Associate Director/Director Early Stage Formulation Science

Associate Director/Director – Early Stage Formulation Sciences

Do you have a passion for Science? Would you like to apply your expertise to impact a company that follows the science and turns ideas into life changing medicines? Then 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 person.

About AstraZeneca in Gaithersburg, MD:

Our Gaithersburg, Maryland facility creates life-changing medicines for people around the world.  This campus employs more than 3,500 experts in our field and is only a short drive from Washington, DC. This modern and vibrant scientific campus is the home of R&D and Oncology in the US. Here, we play host to some of the most cutting-edge technology and lab spaces, all designed to inspire collaboration and cross-functional science. We believe employees benefit from being challenged and inspired at work. We are dedicated to creating a culture of inclusion and collaboration.

The Gaithersburg site offers a variety of amenities to help boost productivity and help keep our employees happy and healthy. This includes a fitness center, employee healthcare clinic, electric vehicle charging stations, dry cleaning, full-service cafeteria and copy center. This is where you’ll find newly-designed, activity-based work spaces to suit a variety of working styles while increasing collaboration between teams. 

Summary of the group:

The Biopharmaceutical Development (BPD) group is a multi-disciplinary scientific function providing expertise in Process/Analytical/Formulation/Device Development and Characterization with integrated Bioprocess Engineering, Clinical Manufacturing, and Supply Chain and Logistics operations. The group is also responsible for transferring the processes to different clinical and commercial sites in and outside the AstraZeneca organization. BPD group is present in multiple sites in US and UK.

This position is in Early Stage Formulation Sciences within BPD, responsible for designing and developing formulation and Drug Product presentations from pre-clinical through Phase 3 clinical trials and in support of commercialization. The candidate will be in a leadership role and will report to the group head.

Main Duties & Responsibilities:

• Provide scientific and strategic leadership for  protein  formulation and Drug Product development
• Manage cross-functional teams in a matrix organization including  science & technology, Drug Product, and CMC teams
• Active engagement in external science through publications, conferences, and relevant scientific forums to support growth of a strong scientific culture

Education & Experience Requirements:

• For Director: BS and 17+ or MS and 15+ or PhD and 10+ years of relevant experience. Degree should be in Chemical/biochemical engineering, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences or related field.
• For Associate Director: BS and 15+ or MS and 13+ or PhD and 7+ years of relevant experience. Degree should be in Chemical/biochemical engineering, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences or related field.

Required Skills:

• Proven leadership track record
• Scientific leader in  parenteral protein formulation development from pre-clinical to Ph3 clinical studies
• Scientific expert in protein biophysical characterization (e.g., high concentration formulations)  
• Experience with developability assessment of complex protein modalities (e.g., mAbs, bispecifics, antibody fusions, ADCs, T-cell engagers) to support early CMC development 
• Knowledge of predictive tools for protein development (e.g., in-silico and structural modeling, machine learning tools)
• Experience with combination product development
• Science oriented, highly motivated individual with drive to succeed
• Excellent communication skills, strong interpersonal skills, and ability to thrive in an interdisciplinary fast paced environment

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 ready to bring new ideas and fresh thinking to the table? Brilliant! We have one seat available and we hope it’s yours.

Where can I find out more?

Check out our landing page for more information on our BPD group  https://careers.astrazeneca.com/bpd

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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 authorisation and employment eligibility verification requirements.