Associate Director, Translational Science

Associate Director, Translational Science

Join AstraZeneca, a leading pharmaceutical company that transcends global boundaries to tackle challenges head-on. We are committed to forging partnerships that drive the pursuit of world-class medicines in innovative ways. We are looking for a highly skilled, lab-based scientist with expertise in high-plex spatial transcriptomics and antibody-based proteomics to join our oncology spatial biology team. You will play a pivotal role in designing and implementing experimental approaches that provide actionable insights into mechanisms of action/resistance and patient selection for candidate oncology drugs using clinical samples. Our cross-functional Oncology Translational Medicine team includes experts in pathology, wet lab, computational biology, AI, genomics, and proteomics. Be at the forefront of translational science and cancer biomarker development at AstraZeneca, impacting an industry-leading portfolio from early clinical development through post-marketing opportunities supporting approved targeted therapies.

Accountabilities:

• Apply strong expertise in high-plex spatial transcriptomics and proteomics platforms (Xenium, CosMx, GeoMx or similar) to the design and execution of experiments.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional team members to design and implement experiments addressing mechanistic questions.
• Prepare and present reports on projects and team deliverables; communicate effectively with team members, stakeholders, and senior management.
• Ensure laboratory compliance with all internal and external standards and regulations, including Good Laboratory Practice, Human Biological Sample requirements, and Safety, Health and Environment standards by participating in regular audits, authoring standard operating procedures, and preparing risk mitigation plans.
• Process, manage, and track human biological samples using designated systems.
• Manage the ordering of lab supplies and the organization and inventory of all laboratory resources and stocks.
• Oversee the procurement, calibration, maintenance, and repair of laboratory equipment.
• Stay abreast of scientific and technical advances that can improve efficiency, effectiveness, and productivity.

Essential Skills/Experience:

• Bachelors degree with 10+ years of experience or Masters degree with 7+ years of experience and demonstrated capability in designing and implementing experiments on high-plex spatial biology platforms such as GeoMx, CosMx, Xenium.
• Hands-on wet lab experience on high-plex spatially-resolved platformsrequired. 
• Technical expertise in drug development and one or several disciplines required for data delivery, and knowledge of immuno-oncology/cancer biology.
• Demonstrated technical expertise using spatial biology platform(s).
• Experience handling and processing human tumor biopsies.
• Expertise with LIMS for Human Biological Sample management and tracking.
• Design of workflows to generate high-quality results.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills; ability to clearly and concisely communicate highly technical work.
• Collaborative, ability to work well with and influence others.
• Proactive and creative, with ability to work in a dynamic and fast-paced environment to deliver decision-enabling data.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail; sufficient expertise across disciplines to provide critical input on protocols, processes, and reports.

AstraZeneca is dedicated to following the science. Join a team driven by curiosity, passion, and determination as we pave the way to transform the practice of medicine in Oncology. With one of the broadest Oncology pipelines in the industry, you'll have the opportunity to work with novel drugs and discover what's next. Empowered by collaboration across diverse functions, we challenge norms, take smart risks, and learn from failures. Our commitment to patients is embedded in our pioneering spirit.

Ready to make a difference? Apply now to be part of our transformative journey!