Director, Epidemiology

AstraZeneca seeks an exceptional candidate with in‑depth, specialist knowledge of epidemiology and infectious diseases and their application to pharmaceutical development and medical strategy. This Director will generate, evaluate, and present high‑quality epidemiologic and clinical evidence to guide product value, risk–benefit, and appropriate use. They will provide scientific input to cross‑functional decision makers and external bodies; maintain expert awareness of pathogen trends, surveillance methodologies, and emerging therapeutic resistance; they will coach other epidemiology and medical staff. They will maintain awareness of the external environment to evaluate emerging health threats and opportunities to protect populations worldwide.

Job Accountabilities

• Evaluates and analyzes surveillance, clinical, and real‑world data and generates high‑quality epidemiologic input to the target product profile, medical strategy, value demonstration plan, and market access & pricing strategy for antibacterial and anti‑infective products.

• Leads medical and epidemiologic contributions to research planning and resolves complex issues affecting clinical development.

• Interfaces with study team personnel and colleagues in development and administration of observational studies, registries, burden‑of‑illness analyses, and modeling (e.g., transmission dynamics, resistance evolution, cost‑effectiveness of stewardship and interventions).

• Prepares proposals for epidemiology, RWE, and outcomes research work packages; manages vendor/CRO selection and oversight for surveillance studies, prospective cohorts, and data‑linkage projects.

• Holds budgeting responsibility for subprojects within medical, value demonstration, or clinical program teams; ensures delivery to time, budget, and quality.

• Leads project management with academic partners, public health agencies, and CROs; contributes to investigator meetings and prepares scientific work materials and presentations.

• Assists in medical writing, references, and development of dossiers and evidentiary materials for reimbursement/formulary decisions; ensures integration of epidemiologic burden and unmet need.

• Prepares epidemiology and outcomes evidence as background materials for regulatory submissions and interactions; participates in regulatory discussions on clinical development, labeling, and post‑marketing commitments (e.g., surveillance plans, pharmacovigilance, effectiveness in subpopulations).

• Advances knowledge of infectious‑disease epidemiology and the impact of pharmaceutical product development; identifies and curates external data sources (national surveillance, hospital networks, lab databases) and literature to inform strategy.

• Reviews independent investigator proposals to incorporate relevant epidemiologic and outcomes components consistent with local clinical development and Phase IV/post‑marketing requirements, including stewardship outcomes.

• Creates a culture of courageous leadership, scientific rigor, creativity, and collaboration; champions public health priorities.

Education, Qualifications, Skills and Experience

• Essential: MD or PhD in a relevant field (epidemiology, infectious disease, public health, health services research) and at least 5 years experience within the pharmaceutical, medical, and/or public health sector(s).

• Desirable: Knowledge of international healthcare systems and their evolving needs for epidemiology, outcomes, and stewardship evidence. Strong knowledge of legal/regulatory environments influencing clinical development, labeling, promotional claims, and appropriate‑use programs. Ability to provide innovative scientific leadership across medical strategy and value demonstration work streams. Demonstrated capability to evaluate threats and opportunities and adapt strategy accordingly. Well‑developed conceptual and analytical thinking, with the ability to access internal/external expert resources. Ability to implement multi‑stakeholder projects with high autonomy. Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Ability to communicate medical strategy, epidemiologic evidence, and value narratives to commercial stakeholders. Well‑developed cultural sensitivity and the ability to represent the company externally to key scientific and public health stakeholders.