working in agile teams and collaborating with both technical and business stakeholders.

• Excellent documentation and communication skills, with the ability to explain complex semantic concepts to non-specialists.

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Data Engineering, Information Systems or related field (Master’s preferred).

Desirable Skills/Experience:

• Experience with triple stores or enterprise-grade semantic platforms (e.g., GraphDB, Stardog, Amazon Neptune).

• Knowledge of ontology management tools (e.g., Protégé), schema editors, or controlled vocabulary tools.

• Understanding of graph-based AI techniques, including embeddings, reasoning, or similarity-based search.

• Familiarity with data governance, FAIR data frameworks, and knowledge representation standards.

• Experience with industrial data systems (ERP, MES, IoT) and integrating operational data into semantic layers.

• Awareness of use case specific GenAI tools available in the market and their application in day-to-day work scenarios.

• Possess working knowledge of basic prompting techniques and continuously improve these skills.

• Stay up-to-date with developments in AI and GenAI, applying new insights to work-related situations.

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.

AstraZeneca offers an environment where you can connect across the whole business to power each function to better influence patient outcomes. Here you can play a crucial role in driving disruptive transformation on our journey to becoming a digital and data-led enterprise. Collaborate with leading experts in our specialist communities to unleash the power of our latest innovations in data, machine learning, and technology. We are dedicated to combining science with our knowledge to deliver greater value for patients every day. With high ethical standards and a commitment to innovation, AstraZeneca is where complex information turns into life-changing insights.

Ready to make an impact? Apply now to join AstraZeneca's innovative team!