Director, Bioinformatics
AstraZeneca

We are seeking a Director, Bioinformatics to join our bioinformatics team within Oncology Data Science organization to help us deliver actionable insights to progress the Epigenetics Oncology portfolio at AstraZeneca.

Do you have expertise in, and passion for, the study of Epigenetics in Oncology using Data Science and Bioinformatics? Would you like to apply your expertise to deliver impact to the Oncology Epigenetics Portfolio in a company that follows the science and turns ideas into life changing medicines? Would you like to join an organization that values your contributions, encourages innovation, and supports your career development goals? Would you like to develop and lead a team of talented bioinformaticians to deliver impact to AstraZeneca's Oncology portfolio? Then the Oncology Data Science team at AstraZeneca might be the one for you!

At AstraZeneca, we put patients first and strive to meet their unmet needs worldwide. Working here means being entrepreneurial, thinking big and working together to make the impossible a reality. If you are swift to action, confident to lead, willing to collaborate, and curious about what science can do, then you're our kind of a person.

The Early Data Science group, within Oncology Data Science, delivers data-driven, actionable insights through the application of computational science to all areas of AstraZeneca's Oncology portfolio. The group has substantial expertise and a renowned track record in bioinformatics and data science, undertaking both drug portfolio applied informatics research and the development of cutting-edge capabilities.

AstraZeneca is a company that always follows the science and turns ideas into life changing medicines. The Early Data Science group has a unique role to play in leading the adoption of computational/data driven approaches to the drug discovery process. If this sounds like a role you are excited about AstraZeneca might be the one for you!

Welcome to R&D Boston site in Waltham, MA one of over 400 sites here at AstraZeneca. We provide a collaborative environment where everyone feels comfortable and able to be themselves. This is at the core of AstraZeneca's priorities, and it's important to us that you bring your full self to work every day. To help you maintain your best self, here's a sneak peek into some of the things this site provides for you...

The site has a gym, nearby hiking trails, and an on-site cafeteria. There is a bright and spacious environment. There is a vibrant social vibe including a happy hour, Lunch & Learn series, and a summer volleyball league. The R&D Boston site is also planning to relocate to a brand-new location at Kendall Square, Cambridge MA building in 2026.

The Bioinformatics team members within the Oncology Data Science organization embed in the oncology drug project teams to deliver to the Oncology research and development pipeline, from new target discovery to translational medicine and clinical trials. We strive to deliver actionable data science to drive decision making insights and progress our drugs to new medicines and improve the lives of patients.

We are looking for a Director of Bioinformatics to lead a team to deliver proactive insights to the Oncology Epigenetics small-molecule drug portfolio at R&D Boston.

This role supports the delivery of our Early Oncology Epigenetics portfolio by delivering actionable bioinformatics insights. You will lead the computational strategy and delivery of a team of bioinformaticians advancing the Oncology Epigenetics portfolio. The role will also deliver novel epigenomics capability initiatives and epigenetic biomarker strategies. You will be asked to expand AstraZeneca's leadership in Oncology Epigenetics by engaging with the external scientific community, delivering publications and presentations, and contributing to collaborations. You will be asked to coach and develop the talent of our team of drug project bioinformaticians. You will also be asked to engage globally in a leadership and management team striving to improve AstraZeneca as a great place to work for computational biologists.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead a group of computational scientists at the R&D Boston site to deliver actionable bioinformatics insights to the Oncology Epigenetic Portfolio.
• Build a scientific data science portfolio strategy for the Oncology Epigenetics drug portfolio.
• Deliver a strategy to grow and develop the talent of the Epigenetic bioinformatics team.
• Apply the latest computational/systems biology approaches to the wealth of AZ Oncology clinical and pre-clinical data.
• Use your familiarity with cancer biology/drug discovery to deliver actionable insights that impact development of the next generation of cancer medicines.
• Work with our Early Oncology Discovery & Translational Medicine to proactively influence the generation of data assets as part of a data generation strategy with a focus on Epigenetics.
• Form effective collaborations with industry and academic partners, publish your work in high impact journals, and lead across the AZ data science community to develop best practice.
• Contribute to new target discovery in the epigenetics biology area and the strategy for how new modalities (PROTACs and molecular glues) enable hard to drug targets.
• Sit on the Early Data Science Management Team and help shape strategy as well as daily operations.
• Deliver great place to work initiatives as part of a global management team and propose new strategies to improve team engagement.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Relevant PhD (or equivalent graduate degree plus proven applied experience), combining technical expertise in bioinformatics, computational biology or applied biostatistics.
• 9+ year experience (including Ph.D. training) in applying Computational Biology/Data Sciences to delivering insights in Oncology.
• Deep biological understanding of one or more of these areas: Oncology drug discovery, Tumor driver biology, Cancer Epigenetics, or Cancer Drug resistance.
• Experience mentoring and coaching scientists or leading small teams of scientists.
• Ability to contribute to the global strategy to make AstraZeneca a great place to work for computational biologists.
• Ability to coach, develop talent, and inspire a team to deliver.
• Experience developing novel computational methods or pipelines in cancer epigenetics or new target discovery.
• Highly developed communication and consultancy skills that convey concise, biological stories from complex data.
• The ability to coordinate and pursue multiple simultaneous projects to tight deadlines.
• A track record of scientific communications including impactful publications.
• Proven understanding of the design, development, optimization, and scaling of bioinformatic experiments, applications, and solutions.
• Familiarity with the latest approaches in bioinformatics and data science including R and/or Python.
• Expertise in a Unix environment making use of high performance computing environments.
• Strong network within external bioinformatics and oncology research communities.

Why AstraZeneca?

At AstraZeneca when we see an opportunity for change, we seize it and make it happen, because any opportunity no matter how small, can be the start of something big. Delivering life-changing medicines is about being entrepreneurial - finding those moments and recognising their potential. Join us on our journey of building a new kind of organisation to reset expectations of what a bio-pharmaceutical company can be. This means we're opening new ways to work, pioneering cutting edge methods, and bringing unexpected teams together. Interested? Come and join our journey.

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/

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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.

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