Director, Gene Editing Technologies

Are you ready to lead the future of gene editing technologies? We are on the hunt for a visionary Director of Gene Editing Technologies to spearhead our innovative gene editing technology team. This role is perfect for someone with a robust background in gene editing, proven line management experience, and a track record of developing novel gene editing technologies.

Take the opportunity to join the Genome Engineering team within our Discovery Sciencesdepartment at our strategic R&D site in Gothenburg, Sweden.

What you’ll do?
As the Director of Gene Editing Technologies, you will be responsible for leading and managing the gene editing team, providing strategic direction for gene editing projectsas well asmentor and develop team members, fostering a culture of innovation and excellence.You will develop and implement innovative gene editing technologies, focusing on CRISPR and other advanced methodologies. You will also collaborate with our rare disease unit to discover, functionally characterize,and advance in thepreclinical and clinical development of new genomic targets. Your leadership will be crucial in projects focused on rare diseases, from target identification through to preclinical development.  ​

Your job accountabilities will also include overseeing the development and validation of gene editing assays and protocols, and fostering collaborations with internal and external partners to advance gene editing research and applications. Additionally, you will be responsible for developing and optimizingrobust,reliableandtherapeutically relevantdelivery tools for gene editing technologies. You will furthermore be responsible for ensuring that all projects are conducted in compliance with regulatory standards and ethical guidelines, and for managing project timelines, budgets, and resource allocation to ensure successful project outcomes.

Essential for the role

• Ph.D. in Molecular Biology, Genetics, Biochemistry, or a related field 

• Demonstrated line management experience and excellent leadership, communication, and project management skills 

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in gene editing 

• Demonstrated ability to lead a team developing novel gene editing technologies 

• Expertise in functional genomics and target identification 

• Experience with artificial intelligence (AI) applications in gene editing and protein design 

• Proven track record in leading therapeutic projects focused on rare diseases 

• Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced, multidisciplinary environment

• Strong publication record in high-impact scientific journals 

Desirable for the role

• Experience with both in vitro and in vivo non-viral (LNP, VLP) delivery of CRISPR, TALENs, ZFNs, and other gene editing tools 

• Preferential experience in DNA repair and manipulation of DNA repair systems 

• Experience in drug development and translational research 

About AstraZeneca
At AstraZeneca, we are driven by our desire to understand and reveal new insights. We are committed to making a difference by fusing data and technology with the latest scientific innovations to achieve the next wave of breakthroughs. Our inclusive environment allows us to work seamlessly as one, uniting the best from academia, biotechs, and the industry. We are always learning from those living with diseases and harness digital, data science & AI to fast-forward our research. This is the place to go beyond discovery and make a real difference in patients' lives across the world.

What’s next?
Are you ready to push the boundaries of science to deliver life-changing medicines? Apply now and join us in our mission to improve patient access to healthcare globally!

If this sounds like your next challenge - welcome to join us at AstraZeneca. Please include a resume and cover letter highlighting your previous experience of importance for this role. We welcome your application no later thanJanuary 6, 2025. For further details around this position, you are welcome to contact hiring manager Marcello Maresca at marcello.maresca@astrazeneca.com

NOTE - Due to the holiday season, the screening process may take a bit longer than usual – please bear with us, and we will get back to you as soon as possible when we are back at work in January.

Additional information
Our Gothenburg site: https://www.astrazeneca.com/our-science/gothenburg.html
Life in Gothenburg: https://www.movetogothenburg.com/
Make a move to Global Gothenburg: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-Iqbb4aw38
About BioPharmaceuticals R&D: https://www.astrazeneca.com/r-d.html

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.