Molecular Diagnostic Science Manager
Cambridge Biomedical Campus
12 Month Fixed Term Contract or Secondment
Are you an experienced Molecular Biologist with a passion to apply your skills and bring technical expertise and scientific innovation to develop early disease diagnostics for use in a clinical setting? If so, this could be the role for you!
AstraZeneca delivers companion and complementary diagnostic assays that match medicines to those patients who are most likely to benefit from them. This approach, known as Precision Medicine, is based on those individual characteristics that make some patients respond to treatment better than others. We use this knowledge to develop diagnostic tests that doctors can use to help prescribe the best treatment for each patient.
As a Manager, Molecular Diagnostics Science in ctDNA Diagnostics, you will use your knowledge of ctDNA and other ground breaking technologies and approaches (Next Generation Sequencing (NGS), Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS), Whole Exome Sequencing (WES), Minimal Residual Disease (MRD) etc.) to provide scientific and technical expertise to deliver innovative ctDNA diagnostic approaches to AstraZeneca’s clinical portfolio, through strategic partnerships with leading diagnostic companies.
The role holder will be accountable for:
Being responsible for the delivery of ctDNA diagnostic science and innovation projects, through close collaboration with the cross-functional ctDNA team
Building and maintaining a knowledge of current and new technologies in ctDNA diagnostics, with a particular focus on oncology, and seeing opportunities for innovation and internal/external collaborations
Evaluating the performance of novel ctDNA diagnostics for prognosis and Minimal Residual Disease, through delivery of diagnostic feasibility and harmonisation studies
Developing innovative ctDNA diagnostic science proposals across core therapeutic areas
Providing scientific and strategic feedback into ctDNA-based precision medicine approaches for diagnostic and drug product teams
Ensuring that all activities are delivered demonstrating behaviours and values aligned to AstraZeneca Code of Conduct and supporting policies, standards and procedures, including compliant management of Budget, Safety, Health and Environment
Typical Accountabilities, what you will be doing:
Strategic direction
Make a marked contribution to overall ctDNA diagnostic strategy to identify and evaluate diagnostic partners who can further the mission of AZ diagnostic and drug product teams
Deliver scientific and strategic advice to the development and execution of ctDNA diagnostic science projects and feasibility studies to advise internal decision-making, as well as address barriers to meet the needs of patients, physicians, regulators and payers and give to AZ drug products
Obtain and lead investment to enable ctDNA diagnostic innovation and science work packages
Deliver advice of high scientific quality on ctDNA diagnostic testing options for precision medicine approaches and companion diagnostic development to relevant product teams
Leadership
Provide leadership for delivery of ctDNA diagnostic science within AstraZeneca’s Precision Medicine and Biosamples department, including communication of a clear and inspirational vision for ctDNA diagnostic science strategy
Draw upon previous experience and knowledge to provide and maintain a relevant knowledge base of ctDNA diagnostic development and new technologies for the Molecular Diagnostics, Precision Medicine and project teams
Planning, Monitoring and Delivering
Ensure delivery of objectives and milestones for ctDNA diagnostic innovation and science projects, including sourcing and tracking of human biological samples for feasibility studies and managing collaborations
Accountable for the delivery of ctDNA diagnostic innovation and science projects to time, budget and quality
Assessing and Handling Risk
Provide regular updates on progress, risks, issues and opportunities to Molecular Diagnostic team, ctDNA team, governance bodies or leadership teams as the need arises
Work with Molecular Diagnostics leadership team to resolve resource, quality and budget issues
Manage risk in an appropriate and compliant manner
Ensure compliance with all AstraZeneca Policies and Standards and immediately address instances of non-compliance
Governance processes and stakeholder interactions
Provide data to senior leaders and to governance bodies as required
Ensure that all governance issues are identified and reported appropriately
Education, Qualifications, Skills and Experience:
Essential:
Masters / PhD or equivalent experience in a relevant subject
Record of delivery in a scientific capability
Leadership ability and global team working
Excellent molecular biology skills including experience in Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS), ctDNA, DNA and RNA handling methods and other relevant molecular biology, genomics and/or epigenomics techniques
Excellent knowledge of current technology trends in ctDNA diagnostics
Excellent knowledge of scientific literature with deep understanding in molecular biology, ctDNA diagnostics, demonstrated through publications in peer reviewed journals
Experience of leading projects within a molecular biology, diagnostic or drug development organisation
Experience of working with external partners or collaborators (ideally academic investigators and diagnostic companies) and in large cross-functional teams to drive timely and successful outcomes, through effectively working across internal and external boundaries.
Ability to communicate with cross-functional stakeholders for project updates through oral presentations and progress reports
Ability to identify risks and escalate appropriately
Good interpersonal skills and ability to act as an ambassador for Precision Medicine internally and externally
Can work in multidisciplinary teams/projects and can influence across disciplines
Ability to manage change and uncertainty
A confident team player who is assertive but willing to listen and learn from the views of others
Excellent organisational skills, with the proven ability to deliver high quality work under pressure and against tight timelines
Knowledge of, and enthusiasm for, the aims and objectives of personalised healthcare
Willingness to travel both nationally and internationally
Desirable:
An understanding of drug and companion diagnostic assay co-development and commercialisation and experience working in early and/or late phase projects
Good understanding of epigenomics and methylation-based diagnostics
Demonstrable experience of analytical diagnostic assay validation and use in a clinical testing setting
Demonstrable experience of successful scientific proposal applications including resource and budget planning
Good computational and data analysis skills enabling automated/semi-automated analysis of large datasets (e.g. using software and programming languages such as R, Python, knime or equivalent)
Good understanding of oncology
Knowledge of requirements related to handling of Human Biological Samples
Proven experience of delivery and use of data for diagnostic projects for regulatory submissions
Experience of leading projects within a diagnostic or drug development organisation.
Next steps, if you feel you are suitable for the role please apply!
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 recognizing their potential. Join us on our journey of building a new kind of organization to reset expectations of what a bio-pharmaceutical company can be. This means we’re opening new ways to work, pioneering innovative methods and bringing unexpected teams together. Interested? Come and join our journey.
So, what’s next?
A place built on courage, curiosity and collaboration – we make bold decisions driven by patient outcomes. Empowered to lead at every level, free to ask questions and take calculated risks that write the next chapter for our pipeline. If you are inspired by the possibilities, don’t hesitate in submitting an application today!
Competitive salary and benefits package available.
Where can I find out more?
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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.