Director HBV Virology Research

Join us at AstraZeneca where you'll have the opportunity to make a difference in people's lives every day. As Director in the Virology and Viral Vaccines group within the Early Vaccines and Immune Therapies Unit (Early V&I) in Gaithersburg, MD, you'll play a pivotal role in channelling our scientific capabilities to make a positive impact on patients’ lives. We are consistently pushing the boundaries of science to deliver life-changing medicines to patients.

The Director will be a key member of a growing, dynamic team focused on developing next-generation vaccines and antibody therapeutics through the drug discovery process. In this role, you will lead a small research team responsible for in vitro and in vivo experiments supporting the design, building, and evaluation of existing and novel vaccines and antibody therapeutics towards protective immunity against relevant viral pathogens. You will contribute to the development of novel ideas in the target identification, antigen design, vaccine vector, vaccine technology, and antibody therapeutics spaces. You will work collaboratively across the organization to drive projects towards successful completion, develop technical summaries, protocols, and quantitative analyses, and be responsible for the day-to-day organization of different project-related components along with the publishing of discoveries in high-quality, peer-reviewed journals and support of IND filing.

Essential Skills/Experience

• Ph.D. in Virology, Molecular Biology, Microbiology, Immunology, Cell Biology, or related scientific field with 10+ years of experience.
• Advanced knowledge of HBV (hepatitis B virus) pathogenesis, concepts, and therapeutic approaches.
• Extensive hands-on experience working with HBV.
• Familiarity with in vivo models to evaluate HBV pathogenesis and vaccine immunogenicity/efficacy.
• Demonstrated track record of research project leadership.
• Strong interpersonal and collaborative skills.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Experience preparing written scientific reports (e.g., manuscripts) and oral presentations (e.g., slides, posters.)
• Ability to multitask and prioritize numerous projects.
• Managerial experience of 4+ persons.

Desirable Skills/Experience

• Experience with basic automation.

At AstraZeneca, we are changemakers on the world stage at an exciting frontier of medicine. We are committed to transforming healthcare and building pandemic preparedness to protect against future health crises. Our team thrives on energy and drive, collaborating to make essential breakthroughs that benefit millions globally. We embrace diversity and inclusion, empowering everyone to bring their whole selves to work. Here, you will find a dynamic community where your voice is valued, and your growth is supported.

Join our dynamic Vaccines and Immune Therapies team! Here we thrive in a diverse environment where everyone is empowered to speak up and share ideas. We encourage and value alternative perspectives as a path to challenge the norm and push the boundaries of science.

Ready to make a meaningful impact? Apply now!

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.